14 Thanksgiving Sourdough Recipes to Make Your Holiday Meal Unforgettable

When it comes to Thanksgiving food, I love my traditional turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. But it’s also fun to add the flavor of sourdough in and mix up some classic dishes. These Thanksgiving sourdough recipes will impress your guests and add a little something extra to your table. From fluffy dinner rolls to mouthwatering stuffing and pumpkin pie, there’s something for everyone.

So, if you’re ready to make this a slow Thanksgiving to remember, these recipes are just what you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Use Sourdough Starter or Discard: Thanksgiving is the perfect time to put your extra sourdough starter or discard to good use. It adds a unique flavor to both sweet and savory dishes, plus sourdough can be used in any recipe.
  • Prepare Ahead: Many sourdough recipes require a longer preparation time due to fermentation. Plan ahead to ensure your dough is ready when you need it.
  • Get Creative with Sourdough: Sourdough can be used in a variety of Thanksgiving dishes, from traditional stuffing to creative options like pumpkin fougasse or gourmet crackers.
  • Don’t Forget the Flavors: Enhance your sourdough recipes with seasonal flavors like rosemary, fennel, pumpkin, and cranberries to capture the essence of Thanksgiving.
  • Consider Dietary Preferences: Some sourdough recipes can be adapted to fit dietary needs, like the Slow Cooker Sourdough Herb Stuffing, which is both vegetarian and dairy-free.
A slice of golden-brown sourdough pumpkin pie topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

Sourdough Pumpkin Pie

This creamy pie is a must-have for any Thanksgiving dessert spread. If you’re a sourdough baker, you probably have extra starter or discard on hand, and this is a perfect way to use it.

A close-up of a baked dish filled with crispy, golden sourdough stuffing mixed with fennel and fresh herbs.

Sourdough Stuffing with Fennel

This Sourdough Stuffing with Fennel is a real winner for Thanksgiving. It’s made with fragrant fennel, a mix of fresh herbs, and sourdough bread that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s the perfect side dish for your holiday meal.

A tray of golden, soft sourdough dinner rolls topped with rosemary and sea salt.

Sourdough Dinner Rolls with Rosemary

These Sourdough Dinner Rolls with Rosemary are super soft and have a delicious pull-apart texture that will keep you coming back for more. Honestly, it’s hard to stop at just one!

A bowl of Mediterranean-style stuffing with sourdough cubes, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Mediterranean Sourdough Stuffing Recipe

This Mediterranean Sourdough Stuffing is packed with the bold flavors of olives and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s naturally vegan, giving a fresh twist to the usual holiday stuffing, and it’s super easy to make. Perfect for a Mediterranean-style Thanksgiving!

A slice of sourdough cracker filled with nuts and dried fruit, topped with a spread of butter.

Sourdough Fruit and Nut Gourmet Crackers

Sourdough Gourmet Crackers are a fantastic way to use up your sourdough discard. They’re a tasty addition to any cheese plate, have that satisfying crunch, and make a perfect holiday gift.

A skillet filled with sourdough stuffing, featuring crispy bacon pieces and crunchy pecans.

Sourdough Bacon & Pecan Stuffing

Complete your holiday meal with this sourdough bacon & pecan stuffing, the perfect side for a standout turkey! The tangy sourdough bread is mixed with flavorful veggies, smoky bacon, and crunchy pecans for a delicious twist on traditional stuffing. Skip the boxed stuff and try this easy skillet stuffing instead—you’ll be glad you did!

Golden-brown stuffing balls with cranberries, resting on parchment paper.

Easy Sourdough Stuffing Balls With Cranberries

Stuffing can either be dry and crumbly, or crisp on the outside and moist inside—and our Sourdough Stuffing Balls are definitely the second kind! They’re flavored with rosemary and dotted with sweet cranberries, making them a tasty and easy addition to your holiday meal. If you want to use up stale sourdough and impress your guests, this is the perfect stuffing for Christmas or Thanksgiving!

A portion of slow-cooked herb stuffing on a plate, surrounded by fresh herbs.

Slow Cooker Sourdough Herb Stuffing

This easy Crock Pot stuffing stays moist in the center and gets golden and crispy around the edges. It’s perfect for the holidays, and it’s also vegetarian and dairy-free!

Pumpkin-shaped sourdough rolls with a smooth, golden surface on a white plate.

Soft Pumpkin Sourdough Rolls

Pumpkin puree adds both color and softness to these pumpkin sourdough rolls. You can shape them like pumpkins or keep them as regular round rolls. They’re slightly sweet and buttery, perfect for Thanksgiving or a cozy fall dinner!

A round loaf of sourdough bread topped with pumpkin seeds, dusted with flour.

Pumpkin Seed Sourdough Bread Recipe

This recipe gives traditional bread a boost by adding healthy and tasty pepitas, making it a delicious seeded sourdough you’ll really enjoy!

A golden-brown pumpkin fougasse bread with a leaf-like shape, sprinkled with herbs and baked to perfection.

Sourdough Pumpkin Fougasse Bread

This sourdough fougasse is a great seasonal treat for sourdough fans. Shaped like a leaf and made with pumpkin puree, it has a subtle pumpkin flavor, a super crusty crust, and a beautiful orange crumb. This French pumpkin fougasse is sure to impress!

A close-up of shiny, golden-brown sourdough dinner rolls, fresh out of the oven.

Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls

These rolls are great for any occasion, with a shiny golden crust and a soft, airy inside.

A beautifully woven lattice pie crust, baked to a golden brown, resting on a kitchen counter.

Sourdough Pie Crust

This pie recipe has a buttery, flaky crust with a hint of tang, making it perfect for both sweet and savory pies.

A close-up of a baked dish with golden-brown sourdough stuffing mixed with vegetables.

Sourdough Stuffing

This sourdough stuffing blends the tangy taste of sourdough with fresh herbs and veggies for a well-balanced, savory side dish.

FAQs

Can I use sourdough discard for these recipes?

Absolutely! Sourdough discard works great in many of these recipes. It adds that tangy flavor and helps reduce waste. Just make sure your discard is still active and hasn’t been sitting too long.

Do I need to prepare the sourdough starter in advance?

Yes, most sourdough recipes require you to prepare your starter ahead of time, usually the night before. This gives it time to ferment and develop the right flavor and texture.

What if I don’t have a sourdough starter?

If you don’t have a starter, you can either make one from scratch (which takes about a week) or ask a friend who bakes sourdough for some. There are also online communities where people share or sell sourdough starters.

Can I freeze sourdough bread or rolls?

Yes, you can! Once your sourdough bread or rolls have cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing. When you’re ready to use them, let them thaw at room temperature and warm them in the oven.

What’s the best way to store sourdough stuffing?

Store any leftover sourdough stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven to bring back the crispiness.

Can I make these sourdough recipes gluten-free?

Traditional sourdough is made with wheat flour, but you can experiment with gluten-free sourdough starters and flours. Keep in mind that the texture and rise might be different from regular sourdough. Check out this article for more information on sourdough’s nutrition.

As you can see, there are many ways to include sourdough in your Thanksgiving meal. Between soft dinner rolls, savory stuffings, and a sweet and tangy pie, sourdough brings a unique flavor to even the most traditional recipes. I’m sure you’ll find a recipe to make your holiday meal delicious and memorable.

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By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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