This rice stuffing recipe is the perfect side dish for Christmas! It's made with nuts and currants for the perfect texture and flavor combo.
We make this rice stuffing as a Greek holiday tradition in my family. It's easy to adapt for both vegetarian and meat eaters so everyone is happy!
This post was originally published on 12/17/2014
Between this rice stuffing and my vegan spanakopita recipe, I don't need anything else on my holiday table! These remind me of my childhood and brings me so much comfort.
Ingredients
When I think of the holidays, this stuffing is top of my list. I didn't grow up eating traditional bread stuffing, my parents are immigrants so our holidays always had a Greek twist, and my mom's stuffing was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.
Here is all you need to make this awesome rice stuffing:
- Brown rice medley - long grain brown rice, or mixed rice also work, or you can create a wild rice stuffing with a wild rice blend.
- Vegetable broth - you can simply use water, but the stuffing won't have as much flavor. Choose a low sodium veggie broth if needed. If you do not need vegan stuffing you can also use chicken broth.
- Seedless currants - these tart berries give the rice stuffing an incredible pop of flavor. Feel free to substitute them of another dried fruit of your choice.
- White cooking wine - if you do not want to use wine, swap it our for vegetable broth.
- Onion - sweet or yellow onions are best for their mild flavors to not overpower the other ingredients.
- Garlic cloves - fresh garlic gives you the best results, jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch.
- Celery - not only does this add a nice crunch, but the aromatics are crucial in any stuffing recipe.
- Parsley - fresh herbs add a beautiful bright component to the dish, both in color and flavor.
- Nuts- because you can never have too much crunchy texture! We love pine nuts and slivered almonds, but pecans, walnuts, or cashews would be great too.
- Sea salt and Ground black pepper
How to Make Greek Rice Stuffing
This gluten free rice stuffing has a few steps but totally worth the amazing end result!
- Partially cook the rice in a saucepan.
- Sauté the other ingredients in a large skillet with olive oil, butter, or veggie broth.
- Add in the rice, stir, and transfer to a baking dish.
- Bake and serve!
What to Serve with Rice Stuffing
Since we make this dressing during the holidays, I have loads of other side dishes, and a few main dishes, that we eat this with. Here are some of our favorites:
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Dairy Free Green Bean Casserole
- Vegan Broccoli Casserole
- Gluten Free Vegan Stuffing
- Creamy Vegan Mashed Potatoes with Gluten Free Gravy
- Healthy Cranberry Sauce
- Vegan Broccoli Salad with Cranberries
- Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes
- Smoky Maple Carrots with Lemon Thyme Drizzle
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Vegan Scalloped Cauliflower
- Peas with Scallions and Dill
- Greek Vegan Moussaka
- Vegan Lentil Meatloaf
- Sautéed Spinach
Rice Stuffing Variations
This recipe is based on my family's version. There are many different types of rice stuffing with all sorts of flavor combinations. As long as the rice and liquid ratios stay the same, you can adjust the mix ins to fit your taste.
Get creative and try adding in or substituting for any of these ingredients in your gluten-free stuffing:
- Dill
- Thyme
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Mushrooms
- Carrots
- Peppers
- Apples
- Bacon - use Coconut Bacon or Mushroom Bacon to keep it vegan!
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Dried cranberries
- Pomegranate arils
- Parmesan - this Homemade Vegan Parmesan grates wonderfully!
How to Prepare Stuffing in Advance
Since the holidays are usually filled with craziness, it's great to have a few things you can make the days before. This Greek rice stuffing is one of those recipes. In fact, I'd say that it almost tastes better the next day!
Here is what you can do to prep ahead of time:
- Chop all of the veggies and herbs.
- Partially cook the rice.
- You can also follow all of the directions up to baking, cover the dish and refrigerate. When you're ready to serve take it out about 20 minutes early then pop it in the oven.
Storage and Reheating Suggestions
- Seal the rice stuffing in an airtight container.
- It will keep in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- You can also keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- When you are ready to eat it again, it can easily be heated in the microwave.
- Or you can put it in a casserole dish and warm it in the oven. You may need to add some broth so it doesn't dry out, but don't put too much liquid because it will get mushy.
History of Greek Rice Stuffing
In Greece there is no such thing as Thanksgiving, so stuffing is always made for Christmas. This particular version is one that my yiayia (grandmother in Greek) made and my own mom adapted throughout the years.
Growing up my mom didn't have a lot of money, in fact there were times they weren't sure if food would last long enough, so when it came time for Christmas they used what they had. This stuffing used the parts of the turkey you wouldn't eat otherwise, liver and giblets.
I know, not my idea of yum. LOL But such was life in a poor Greek village. Other people were able to use ground beef and chestnuts, but those cost money.
My mom's version started out using it to stuff our thanksgiving turkey as we adapted to American traditions, and then at Christmas she would make it as a side dish to lamb (another Greek Christmas tradition).
As time went on it has evolved into a purely vegetarian side dish. It's now at the table every Christmas, and often Thanksgiving as well, which means we always have something we love to eat!
More Vegan Rice Recipes
Rice is one of the most versatile grains! You can really dress it up with any flavor and it's amazing. Here are a few more plant based rice recipes that are regulars in our house:
Rice Stuffing Recipe for Christmas
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown rice medley , and wild, brown or mixed rice works
- 3 ½ cups veggie broth to cook rice , you can also use water but won’t be as flavorful (use low sodium if needed)
- 6 tablespoons seedless currants
- 1 cup white cooking wine , you can cub veggie broth
- 1 cup chopped sweet or yellow onion
- 3 garlic cloves , finely chopped
- ¼ cup finely chopped celery
- drizzle your favorite oil for sautéing , or use about ½ cup broth if oil free, may need more if it gets too dry (low sodium if needed)
- ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
- ½- ¾ teaspoon sea salt , adjust for preference
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup pine nuts , you can sub another nut like walnuts
- ¼ cup slivered almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Soak the currants in the wine (or veggie broth).
- Partially cook the rice in veggie broth or water, you can use a rice cooker but watch it carefully so it doesn’t over cook. If using the stove top method, watch it so it doesn’t burn. Cook for about ⅔ as long as the directions state.
- Sauté onions, garlic and celery with a drizzle of oil or the broth in a pan over medium heat until browned. If using broth, use about half the veggie broth to start then add more as needed.
- Add parsley, salt and pepper and sauté a few more minutes.
- Add currants with the wine/veggie broth, pine nuts and almonds. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Add rice and simmer for a few more minutes. Add more veggie broth if it’s too dry.
- Serve as is or transfer to a baking dish and cover with foil, watching so it doesn’t get too dry. Bake for 5-10 minutes.
Notes
- Soaking the currants in white wine really helps with flavor but you can also do veggie broth if you don’t use wine.
- Servings vary between 8-10 depending on what else you are serving.
- Precook rice and chop veggies/herbs to be ready when you make it.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Debbie Argentos Vaughan
This recipe looks just like the rice dressing my grand father made except his had wine in it. It also didn’t have some of the other ingredients you put in it. I wonder how much wine I would use to make it?
veggiesdontbite
Hi Debbie! If you look at this recipe it has wine in it as well!! Hope you give it a shot!
Charmaine
Loved this recipe... added chickpeas to make a main course out of it and my hubby loved it !!!
veggiesdontbite
I love the addition of the chickpeas!! Thank you so much for letting me know.
Chelsee
This looks so good! I never thought of doing a rice stuffing instead of bread. I will have to give this a try!
Mina
This sounds very similar to the stuffing my papou made! his had chestnuts in it too. I'm going to try this this year!
Mina
veggiesdontbite
Yes! Many people do make it with chestnuts but my mom's family did not. Let me know if you try it!
Emily Kemp
This stuffing looks so healthy and delicious, definitely on the list to try this year!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen
This stuffing sounds wonderful and like such a fun holiday side Sophia! Can't believe that the holidays are so soon!
veggiesdontbite
I know! I'm kind of freaking out! LOL It's a great side for Christmas!
Beth @ Eat Within Your Means
Definitely putting this on the must make list!
veggiesdontbite
You should you should! It's so yum! Thanks lady!
Trinity Bourne
This sounds so good. I really love what you've done with all these ingredients.... they SO want to dance together. Yummy!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Trinity! You are too kind! They taste really good together, I grew up with this so it always reminds me of home.
Becky Striepe
This looks so simple and so delicious!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Becky! It is!
Jenn
This sounds delicious!! A nice change from the heavy bread stuffings!
veggiesdontbite
Yes! This is what I grew up with so I've never been a huge bread stuffing fan. It's my favorite!
FoodieWineLover - Gina (Martino) Zarcadoolas
Fantastic!!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much!
Dina
It doesn't only looks delicious, it is delicious. The healthiest vegetarian stuffing I ever had.
veggiesdontbite
I agree! Thanks for making it all my life!
The Vegan 8
It looks delicious Sophia! This is the same rice blend I use to make my Unfried Rice, I love the different textures of it too. Love the addition of wine, makes everything taste better, lol! Also love the addition of the pine nuts, they are an expensive nut, so I don't use them often, but they sure are yummy!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! Isn't that rice medley awesome?! I'm a sucker for al dente texture and this medley turns out perfect every time. And wine does make everything taste better, LOL! I can't wait to be able to drink it again and not just have it in my food, ha! Pine nuts sure aren't cheap, but add such great flavor. I definitely save them for special dishes like this as well!
savvylou
This looks delicious!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much!