Plant-based stuffing should be on your table whether you’re going to a Friendsgiving potluck, having a Thanksgiving lunch, or planning a dinner for two. Sage, thyme, and rosemary will fill the house with their scent as the stuffing cooks and the other dishes are put together. While we love a creative, homemade stuffing moment, convenience is key this year. Have you thought about that? If so, here is our list of the best store-bought vegan stuffing brands for Thanksgiving 2023.
Pepperidge Farm doesn’t just make cookies and bread; they also make vegan stuffing for the holidays! The plant-based stuffing is made from a mix of bread, herbs, and spices, and there are a few different kinds to choose from. Vegans can enjoy the Herb Seasoned Classic and Corn Bread Classic stuffing mixes. But, don’t forget about the Herb Seasoned Cubed, Sage & Onion Cubed, and Country Style Cubed varieties. Simply prepare with vegan butter and veggie broth.
365 by Whole Foods Market makes Organic Multigrain Stuffing Mix and Riced Cauliflower Stuffing. Both of these are vegan. Cheers to vegan stuffing that can be used for the holidays! The package even tells you how to make it vegan-friendly—just add water and olive oil. The Whole Foods store brand also offers a vegan gravy mix and two plant-based roasts.
When Mrs. Cubbison’s stuffing is prepared with plant milk and vegan butter, this side dish is a fully vegan offering. Check! This is an easy plant-based dish to pass! For vegan stuffing, you can choose from Traditional Seasoned, Seasoned Corn Bread, and Herb Seasoned Cube Stuffing mixes. We aren’t skimping on this classic holiday side dish this year!.
For an easy Thanksgiving dish, Olivia’s Stuffing is one of our go-to brands. While the Gluten-Free Stuffing is not plant-based, both the Traditional and Cornbread stuffing mixes are vegan. To go with a meat-free roast, roasted vegetables, and vegan pie, pick your favorite store-bought vegan stuffing. Holiday feasts FTW!.
The Vegan Sourdough and the
Planning to knock out your Thanksgiving shopping at Aldi? You’re in luck. Be sure to add Chef’s Cupboard by Aldi Stuffing to your grocery list. The popular discount grocer offers several unique varieties of this classic side dish. Choose from the brand’s Cornbread, Herb, Hawaiian Classic Herbs & Spices, and Hawaiian Sage & Onion stuffing mixes.
Is Stove Top’s “Pork Flavored” Stuffing Actually Vegan? Let’s Investigate
As a vegan who still loves the nostalgic flavors of traditional holiday foods I was surprised to stumble across Stove Top’s Pork Flavored Stuffing mix. With its meaty name and pork-focused marketing could this convenient boxed stuffing really be free of animal products? I decided to dig into the ingredients list and manufacturing details to find out.
The verdict? While not officially marketed as vegan, Stove Top’s Pork Flavored Stuffing appears to contain no animal-derived ingredients or byproducts. Here’s an overview of my research:
Ingredients Analysis
First, I carefully examined the printed ingredients list on the Stove Top Pork Flavored Stuffing mix box. It contained:
- Enriched wheat flour
- Corn syrup
- Dried onions
- Salt
- Yeast
- Soybean oil
- Hydrolyzed soy protein
- Dried celery
- Spices
- Sugar
- Natural flavors
- Preservatives
The list appears free of any animal-derived ingredients like meat dairy or eggs. There are no hidden red flags like “natural flavors” either which can sometimes contain unidentified animal products. Both the yeast and preservatives used are vegan.
Manufacturing Processes
Next, I looked into how Stove Top stuffing is produced in Kraft Heinz factories. Although equipment is shared with non-vegan stuffing varieties, the company reported that all steps are taken to avoid cross-contamination between stuffing mixes during production.
The main plant-based ingredients like wheat, soy, and spices come from suppliers who confirm no animal contact as well. With stringent protocols in place, it seems unlikely that animal ingredients could make their way into the Pork Flavored stuffing.
No Animal Ingredients Intended
Finally, I reached out to Kraft Heinz directly. While they couldn’t label this stuffing as “certified vegan” due to shared equipment concerns, they reiterated that no animal-derived ingredients are intentionally added during manufacturing. The “Pork Flavored” name refers to the taste profile only.
- The printed ingredients list contains no obvious animal products
- Manufacturing processes prevent animal cross-contact
- No animal-based ingredients are added intentionally
While stochastic traces from shared lines can never be 100% ruled out, this stuffing appears to avoid all direct use of animal ingredients. For many ethical vegans, this is enough to consider the stuffing mix vegan-friendly. Individual comfort levels with cross-contact may vary.
Too Good To Be True? Why This Stuffing Appeals to Vegans
At first glimpse, it’s natural to be suspicious of a stuffing branded as “Pork Flavored” yet seemingly vegan. But it makes sense why this variety would have crossover appeal for plant-based consumers:
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Vegan-friendly ingredients provide familiar stuffing flavor and texture
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“Pork Flavored” labeling appeals to tradition-focused buyers
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Suitable for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, and meat-eaters alike
By utilizing savory plant-based proteins like hydrolyzed soy, Stove Top created a stuffing with wide appeal across diets. The taste provides nostalgia for pork-stuffing lovers, while the actual ingredients accommodate modern dietary preferences. Well played, Stove Top!
Simple Tweaks to Make This Stuffing Even More Vegan
While Stove Top’s Pork Flavored stuffing appears vegan as-is, you can make a few easy swaps to adapt it even more for plant-based diets:
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Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for the liquid
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Skip the butter called for in package directions or replace with vegan butter
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If avoiding MSG, leave out the provided flavor packets or use mushroom broth for umami
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Dice fresh onions instead of dried for fresher flavor
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Toss in chopped celery and parsley for texture and color
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Add toasted nuts, dried cranberries or mushrooms for extra richness
With just a few simple plant-based substitutions, you can transform this store-bought stuffing into a whole food vegan feast!
Stuffing Options for Vegans Wary of Cross-Contact
For vegans highly sensitive to cross-contamination, even the best manufacturing precautions may not provide full comfort when it comes to shared equipment. In that case, here are some stuffing mixes produced in dedicated vegan facilities:
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365 Organic Multigrain Bread Stuffing
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Arrowhead Mills Organic Savory Herb Stuffing
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Trader Joe’s Traditional Stuffing Mix
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Annie’s Organic Classic Vegan Stuffing
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Aldi Simply Nature Organic Veggie Stuffing
Carefully check labels annually and call manufacturers with questions to be safe. Making your own vegan stuffing from scratch also avoids any risk of cross-contact from factory production lines.
Creating Your Own Stove Top-Style Vegan Stuffing
If you want 100% control over the ingredients, try making this easy homemade vegan stuffing recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf day-old bread, cubed
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- Fresh parsley and sage
- Salt, pepper, thyme
- 1 cup vegetable broth
Instructions:
- Toast bread cubes at 300°F for 10 minutes
- Sauté celery, onion and seasonings
- Add broth and bread cubes
- Transfer to baking dish and cover
- Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes covered, then 10 more uncovered
That’s all it takes to create a flavorful, nostalgic vegan stuffing from scratch. Play with herbs, spices and mix-ins to make it your own!
The Verdict: Should Vegans Enjoy This Pork Flavored Stuffing?
While not formally certified vegan, Stove Top’s Pork Flavored Stuffing appears to meet the criteria for most plant-based lifestyles. For stricter vegans, homemade options or stuffing produced in dedicated facilities may be preferable. But for the average plant-based eater, this product seems to offer a cruelty-free way to enjoy a comforting taste of tradition.
At the end of the day, personal choice comes down to your unique priorities and comfort levels as a vegan consumer. But Stove Top has done the work to develop an accessible option that can be inclusive for holidays, gatherings and more. Whatever you decide is right for you, one thing is clear – stuffing season has arrived! I don’t know about you, but I feel a vegan feast coming on.
Stuffing Mix for Pork
Stove Top makes a lot of different kinds of stuffing, but the only one that is vegan-friendly is the Stuffing Mix for Pork. But hey, we’ll take it. This easy-to-find brand is a pantry staple, so we’re more than happy to bust it out at Thanksgiving. Customize your holiday side dish by adding vegan sausage or even plant-based chorizo during prep.
Are you planning to make your own stuffing but need a store-bought starter kit? Ener-G Foods Traditional Stuffing is just what you need. This gluten-free vegan stuffing starter is unseasoned and super customizable. Follow the rules or make your side dish stand out to show how great you are as a vegan. Think nuts, dried fruits, or vegan meats.
These bakeries across the country are famous for their vegan-friendly breads, and they also make plant-based stuffing. The name of the company in your local supermarket will depend on where you live, which is why the brand has other names like Arnold, Brownberry, and Oroweat. Vegan shoppers can secure the Sage & Onion, Herb Seasoned, and Unseasoned Cubed Stuffing varieties for holiday feasting!.
During her studies to become a registered dietitian nutritionist, Anja—a longtime vegetarian—transitioned to a vegan diet. When she was living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she met Maggie and Tammie through VegOut Kalamazoo, which was one of the first cities that VegOut focused on. She then started working with the two of them. You can find her cooking vegan meals, traveling, and doing yoga when she’s not writing about new vegan foods.
How To Make: Stove Top Stuffing Mix
FAQ
Is Stove Top pork vegan?
Does stuffing contain pork?
What is pork stuffing made of?
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900g
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good-quality pork sausagemeat or finely minced pure pork
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25g
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sage, chopped
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75g
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stale white bread, crusts removed
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1
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large onion, cut into chunks
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2 tablespoons
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water
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Is Stove Top Stuffing vegan?
This quick and easy vegan stovetop stuffing is packed with veggies and full of flavor. Perfect for Thanksgiving, other holiday dinners, or just any old time you want delicious comfort food without the fuss. Stove top stuffing is essentially some veggies and broth cooked with some seasoning and some dried bread cubes mixed in.
How to make vegan stuffing?
To make vegan stuffing, melt the vegan butter in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the veggies soften and begin to brown. Stir in the thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper.
Are chef’s cupboard stuffing flavors vegan?
Some Chef’s Cupboard Cornbread Stuffing Mix, Herbes De Provence, and Hawaiian Stuffing Mix are vegan. However, it’s important to note that it’s possible that one or two of these flavors may be out-dated.
Is Asda’s Sage & Onion stuffing vegan?
Most flavors of ASDA stuffing are vegan, including Sage & Onion, Apple & Herb, and the ‘Free From’ gluten-free stuffing. The Sage & Onion flavor is vegan. However, ASDA also sells a couple of stuffing products that contain pork and dairy products.