Make these Turkey Stuffing Balls - they're like tiny bites of Thanksgiving! Mix turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes together. Perfect for dipping in gravy. Great way to use up leftovers or make something special anytime.
Why Make These
Love Thanksgiving dinner? These balls got all the good stuff in one bite. Bring them to parties - people go crazy for them. Turn boring leftovers into something fun. Easy to make, fun to eat.
What You Need
- Turkey: 2 cups cooked, pulled apart small
- Stuffing: 2 cups already made
- Mashed Potatoes: 1 cup
- Salt and Pepper: Just bit to taste
- Breadcrumbs: Plain kind, if needed
- Pan: Big baking sheet
- Paper: For lining pan
How to Make It
- Heat oven:
- Turn to 375°. Put paper on big pan.
- Warm stuff up:
- Heat stuffing and potatoes bit in microwave. Makes mixing easier.
- Mix everything:
- Put turkey, stuffing, potatoes in big bowl. Add pinch salt, pepper. Mix good with hands.
- Make balls:
- Roll mix into balls size of golf balls. If too wet, add breadcrumbs.
- Put in oven:
- Space balls on pan. Cook 15-20 minutes. Turn halfway so brown even.
- Check done:
- Should be hot through and bit brown outside.
- Serve up:
- Put out hot with gravy for dipping. Some folks like cranberry sauce too.
Why They're Good
Taste like whole Thanksgiving dinner in one bite. Great finger food for parties. Kids love them cause they can dip. No forks needed. Makes leftovers exciting again.
What Makes Them Special
Each bite's got everything good from Thanksgiving. Turkey stays moist inside. Stuffing adds flavor. Potatoes hold it all together. Crispy outside, soft inside. Better than eating plain leftovers.
Making Them Right
Taste before adding salt - leftovers usually salty enough. Want them crispy? Use air fryer if you got one. Balls too soft? Add more breadcrumbs. Too dry? Add bit more potato. Keep hands wet when rolling - stops sticking.
Saving For Later
Keep in fridge 3 days in box with lid. Can freeze up to 2 months - wrap good first. Heat up in microwave or oven till hot through. Make double batch while you're at it - they go fast.
Mix It Up
Try different stuffing kinds. Add dried cranberries inside for sweet bit. Some folks put cheese in middle. Make them smaller for party bites. Bigger for main dish. Roll in extra stuffing crumbs for more crunch.
Serving Ideas
Put out different dips - gravy, cranberry sauce, ranch. Make slider sandwiches with them. Put on bed of mashed potatoes. Good in lunch boxes next day. Great for watching games on TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these early?
Perfect make-ahead food! Roll them up, keep in fridge overnight. Heat when ready. Some folks make double - eat half now, save half for later. Want them for a party? Make morning of, warm up right before guests come. They stay hot pretty good on a warm plate. Just don't make too far ahead or they dry out. Keep some extra gravy handy to add moisture when reheating.
- What's good for dipping?
Lots of choices! Leftover gravy's perfect - warm it up first. Cranberry sauce gives nice sweet tang. Some folks like honey mustard or ranch. Even warm cheese sauce works good. Want something different? Mix mayo with herbs, or try spicy BBQ sauce. Put out few choices and let people pick. Hot tip: warm dips work better than cold ones with these.
- Help - they're falling apart!
Easy fix! Crush up some dry stuffing or breadcrumbs - adds like glue. One egg helps too if you've got it. Make sure stuff's chopped up small - big chunks make them fall apart. Press them really firm when rolling. Too wet? Add more crumbs. Too dry? Splash of broth helps. Let them sit in fridge 30 minutes before cooking - helps them stick together.
- Are these gluten-free?
Not with regular stuffing - it's got bread in it. But you can make them gluten-free! Use your leftover GF stuffing. If using breadcrumbs, get the GF kind. Check your gravy too if dipping - some has flour. Want them firmer? Add bit of mashed potato. The turkey part's naturally gluten-free. They might be a bit more delicate but still taste good!
- Do they freeze okay?
Great for freezing! Roll them up, freeze on a pan till hard, then put in freezer bag. Good for 3 months. Don't thaw before cooking - go straight from freezer to oven. Just add few extra minutes cooking time. Some folks make lots after holidays just for freezing. Label the bag with cooking instructions. Perfect for quick snacks or when company drops by!
Some More Ideas
Love using leftovers? Make turkey shepherd's pie - layer everything with mashed potatoes on top. Or try turkey casserole with cheese on top. Both use up holiday food in new ways!