Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffing balls.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
