Healthy Turkey Stuffing

(5.0)
By Judy Capodanno
Updated 8/21/2025
Dietitian Reviewed: Jane Schwartz, RDN, CLT
Approved for These Diets:
Heart Healthy | Diabetic

This healthy Turkey Stuffing recipe is a lighter take on a holiday classic, made with whole wheat bread, fresh sage, and tender vegetables simmered in low-sodium broth. With just 143 calories and 5g of fat per serving, this sage stuffing for turkey delivers big flavor without weighing down your holiday plate. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving side dish that can be prepared ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld together while saving you precious time on the big day. Whether paired with roasted turkey or chicken, this dish is festive, flavorful, and heart-healthy.

If you love this lightened-up stuffing, you’ll also enjoy our collection of healthy Thanksgiving side dishes. Discover even more festive favorites to complete your holiday table with ease.

Total Time
45 minutes
Servings
10
Calories
143

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Turkey Stuffing Recipe

Easy Sage Stuffing Recipe for Turkey That’s Lower in Sodium

This turkey stuffing recipe brings all the cozy holiday flavor you crave, with a healthier twist that doesn’t cut corners on taste. Made with whole wheat bread for extra fiber, fresh and dried sage for classic Thanksgiving aroma, and a mix of carrots, celery, and onion softened in buttery broth, it hits all the right notes. With only 143 calories and 363 milligrams of sodium per serving, it’s a lighter, healthier option that still delivers on texture and flavor. Whether you serve it on the side or use it as a sage stuffing for turkey, this healthy side dish keeps the holiday meal hearty, simple, and satisfying.

Key Health Highlights

  • High in fiber from whole wheat bread
  • Lower sodium than traditional stuffing
  • Uses heart-healthy fats in moderation
  • Includes vegetables for added nutrients and flavor
  • 143 calories per ¾ cup serving
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FAQs About Turkey Stuffing

Stuffing is a beloved Thanksgiving tradition, but traditional recipes can be loaded with unhealthy ingredients you might be trying to avoid like white bread, seed oils and salt. However, this lightened up healthy turkey stuffing has fresh, wholesome ingredients without sacrificing any of the flavor in this classic holiday side dish.

  • Whole Grains: This recipe uses whole wheat bread fiber, complex carbohydrates and essential nutrients.

  • Healthy Fats: Unsalted butter provides calcium and other vitamins that are not found in vegetable oils.

  • Fresh Herbs and Spices: Incorporating fresh herbs and spices adds flavor and aroma to the recipe, which gives it the classic stuffing taste that you know and love.

  • Lower Sodium: This recipe uses low-sodium broth or unsalted butter to help you manage your sodium intake without sacrificing any flavor.

Use low-sodium or unsalted chicken or turkey broth, skip salted butter, and avoid adding extra salt. Fresh herbs like sage and garlic add plenty of flavor naturally.

A good stuffing includes bread (like whole wheat or sourdough), vegetables such as onion, celery, and carrots, broth, and herbs like sage or thyme. Some versions also add fruit, sausage, or nuts.

Texture balance. You want the bread to soak up flavor without becoming soggy — lightly toasting the bread helps. Using both fresh and dried herbs brings depth, and finishing in the oven gives that crispy golden top.

Don’t over-soak the bread — too much broth can make it mushy. Avoid skipping the sauté step; raw veggies won’t soften properly in the oven. Also, under-seasoning is a big one — herbs carry the flavor.

Classic ingredients include cubed bread, broth, butter or oil, chopped onion, celery, carrots, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper. You can also add chopped nuts, cranberries, or cooked sausage depending on your style.

Try cornbread stuffing, sausage and apple stuffing, mushroom and wild rice stuffing, or even stuffing with chestnuts or cranberries. You can make it gluten-free with GF bread or add lentils for a vegetarian protein boost.

More Healthy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes You'll Love

Looking for more ways to lighten up your holiday plate without missing the comfort food? These healthy Thanksgiving stuffing recipes bring the flavor and skip the heavy trimmings.

Thanksgiving Dressing
Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing

Try them all and mix it up next year. There’s no rule that says you have to pick just one!

Healthy Turkey Recipes to Serve with Homemade Stuffing

This turkey stuffing works with more than just a full holiday bird. You can pair it with any of these healthy turkey recipes for a lighter, easier Thanksgiving. If roasting a whole turkey feels like too much, try a simple turkey breast or quick-cooking cutlets instead. These options are perfect whether you're hosting a big crowd or just doing a small gathering with all the flavor and none of the stress.

Holiday Turkey
Roasted Turkey Breast with Root Vegetables
Roasted Turkey Breast
Turkey Cutlets with Mushrooms

No matter which one you pick, this healthy stuffing fits right in! It's flavorful, flexible, and ready for your plate.

Tips for Making Healthy Turkey Stuffing

This Healthy Turkey Stuffing recipe is delicious and incredibly easy to make, but here are a few tips and tricks for making the recipe even easier to prepare.

  • Prep ahead: Many stuffing ingredients can be prepared in advance. Chop vegetables, measure out herbs and spices and cube the bread beforehand. You can even saute and refrigerate the vegetables the day before.
  • Use a food processor: If you're really short on time, a food processor can be a great tool for chopping vegetables quickly.
  • Toast the bread: You might be tempted to skip toasting the bread and using stale bread instead. However, this can lead to mushy stuffing. Instead, be sure to toast the bread in the oven to dry it out. This will ensure your stuffing has a delicious texture.
  • Get creative with aromatics: Herbs and spices are a great way to add extra flavor without adding additional salt. Rosemary, thyme and parsley are great additions if you feel like getting creative in the kitchen.
  • Leftovers: Stuffing makes great leftovers! Reheat it in the oven or microwave for a quick and easy side dish.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Ingredients

Recipe yields 10 servings

How to Make Turkey Stuffing

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°.

  2. Step 2

    Layer bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in oven about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

  3. Step 3

    In a large saucepan, heat butter over moderate heat until melted. Add onion, carrots and celery and sauté for 1 minute. Mix in seasonings and garlic, and cook 3 minutes, until vegetables are softened. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

  4. Step 4

    In a large bowl, toss toasted bread cubes (reserve 1/4 cup for topping later) with vegetable mixture.

  5. Step 5

    Coat a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer stuffing mixture to casserole dish and top with reserved 1/4 cup bread cubes. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until golden.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size:
3/4 cup

143
Calories
5
g
Fat
13
mg
Cholesterol
363
mg
Sodium
22
g
Carbs
1
g
Sat. Fat
4
g
Fiber
5
g
Protein

Serving & Storage Tips

  • Prep up to 2 days ahead — assemble and refrigerate unbaked
  • Reheat in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to retain moisture
  • Freezes well for up to one month in an airtight container
  • Serve as a classic side or spoon into turkey cavity for roasting
  • Add a splash of broth when reheating to freshen up texture

Ingredient Substitutions

Use sourdough or multigrain bread for a hearty texture.

Sub olive oil or vegan butter for the unsalted butter.

Add chopped mushrooms or leeks when sautéing the vegetables.

Use an extra 1½ teaspoons of dried sage to keep the herbal note strong.

Use a gluten-free whole grain bread that toasts well.

More Healthy Thanksgiving Side Recipes That Pair with Turkey Stuffing

Build your healthiest Thanksgiving plate ever with sides that bring all the tradition without the excess. From creamy mashed potatoes to fresh cranberry sauce, we’ve got recipes that fit every guest at your table — including those looking to eat a little lighter. Check out our full lineup of healthy Thanksgiving sides for more inspiration.