6 delicious Christmas stuffing recipes

The festive season is well and truly upon us and so what better time to get planning for one of the biggest meals of the day – yes you guessed it, Christmas Day! No matter what centrepiece you go for (turkey, chicken, nut roast), I think we can all agree that stuffing is a Christmas day feast essential.

We’ve got you covered with 6 delicious Christmas stuffing recipes, with veggie and vegan options too!

The classic Christmas stuffing

Serves 8

This classic Christmas stuffing is an all-round winner and a good one to have in your recipe repertoire. The cranberries bring all the Christmas spirit, combined with classic sausage meat and herbs.

Ingredients:

• 1 red onion finely chopped
• 200g sausage meat (you can buy sausage meat as it is or squeeze out of sausage casing)
• 150g cranberries
• 1 tsp mixed herbs
• 1 slice of brown bread crushed into breadcrumbs
• ½ grated apple
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Preheat oven 200c/180 fan.
2. Gently fry the chopped onion in olive oil until soft.
3. Tip these into a bowl and then add all the other ingredients, and combine fully. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Transfer to a baking tray either as one or if you prefer, roll it into individual balls.
5. Cook for 40 mins and then leave to rest for 5 mins after.

The veggie Christmas stuffing

Serves 8

Veggies and meat-eaters alike will enjoy this simple yet delicious veggie stuffing. It’s the apricots which really make it pop.

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions finely chopped
• 3 large slices of brioche bread – crushed into breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves of garlic crushed
• 100g dried apricots
• 2 large eggs
• 100g hazelnuts
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• Handful of chopped sage

Method:

• Preheat oven 200c/180 fan.
• Gently fry the onions and garlic, careful not to burn.
• Take off the heat and put in a bowl.
• Put the apricots, bread, garlic and hazelnuts in a food processor and blend.
• Add to the onions and then add the herbs, sage and eggs.
• Mix together to combine.
• Oven in balls or altogether for 18-20 mins.

The vegan Christmas stuffing

Serves 8

This vegan recipe lets the flavour do the talking – and uses cranberries to bring that festive flavour to the forefront.

Ingredients:

• 2 red onions
• 1 green lentils
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 50g dried cranberries
• 50g pistachios
• 1 tbsp dried sage
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 30g dried apricot
• 2 slices of sourdough bread (vegan)
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Preheat oven 200c/180 fan.
2.  Gently fry down the onions and add to a bowl.
3.  In a food processor add the nuts, cranberries and sourdough until blitzed.
4.  Add the lentils, spices and herbs to the food processor and blitz again.
5.  Transfer to a baking tray and cook in balls or together for 25 minutes.

The fancy Christmas stuffing

Serves 8

We’re calling this fancy with the added pancetta which bring a lovely smokey vibe and really compliment pigs in blanket.

Ingredients:

• 150g pancetta
• 2 white onions chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 large slices of sourdough
• Handful chopped sage
• 1 egg
• 50g pistachios
• ½ apple grated
• 200g sausage meat

Method:

1. Preheat oven 200c/180 fan.
2. Chop the pancetta and fry in oil for 2-3 mins. Remove and then fry off the onions and garlic. Add all of these to a bowl.
3. Add the pistachios and bread to a food processor and blend.
4. Add the pistachios and bread to the onion and pancetta mix, and then add the apple, sage and egg. Add the sausage meat and fully combine.
5. Cook for 35-45 minutes.

The 5 ingredient Christmas stuffing balls

Serves 8

Quick, easy and no fuss Christmas stuffing.

Ingredients:

• 200g sausage meat
• 100g hazelnuts
• 1 red onion
• 1 slice brown bread
• 1 tbsp mixed herbs

Method:

1. Preheat oven 200c/180 fan.
2. Gently fry down the onions and add to a bowl.
3. Blitz the bread and hazelnuts in a food processor and add to onions.
4. Add sausage meat and combine all with the herbs.
5. Cook in balls or together for 35 – 40 minutes.

The nutty Christmas stuffing

Serves 8

Hazelnuts and walnuts bring this nutty Christmas stuffing all the festive vibes.

Ingredients:

• 1 red onion
• 2 cloves garlic crushed or finely chopped
• 100g pistachios
• 50g hazelnuts
• 75g walnuts
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp oregano
• 200g sausage meat
• 2 slices of wholemeal bread

Method:

1. Preheat oven 200c/180 fan.
2. Gently fry down the onions and crushed garlic and add to a bowl.
3. Put the nuts and bread in a food processor and blend.
4. Add to the bowl with onion and garlic and then add the herbs, and spices. Mix until fully combined.
5. Put in a baking tray and bake for 35 minutes until golden.