Savory Wild Mushroom Herb Dressing Recipe – Easy Holiday Side

The smell of fresh herbs mingling with sautéed wild mushrooms reminds me of the excitement of holiday dinners. There’s something magical about gathering around the table with loved ones—and this Savory Wild Mushroom and Herb Dressing has become a staple at ours. It’s rich, earthy, and packed with flavor, making it the perfect complement to roasted turkey or ham. Honestly, I first created this recipe when I wanted to step up my stuffing game, and now I can’t imagine a holiday spread without it. If you’re looking for an easy yet impressive side dish, this recipe is guaranteed to hit the mark.

This dressing isn’t your average bread stuffing. It’s elevated (in the best way possible) with a mix of hearty wild mushrooms, fragrant herbs, and savory additions like garlic and shallots. Whether you’re a mushroom lover or just looking for a recipe that brings all the cozy, comforting vibes, you’ll want to bookmark this one for your next gathering. Let’s dive into the details!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich and Flavorful: The wild mushrooms, herbs, and aromatics create a depth of flavor that’s truly irresistible.
• Perfect for Holidays: This dressing pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, or roasted vegetables, making it ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other festive meals.
• Simple Ingredients: Most of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, and you can even swap some out if needed.
• Customizable: Adapt it for vegetarian guests, gluten-free diets, or even add your favorite twist!
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep this dressing ahead of time so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holiday festivities.
• Comfort Food at its Best: Warm, savory, and satisfying—it’s the kind of dish that feels like home.

What sets this recipe apart is the combination of textures and flavors. The mushrooms bring a meaty, earthy bite, while fresh herbs like sage and thyme add a fragrant warmth that feels just right for this time of year. It’s not just stuffing—it’s a dish you’ll crave long after the holidays are over.

Ingredients You Will Need

This recipe uses simple yet flavorful ingredients to create a holiday-worthy side dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Mushroom Mixture:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound wild mushrooms, cleaned and sliced (such as cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms)
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

For the Dressing Base:

• 6 cups cubed day-old bread (use sourdough, French bread, or gluten-free bread if needed)
• 1 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-vegetarian)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Feel free to tweak the ingredients based on your preferences. Don’t have wild mushrooms? Regular button mushrooms work just fine! Want a richer flavor? Add a splash of cream to the broth for extra indulgence.

Equipment Needed

• Large skillet: Essential for sautéing the mushrooms and aromatics.
• Mixing bowls: You’ll need a few to combine the bread and dressing components.
• Baking dish: A 9×13-inch dish works perfectly for this recipe.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring without damaging your cookware.
• Knife and cutting board: For chopping the herbs, shallots, and garlic.

If you don’t have a baking dish, you can use a deep oven-safe skillet. And if you’re short on mixing bowls, you can repurpose any large container in your kitchen. No fancy tools required!

Preparation Method

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prep the bread: Spread the cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden and crisp. Set aside.
3. Sauté the mushrooms: Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add aromatics: Stir in the chopped shallots and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle in the fresh thyme and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.
5. Combine the dressing base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth, eggs, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
6. Mix it up: Add the toasted bread cubes to the bowl and toss gently to coat. Stir in the sautéed mushroom mixture until evenly combined.
7. Transfer to the baking dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
8. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and slightly crisp.
9. Serve: Let the dressing cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Pro tip: If the dressing looks dry before baking, add a bit more broth to keep it moist. And don’t overmix, or the bread might break down too much!

Cooking Tips & Techniques

• Use fresh herbs: They really make a difference in flavor. Dried herbs can work in a pinch, but fresh will give you the best results.
• Choose good bread: A sturdy bread like sourdough or French bread holds up better and creates the perfect texture.
• Don’t skimp on the mushrooms: The variety of wild mushrooms gives this dish its signature earthy flavor. Mix and match types for a more complex taste.
• Toast the bread: Toasting ensures the bread absorbs the liquid without becoming mushy.
• Make it ahead: You can prepare the dressing up to the baking step a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Bake it fresh before serving.

Variations & Adaptations

• Vegetarian version: Use vegetable broth and add some diced roasted butternut squash or chestnuts for extra texture and flavor.
• Gluten-free option: Swap the bread for a gluten-free alternative. Gluten-free baguettes work particularly well.
• Cheesy twist: Add a cup of shredded Gruyère or Parmesan cheese to the dressing mixture for a creamy, indulgent variation.
• Seasonal flair: Incorporate cranberries or roasted pecans for a festive touch.
• Meaty addition: Crumble cooked sausage into the mixture for extra richness.

I’ve tried adding roasted chestnuts to this recipe during the holidays, and it was a hit with my family. Feel free to experiment to make it your own!

Serving & Storage Suggestions

This Savory Wild Mushroom and Herb Dressing is best served warm straight out of the oven. Pair it with classic holiday dishes like roast turkey, glazed ham, or roasted vegetables. It also goes wonderfully with a side of cranberry sauce or a drizzle of turkey gravy.

To store leftovers, cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, simply place it back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also freeze the dressing for up to a month—just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Nutritional Information & Benefits

This recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins thanks to the mushrooms and herbs. Mushrooms are a great source of antioxidants and B vitamins, while fresh parsley and thyme add immune-boosting benefits. Using a hearty bread adds some carbs for energy, but you can easily make this dish lighter with whole-grain or gluten-free options.

This dressing is vegetarian-friendly, and with a simple swap of bread, it can be made gluten-free. However, be mindful of potential allergens like eggs or butter when serving a crowd.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a side dish that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for holiday gatherings, this Savory Wild Mushroom and Herb Dressing is the answer. It’s easy to prepare, endlessly customizable, and a true crowd-pleaser. Every bite delivers a comforting mix of earthy mushrooms, fragrant herbs, and perfectly seasoned bread.

Savory Wild Mushroom Herb Dressing Recipe – Easy Holiday Side

Print Recipe

A rich, earthy, and flavorful dressing packed with wild mushrooms and fresh herbs, perfect for holiday gatherings.

• Author: paula
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound wild mushrooms, cleaned and sliced (such as cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms)
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 6 cups cubed day-old bread (use sourdough, French bread, or gluten-free bread if needed)
• 1 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-vegetarian)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread the cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden and crisp. Set aside.
3. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in the chopped shallots and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle in the fresh thyme and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.
5. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth, eggs, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
6. Add the toasted bread cubes to the bowl and toss gently to coat. Stir in the sautéed mushroom mixture until evenly combined.
7. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and slightly crisp.
9. Let the dressing cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Notes

Toast the bread to ensure it absorbs the liquid without becoming mushy. Add extra broth if the dressing looks dry before baking. Prepare ahead of time and bake fresh before serving.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2
• Sodium: 450
• Fat: 10
• Saturated Fat: 4
• Carbohydrates: 30
• Fiber: 3
• Protein: 8

Keywords: holiday side dish, mushroom dressing, herb stuffing, Thanksgiving recipe, Christmas side dish