Gluten Free Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe with Sausage

Traditional stuffing has a special taste that we all know & love– but you can replicate that flavor with just a few ingredients (celery, onion, herbs & spices) while changing up other components for a more nutritious side dish. This Gluten Free Wild Rice Stuffing recipe with Sausage uses wild rice and quinoa as alternatives to white bread in traditional stuffing. These swaps make this recipe more nutritious with more fiber and nutrients while giving a great texture that doesn’t get soggy!

Key Features of this Gluten Free Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe:

• Easy to make ahead – stores well in fridge up to 4 days or in freezer up to 2-3 months
• Gluten free
• Packed with vegetables for added fiber and nutrients
• Quinoa & Wild Rice are nutrient-dense complex carbohydrates ingredients (more on that below)

Additional Notes for Preparing This Gluten Free Wild Rice Stuffing:

• If you don’t have poultry seasoning, you can use a combination of herbs and spices commonly found in this seasoning. Try using dried sage and thyme (main flavors), as well as rosemary, nutmeg, and black pepper.
• Add in dried cranberries or diced apples for a sweet flair.
• Sausage is optional. I used pre-cooked chicken sausage links in this recipe. But cooked ground sausage tastes delicious and mixes well with the rest of the stuffing.

What to Look for When Buying Wild Rice

• Varieties: Wild rice comes in different varieties. You can choose whatever variety suits your preference. I like to use Lundberg Wild Rice because it offers a variety of black, brown, red, and wild rice. This brand can be found in most stores. Trader Joe’s also sells organic wild rice.
• Quality: Look for high-quality wild rice and be sure to check the “best if used by” dates to make sure the product hasn’t been sitting on the shelf for a long time. Good quality wild rice should have a rich, nutty flavor and a chewy texture when cooked.
• Certifications: If you’re looking for organic or non-GMO be sure to check the packaging for those relevant certifications.

What is Special About Wild Rice?

Wild rice is a type of grass seed that is native to North America. It is known for its distinctive nutty flavor, chewy texture, and beautiful colors. It is a nutritious whole grain which makes it a great source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and various nutrients (especially manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc). It is also a great option for gluten free diets. Eating carbs that are from whole or minimally processed foods means more fiber to help you to better balance your blood sugar in order to feel satisfied and fuller longer. This allows you to eat less while staying satisfied and still reaping the many benefits from this nutrient-dense food!

This makes Gluten Free Wild Rice Stuffing a perfect match for our metabolic health (blood sugar balance, weight management, hormones, etc). To obtain and maintain health, our body needs us to feed it foods that are rich in nutrients (nutrient-dense) and provide sufficient protein, healthy fat, and fiber. If you want to learn more check out my free Protein, Fat, & Fiber Guide below.

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Recipe blog written by Jennifer Franzen, RDN | edited & reviewed by Victoria Peck-Gray, RDN