Festive Turkey & Cranberry Stuffing Balls
These cranberry turkey stuffing balls are the ultimate comfort food for the holiday season 🎄✨. A perfect mix of savory turkey, tart cranberries, and aromatic herbs, they can be served as a side dish or a festive appetizer that will wow your guests.
🕒 Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 25 min | Total Time: 45 min | Yield: 24 balls
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
✔️ Bite-sized and perfect for parties
✔️ Festive flavors in every bite
✔️ Easy to make ahead and reheat
✔️ Doubles as a side dish or appetizer
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls with Savory Herbs
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls 1x
Description
Savory holiday-ready cranberry turkey stuffing balls—perfect as a party appetizer or cozy side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (coarsely chopped)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line or grease a large baking sheet.
2. In a bowl, combine ground turkey, cranberries, breadcrumbs, onion, celery, garlic, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly mixed.
3. Add beaten eggs and chicken broth; mix just until the mixture holds together (avoid overmixing).
4. Scoop and roll into 1–1 1/2 inch balls; arrange on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
5. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and the centers reach 165°F (74°C).
6. Rest 5 minutes; serve plain or with warm turkey/chicken gravy.
Notes
Customize with chopped parsley or rosemary, or swap in dried cranberries (soak 10 minutes in warm water first).
Make ahead: shape, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours; bake before serving.
Storage: refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months; reheat at 350°F (175°C) until warm.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 balls
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
🍽️ Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Olive oil (for drizzling)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, cranberries, breadcrumbs, onion, celery, garlic, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended. 🥄
Step 3: Add Eggs & Broth
Beat the eggs lightly and add them along with the chicken broth to the mixture. This helps bind everything together.
Step 4: Shape the Balls
Scoop out portions of the mixture and roll into 1–1½ inch balls. Place them evenly on a greased baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake
Drizzle lightly with olive oil and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. 🔥
Step 6: Serve
Allow to cool slightly before serving. These are delicious on their own or dipped in gravy! 😋
💡 Pro Tips and Tricks
- Make Ahead Friendly: Form the stuffing balls ahead of time and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
- Gravy Upgrade: Serve with turkey or chicken gravy for extra flavor.
- Freezer Storage: Freeze baked stuffing balls in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
📊 Nutrition Info (per serving, approx. 2 balls)
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 balls | 160 | 14g | 12g | 6g | 2g | 4g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?
A: Yes! Dried cranberries work well; just soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before mixing.
Q: Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
A: Absolutely! Ground chicken is a great swap.
Q: How do I keep them moist?
A: Don’t skip the eggs and broth—they’re the key to soft, moist stuffing balls.
🎉 Conclusion
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls bring the holiday spirit straight to your table. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy gathering, these little bites will quickly become a seasonal favorite. 🦃🍴
