These delicious cranberry and turkey stuffing balls capture all those cozy holiday flavors in one perfect bite! Transform your traditional stuffing into irresistible portable treats that work beautifully as appetizers or side dishes. This simple stuffing balls recipe combines ground turkey, dried cranberries, and classic herbs for a festive twist that'll become your new holiday favorite.
Perfect Holiday Bites
Your guests will love this creative take on cranberry stuffing. These savory-sweet bites are perfect for make-ahead holiday meals and stay delicious even when reheated. Whether you're serving them at a party or bringing them to a potluck, they're guaranteed to impress.
What You Need
- The Base: Ground turkey creates a hearty foundation.
- Classic Mix: Two cups stuffing mix for that traditional taste.
- Sweet Touch: Dried cranberries add festive flair.
- Extra Moisture: Quarter cup chicken broth ensures tenderness.
- Binding Magic: One beaten egg holds everything together.
- Perfect Herbs: Fresh sage and thyme for classic flavor.
- Basic But Important: Salt and pepper to taste.
- Extra Touch: Melted butter for golden perfection.
Making Your Holiday Bites
- Prep Your Mix
- Combine your stuffing mix with broth until perfectly moistened. This creates the ideal base for your cranberry and turkey stuffing balls.
- Shape With Care
- Form evenly-sized portions for consistent cooking. A cookie scoop helps maintain uniform size.
- Perfect Baking
- Bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F inside.
Serving Suggestions
Drizzle these festive bites with gravy or serve alongside cranberry sauce for extra flavor. They work beautifully as appetizers or as part of your main holiday spread. For a stunning presentation, arrange on a platter with fresh herbs and extra cranberries.
Pro Tips
Don't rush the mixing process - letting ingredients properly combine ensures the best texture. Make this stuffing balls recipe your own by adding chopped pecans or celery for extra crunch. Prep the mixture a day ahead to save time during busy holiday cooking.
Storage Guide
Keep leftovers fresh in an airtight container for up to three days, or freeze for future meals. When reheating, add a splash of broth to maintain moisture. Perfect for meal prep, these holiday bites taste amazing even days after making them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Form the balls and freeze them unbaked. When ready to serve, bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.
- How do I know when they're done?
The outside should be golden brown and internal temperature should reach 165°F for safe consumption of ground turkey.
- Can I use leftover turkey?
While designed for ground turkey, you could finely chop cooked turkey. Just ensure there's enough moisture to bind the ingredients.
- What's the best way to serve them?
Serve hot with gravy or cranberry sauce. They work great as both appetizers or as a side dish.
- Can I use fresh cranberries?
Stick with dried cranberries as fresh ones would add too much moisture. The dried ones also provide concentrated flavor.