Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe

Introduction

Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls are a festive, bite-sized twist on traditional holiday stuffing. Combining savory ground turkey with sweet dried cranberries, herbs, and soft bread cubes, these easy-to-make balls offer a delicious and convenient addition to any holiday meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 4 cups dried bread cubes
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, dried cranberries, finely chopped celery, and finely chopped onion.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix together the ground turkey, chicken broth, melted butter, beaten egg, dried sage, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
4. Step 4: Gently add the turkey mixture to the bread mixture and combine carefully, ensuring everything is evenly mixed but not mashed.
5. Step 5: Form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (74°C).
7. Step 7: Serve warm, optionally garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary for a festive touch.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the mixture.
• Substitute ground turkey with a plant-based protein and add sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
• Experiment with other herbs like rosemary or parsley for varied flavor profiles.
• You can freeze the balls before or after baking for easy make-ahead preparation.

Storage

Store leftover stuffing balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to regain crispness. For longer storage, freeze baked balls after cooling completely, placing them in a freezer-safe container. Reheat from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these stuffing balls in advance?

Yes, you can form the stuffing balls ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to bake. This makes meal prep easier, especially for large gatherings.

Can I freeze Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls?

Absolutely. Freeze them before or after baking. If freezing raw, place the shaped balls on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a container. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 67 reviews

Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls offer a festive, bite-sized twist on classic holiday stuffing. Combining lean ground turkey with the sweet tartness of dried cranberries, soft bread cubes, and savory herbs, these stuffing balls are a delicious and versatile addition to any holiday meal. Perfect as appetizers, side dishes, or party snacks, they bake quickly to golden perfection and bring ease and festive flavor to your holiday table.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 16–20 stuffing balls 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 4 cups dried bread cubes
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg, beaten

Herbs & Spices

• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffing balls.
2. Mix Bread and Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, dried cranberries, finely chopped celery, and onion to create the base mixture.
3. Prepare Turkey Mixture: In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix ground turkey with chicken broth, melted unsalted butter, beaten egg, dried sage, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
4. Combine Mixtures: Add the turkey mixture to the bread mixture and gently combine to avoid breaking up the bread cubes too much, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
5. Form Stuffing Balls: Shape the combined mixture into 1-inch diameter balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
6. Bake: Bake the stuffing balls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (74°C) to ensure they are cooked through.
7. Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm, optionally garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or rosemary for added flavor and visual appeal.

Notes

• Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F (74°C) for safe consumption of ground turkey.
• Can be made ahead by shaping balls and refrigerating; bake before serving.
• Stuffing balls can be frozen before or after baking; thaw or bake from frozen with adjusted cooking times.
• Serve with gravy or cranberry sauce for enhanced flavor as appetizers.
• For a spicy variation, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the turkey mixture.
• Vegetarian option: substitute turkey with plant-based protein and add sautéed mushrooms or lentils.
• Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
• Reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore crispness.

Keywords: cranberry stuffing balls, turkey stuffing, holiday appetizers, Thanksgiving side dish, baked stuffing balls, festive holiday recipes, turkey meatballs, cranberry recipes