Brown Rice Turkey Stuffing

Elevate your holiday table with this wholesome and flavor-packed Brown Rice Turkey Stuffing! This recipe combines the nutty goodness of brown rice with tender ground turkey, sautéed vegetables, and the bold, aromatic flavors of fresh sage, thyme, and parsley. Sweet pops of dried cranberries and the optional crunch of toasted slivered almonds create a delightful contrast in texture and taste. Simmered with savory chicken or turkey broth, this gluten-free stuffing is as versatile as it is delicious—serve it as a hearty side dish or use it to stuff your turkey for a healthier twist on a classic favorite. Perfect for Thanksgiving, this high-protein, nutrient-rich stuffing will satisfy every guest at your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 0.25 cup slivered almonds (optional), toasted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the brown rice under cold water to remove excess starch. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Once fully cooked, remove the turkey from the pan and set it aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the onion, celery, and carrot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 5

Return the cooked turkey to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Add the cooked brown rice, chicken or turkey broth, parsley, sage, thyme, dried cranberries, slivered almonds (if using), salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.

Step 7

Cook the mixture over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stuffing is heated through and the flavors have melded together.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 9

Serve the stuffing as a side dish or use it to stuff your turkey or other poultry before roasting.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1932.8 grams (1932.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1653

Total Fat 77.20g	99%
Saturated Fat 16.10g	81%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 322mg	107%
Sodium 3702mg	161%
Total Carbohydrate 132.60g	48%
Dietary Fiber 18.80g	67%
Total Sugars 59.20g
Protein 106.50g	213%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 395mg	30%
Iron 12mg	69%
Potassium 1766mg	38%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.1%

Protein: 25.8%

Carbs: 32.1%