Quinoa Stuffing Recipe

This healthy, super-food stuffing tastes great and as an added bonus is gluten free! This recipe will satisfy both those looking for a healthier dish on the Thanksgiving table and those who are only considering flavor this holiday season. Quinoa is one of the most nutritious grains on the market and pairing it with extra spices and veggies makes it a fantastic and nutritious substitute for your stuffing this holiday season.

You can cook this stuffing inside a turkey or bake it in the oven. The choice is yours! This recipe makes enough stuffing to fill a 10 to 12 lb. turkey.

How to make Quinoa Stuffing

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 4 slices bacon
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 2-3 stalks organic celery (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic or 2 garlic cloves
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 unpeeled apple (chopped)
• ½ lb. Italian or turkey sausage
• ½ cup chopped pecans (toasted)
• ¼ cup parsley (chopped)
• 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme or 1-½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary or ¾ teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 teaspoons dried sage
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Place quinoa and chicken stock in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until done. Set aside.
2. Place bacon in a large skillet and cook until browned, flipping at intervals. Remove from pan and place on a paper towel to drain.
3. In the same skillet over medium-high heat, sauté onions, celery and garlic in bacon drippings for 5 minutes.
4. Add butter, cranberries, apple, sausage, and seasonings and cook an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring to break up the sausage, or until the sausage is cooked through.
5. Stir in cooked quinoa, toasted pecans, parsley and crumbled bacon.

In or Out of the Turkey Options

1. Stuff the turkey (or roasting chicken) if you are cooking it immediately or place the stuffing in the refrigerator overnight and stuff the turkey just prior to cooking.
2. Place the stuffing in a baking dish sprayed with a nonstick spray and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes alongside the turkey.