Easy Sourdough Stuffing (Low FODMAP, Lactose-Free)

Enjoy a classic holiday side dish without the tummy troubles with this Easy Sourdough Stuffing recipe! Incredibly delicious and a must-have side dish for any Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table, this sourdough stuffing is low FODMAP as well as lactose-free. Please note: it is not gluten-free.

Hey, is that 'real' bread?!?!

I'll admit that it's a bit shocking for a Paleo blog to feature a recipe starring a grain-based, gluten-containing bread like sourdough. I thought about developing a stuffing recipe without bread. However, as stuffing / dressing is one of my favourite holiday side dishes, I just couldn't bring myself to change it so drastically. A little bread every once in awhile on special occasions may not work for everyone, but it's okay for me. While I may create a Paleo bread recipe that might work for stuffing someday, I haven't yet, and I would like to eat stuffing at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner before then.

Low FODMAP Bread Options

Even though I write mostly Paleo recipes, I can tolerate and eat some gluten-free grains and a few commercially produced gluten-free products containing gluten-free grains. I started creating a stuffing recipe using store-bought gluten-free bread, but I haven't found a low FODMAP gluten-free bread that I like locally. Plus, the gluten-free breads that I tested didn't work the greatest for stuffing as they easily fall apart.

I've learned that gluten-free does not always equal low FODMAP as gluten is not a FODMAP; rather, the grains that contain gluten, such as wheat, barley and rye, are typically high in the FODMAP fructans. Consequently, the recommended portion sizes for bread containing wheat, barley and rye by Monash University are typically low, as in 1 slice per serving, but portion sizes vary from bread type to bread type.

Certain types of sourdough bread provide a different story. Briefly put, while still containing wheat and thereby fructans (and, of course, gluten), the traditional process used to create sourdough bread breaks down the FODMAP fructans found in wheat, allowing some people (not everyone) with IBS to better tolerate sourdough bread.

According to Monash Univerisity's Low FODMAP Diet App, white wheat sourdough bread created using the traditional process is considered tolerable for most individuals with IBS in servings of up to 2 slices, or 109 grams. To test my tummy, I tried a few pieces of white wheat sourdough upfront and did okay, which is what led me to feature sourdough in this stuffing recipe, but everyone is different. If you have concerns about how your body might react to sourdough bread, talk to your doctor or dietitian before making this recipe.

Low FODMAP Bread Resources

The topic of low FODMAP bread is a complicated animal. As I am not a registered doctor or dietitian, I rely on information provided by such professionals to create my recipes. I've found the following resources on low FODMAP bread and sourdough bread to be helpful:

• Gluten and the Low FODMAP Diet - Monash University
• Choosing a Low FODMAP Bread - Fun Without FODMAPs
• How to Choose Low FODMAP Bread - FODMAP Everyday
• What Sourdough Bread is Low FODMAP? - A Little Bit Yummy

Can this be stuffed inside a turkey?

This sourdough stuffing recipe is not written to be stuffed into a turkey; rather, it is intended to be cooked outside of a turkey in a baking dish. Technically it should be named "Sourdough Dressing" but as most people call dressing "Stuffing," I have used the term "Stuffing."

According to a variety of different reputable health sources, the safest and most optimal way to cook Thanksgiving or Christmas stuffing is outside the bird in a baking dish. If you need that sense of it having been cooked inside the bird, I suggest serving it with turkey drippings or gravy drizzled on top.

Necessary Equipment

The equipment I used to make this Easy Sourdough Stuffing recipe includes:

• Stove top and oven
• 8" x 11" glass baking dish (2-quarts)
• Large baking sheet
• Large spatula
• Extra large mixing bowl
• Large skillet
• Stirring spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Ladle

How to Prepare Easy Sourdough Stuffing

Preheat and Toast

To start, I preheat my oven to 350° F and grease a 2-quart baking dish with ghee. While the oven is preheating, I chop up my white wheat sourdough bread into 1" pieces. Than, I spread it evenly (more or less) on a large baking sheet. Once the oven is preheated, I put my baking sheet on the center oven rack and toast the bread for 20 minutes, flipping as best I can about halfway through using a large spatula. Once the bread is toasted, I remove the baking pan from the oven - leaving the oven on - and add it to an extra large mixing bowl.

I choose to toast the bread instead of letting it sit out to become stale. I've found this to be a more consistent way to get it stiff enough to be ideal for stuffing. If the bread is not stiff enough before you pour on the liquid, it will fall apart and become mush.

Chop & Sauté

While the bread is toasting, I chop the celery and carrots. Then, I put a large skillet on medium heat and add 3 tablespoon of garlic-infused olive oil. Once the skillet is hot, I add the celery and carrots and sauté for 3 minutes. Then, I stir in the dried herbs - thyme, sage and rosemary - and allow them to sauté for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant. I then stir in the ghee and stir until it is melted. Lastly, I pour in the chicken bone broth, add salt and pepper and stir until evenly mixed.

Mix & Drizzle

After the broth mixture is complete, I return to my bowl of bread and add the chopped scallions, tossing with my hands until more or less combined. Then, I drizzle the broth mixture from the skillet over the bread. I use a ladle to do this if pouring directly from the pan proves too difficult. Then, I gently stir the bread mixture until it is evenly covered in broth. Try to avoid squishing or ripping the bread while stirring.

Bake & Serve

Finally, I pour the coated bread into my greased baking dish and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. The stuffing should be crispy and golden on the outside while remaining moist on the inside. I serve it at my Thanksgiving, Christmas or any holiday table with the low FODMAP option of my Instant Pot "Garlic" Mashed Potatoes (Paleo, Whole30, Low FODMAP Option) and Instant Pot Glazed Carrots (Paleo, Low FODMAP, Refined Sugar-Free).

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