Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls combine lean ground turkey with fresh cranberries, herbs, and breadcrumbs to create flavorful, bite-sized appetizers or side dishes perfect for holiday meals. These easy-to-make balls are baked to golden perfection and offer a delicious, moist alternative to traditional stuffing.
- Author: Lisa
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Primary Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, 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
For Baking
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the stuffing balls evenly.
- Prepare the Stuffing: In a large bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, fresh cranberries, finely chopped onion, celery, minced garlic, dried sage, thyme, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Add the Turkey: Incorporate the ground turkey into the stuffing mixture thoroughly. Add the eggs and chicken broth to help bind the mixture and keep it moist.
- Form the Balls: Using wet hands to prevent sticking, take a handful of the mixture and roll it into balls about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter.
- Arrange on a Baking Sheet: Place the formed stuffing balls onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for proper cooking.
- Bake: Bake the stuffing balls in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the balls from the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, then serve warm. They pair well with gravy or your favorite holiday sauces.
Notes
- Customization: Feel free to add different herbs, spices, or vegetables like chopped mushrooms or bell peppers to tailor the flavor to your liking.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the stuffing balls in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until warmed through to maintain their texture.
- Freezing: You can freeze formed stuffing balls on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or cooked quinoa to make the recipe gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffing balls (approx. 70g)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: cranberry turkey stuffing balls, holiday appetizers, stuffing recipes, ground turkey recipes, baked stuffing balls