Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe
These Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls are a flavorful and festive appetizer or side dish perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining lean ground turkey with savory herbs, dried cranberries, and traditional stuffing ingredients, these bite-sized balls are baked to golden perfection for a deliciously moist and tender treat with a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 stuffing balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the stuffing balls evenly and to a perfect golden brown.
- Mix bread and vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, dried cranberries, finely chopped celery, and finely chopped onion. Stir these together to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare turkey mixture: In a separate bowl, mix the ground turkey with chicken broth, melted butter, beaten egg, dried sage, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to incorporate all the flavors and ensure the turkey is well seasoned and moist.
- Combine mixtures: Add the turkey mixture to the bowl with the bread and vegetable mixture. Gently fold everything together until fully combined, making sure the bread absorbs the moisture and the seasoning is evenly spread.
- Form balls: Shape the combined mixture into 1 ½-inch balls using your hands, making them uniform in size for even cooking. Place the formed balls spaced evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes or until the stuffing balls are cooked through and have turned a nice golden brown on the outside.
- Cool and serve: Remove the stuffing balls from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving as a delicious appetizer or side dish for your meal.
Notes
- You can substitute dried cranberries with dried cherries or raisins for a different sweet note.
- If you want a crispier exterior, briefly broil the stuffing balls for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking—watch closely to avoid burning.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground turkey and chicken broth with a plant-based alternative and vegetable broth.
- Use gluten-free bread cubes to make this recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.
- These stuffing balls can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving for convenience.
Keywords: cranberry stuffing balls, turkey stuffing balls, holiday appetizers, Thanksgiving side dish, baked stuffing balls
