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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Side Dishes » Vegetarian Pomegranate Za'atar Stuffing

    ★★★★★ from 2 reviews

    Vegetarian Pomegranate Za'atar Stuffing

    Published Nov 5, 2018 · Modified Nov 9, 2022 · by Alexis Joseph · 24 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy Vegetarian Za'atar Pomegranate Stuffing makes the most delicious Thanksgiving side dish! Make ahead and freezing instructions included.

    Vegetarian Pomegranate Za

    Stuffing is one of my all time faaaaavorite foods.

    Why? Because it's BREAD! Moist, flavorful, herby bread. I never met a bread I didn't like. I mean love. And there's even cauliflower stuffing!

    I come from a family of [carb] lovers. My dad raised me on linguine with clam sauce and chocolate soufflé and grits. Like, the instant kind from the bag prepared with salt and butter. The best. Oh, and popovers! Really plain but really amazing popovers. Who else's dad made them popovers?!

    vegetarian-pomegranate-zaatar-stuffing

    My mom raised me on french toast and popcorn and banana bread and apple cake. She always had multiple kinds of bread in the house, from rustic cranberry walnut bread to fresh challah, honey wheat bagels, and pita bread. She'd buy Italian chocolate topped cookies from Alesci's bakery on a weekly basis.

    She'd bring me hot rigatoni with marinara sauce to school for lunch. When I got off the bus, she would offer me fruit or cottage cheese or whole grain crackers but if I was craving pizza, she'd make me a pizza bagel. Super mom, right?

    I grew up in a family that celebrated food in the best, most "normal" way. We had a jar full of dark chocolate bars next to the stone ground peanut butter. We had organic tortilla chips and Cheerios and Frosted Flakes on occasion. My parents made meatloaf, chicken paprikash, chic

    ken and broccoli, zucchini kugel, flank steak fajitas, spaghetti and meatballs, grilled salmon,  and chili for dinner. I remember my mom's brownies with walnuts, apple cake, cream cheese cookies, and banana bread for dessert. We were so lucky.

    There was no negativity and zero fear when it came to food. And carbs. My favorite food group!

    This Vegetarian Pomegranate Za'atar Stuffing recipe is home and family and love. It smells like Thanksgiving and reminds me of Israel. I remember racing down the stairs on Thanksgiving Day, so excited to help my dad cook the green beans with caramelized onions and almonds.

    The smell of onions and garlic simmering in olive oil takes me back to being seven years old every time. Our family always hosted the best Thanksgiving meals, and I'll never forget them.

    Mom and dad, thank you for raising me with a strong appreciation for food, culture, human rights, empathy, and giving back. The older I get, the more I realize how similar we are in so many ways.

    Whatever you're grateful for this season, old Thanksgiving memories or new ones, I hope you're surrounded by joy this holiday season and that this Vegetarian Pomegranate Za'atar Stuffing makes you feel cozy and loved!

    For more Thanksgiving recipes, check out some of my most loved holiday recipes!

    • Spinach Mushroom & Herb Stuffing
    • Vegan Pumpkin Pie Bars with Pecan Cookie Crust
    • Healthy Green Bean Casserole
    • Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Cranberry Orange Sauce
    Print
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    Vegetarian Pomegranate Za'atar Stuffing

    ★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph
    • Prep Time: 20 mins
    • Cook Time: 55 mins
    • Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
    • Yield: 8 1x
    • Category: Side Dishes
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This easy Vegetarian Za'atar Pomegranate Stuffing makes the most delicious Thanksgiving side dish! See notes for make ahead and freezing instructions.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 lb loaf day-old french bread, cubed
    • 8 oz sliced mushrooms
    • 1 large onion, diced
    • 3 stalks celery, chopped
    • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided (or butter)
    • 2 tbsp za'atar
    • 2 tbsp chopped rosemary
    • ⅓ cup chopped parsley
    • ½ cup pomegranate arils
    • 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
    • 2 large eggs (can omit if vegan)
    • 2 tbsp tahini
    • 1 tsp sea salt
    • Lots of freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch or 3 qt baking dish. Place bread cubes in a large mixing bowl.
    2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium. Add mushrooms and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until mushrooms are nice and browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to bread bowl.
    3. In same skillet, heat remaining 2 tbsp oil. Add onion and celery plus a pinch of salt. Sauté until tender, about 12 minutes.
    4. Add za'atar, rosemary, and parsley and cook for another minute. Stir in the pomegranate and transfer to bread bowl.
    5. In a bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together broth, eggs, tahini, salt, and pepper. Pour into bread bowl, tossing to combine. If using dried bread cubes, add another ½ cup broth. Spoon mixture into baking dish.
    6. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of za'atar.

    Notes

    STORAGE: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    TO MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare this the day before and store unbaked in the fridge, tightly covered. If you want it more advance than that, I would recommend baking and freezing it.

    TO FREEZE: Prepare the stuffing, bake it, then freeze the cooled, covered stuffing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake before serving per the recipe.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Rachel says

      November 27, 2018 at 8:10 pm

      So easy and delicious! We all loved it!

      Reply
    2. Rachel says

      November 27, 2018 at 8:10 pm

      So easy and delicious! We all loved it!

      Reply
    3. Rachel says

      November 06, 2018 at 8:15 am

      Hi Alexis! I love your recipes and this would be great for my menu. Do you think this can be assembled Wednesday night and baked off on Thursday?

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 9:29 am

        Yes! Just keep the liquid ingredients separate and add those to the bread and veggie mixture the next morning before you bake it. I think it would dry out if it sat pre-assembled overnight; I’ve never tried it though!

        Reply
    4. Rachel says

      November 06, 2018 at 8:15 am

      Hi Alexis! I love your recipes and this would be great for my menu. Do you think this can be assembled Wednesday night and baked off on Thursday?

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 9:29 am

        Yes! Just keep the liquid ingredients separate and add those to the bread and veggie mixture the next morning before you bake it. I think it would dry out if it sat pre-assembled overnight; I’ve never tried it though!

        Reply
    5. Little Plastic Footprint says

      November 05, 2018 at 6:50 pm

      I'm not vegetarian or vegan but this looks amazing. Will be giving this a try for sure!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 7:28 pm

        Thank you! Hope you love it 🙂

        Reply
    6. Little Plastic Footprint says

      November 05, 2018 at 6:50 pm

      I'm not vegetarian or vegan but this looks amazing. Will be giving this a try for sure!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 7:28 pm

        Thank you! Hope you love it 🙂

        Reply
    7. Lesq says

      November 05, 2018 at 3:00 pm

      What a beautiful post regarding your parents and your deep love and appreciation for them is so heartwarming and in the spirit of the gratitude we should all have for the holiday and life itself. Your a beautiful soul.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 7:29 pm

        Thank you, friend!

        Reply
    8. Lesq says

      November 05, 2018 at 3:00 pm

      What a beautiful post regarding your parents and your deep love and appreciation for them is so heartwarming and in the spirit of the gratitude we should all have for the holiday and life itself. Your a beautiful soul.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 7:29 pm

        Thank you, friend!

        Reply
    9. Dylan Miles says

      November 05, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      The perfect fall side-dish! Yum!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 7:29 pm

        So good with mashed potatoes 🙂

        Reply
    10. Dylan Miles says

      November 05, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      The perfect fall side-dish! Yum!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 7:29 pm

        So good with mashed potatoes 🙂

        Reply
    11. Mina says

      November 05, 2018 at 11:01 am

      My sis in law has stuffing duty, I'm going to casually send this her way as a hint 🙂 Would love to get a recipe for the green beans w/ caramelized onions. As the vegan, I always get veggie duty...

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 7:29 pm

        Yes yes yes! I also have a yummy spinach mushroom and herb stuffing: https://www.hummusapien.com/spinach-mushroom-herb-stuffing/ Enjoy!

        Reply
    12. Mina says

      November 05, 2018 at 11:01 am

      My sis in law has stuffing duty, I'm going to casually send this her way as a hint 🙂 Would love to get a recipe for the green beans w/ caramelized onions. As the vegan, I always get veggie duty...

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 06, 2018 at 7:29 pm

        Yes yes yes! I also have a yummy spinach mushroom and herb stuffing: https://www.hummusapien.com/spinach-mushroom-herb-stuffing/ Enjoy!

        Reply
    13. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says

      November 05, 2018 at 6:22 am

      The recipe sounds delicious! I love that everyone can be involved in this recipe, who says Thanksgiving is only for meat eaters? 🙂

      Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
      https://charmainenyw.com

      Reply
    14. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says

      November 05, 2018 at 6:22 am

      The recipe sounds delicious! I love that everyone can be involved in this recipe, who says Thanksgiving is only for meat eaters? 🙂

      Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
      https://charmainenyw.com

      Reply

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    Well HELLO there, pal! I'm Alexis. Welcome to Hummusapien, a fantastical food blog brimming with nourishing (always delish!) recipes from a Registered Dietitian plus life tidbits to inspire you to live your most joyful, balanced life. Grab a super hot cup o' joe and let's get cookin'.

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