Vegetarian Turkey and Beef Stuffing for Christmas Dinner

When it comes to traditional meals such as Christmas celebrations, stuffing for turkey or beef tenderloin is a food that has a ritual of preparation. Conventionally, the stuffing is cooked inside the turkey, which is exactly how it earned its name. This allows the filling to absorb all the juicy goodness of the turkey meat, but the recipe we’re sharing with you today is a vegetarian filling that can be used on both turkey and beef in your holiday celebrations.

As we have mentioned, the filling is a preparation that is cooked inside the turkey, however, outside the turkey, it is known as a dressing. Although for many it is still a filling, even if you eat it together with the meat or not, this preparation is already by itself, a tradition at Christmas and cannot be absent.

Vegetarian stuffing for turkey and loin for Christmas dinner

The recipe that we will share with you today is a vegetarian filling for turkey and loin, it can be for any of these meats, and if you are a vegetarian, do not worry that this Christmas filling contains absolutely nothing animal.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups French bread cubes.
• 5 tablespoons coconut oil at room temperature.
• 3 garlic cloves, minced.
• 1 onion, diced.
• 2 celery stalks diced.
• 1 cup of apple peeled and diced.
• 1 cup of chopped olives.
• 1/3 cup dry white wine.
• 1/4 cup dried sweetened blueberries or black raisins.
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves.
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves.
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves.
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs.
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped.
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper.

For the turkey:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature.
• 1 garlic clove, minced.
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves.
• 1 teaspoon lemon peel.
• 1 turkey breast (organic and hormone-free) of 1 kg boneless and skinless.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper.

How to prepare the vegetarian filling for your Christmas dinner?

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
2. Lightly grease a baking dish of approximately 10 “x 14” or coat with non-stick spray.
3. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 10-12 minutes; set aside.
4. Melt the coconut oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Add the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced, about 2 minutes. Add the blueberries, parsley, sage, and thyme. Remove from heat and let rest to soften the blueberries, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the bread, walnuts and olives. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the vegetable broth until absorbed and well combined.
7. Spread bread mixture into prepared baking pan and sprinkle with bread crumbs.
8. In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic, thyme, and lemon zest.
9. Using your fingers, carefully loosen the skin from the breast meat, spreading the butter mixture under the skin. Secure the skin over the butter with wooden picks. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Place the turkey on top of the bread mixture. Put in the oven and bake until the turkey is fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 70 degrees Celsius, approximately 40-45 minutes.
11. Serve immediately.

As we have mentioned, this filling, being vegetarian, can be eaten with meat or accompanied by a meat substitute, so if you are vegan or vegetarian, you already have your Christmas filling to enjoy in your family celebration.