Amazing Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Okay, okay, gather ’round, you guys! The holidays are coming, and you *know* what that means – it’s appetizer central! I’ve been making these little bites for years, and they never, ever fail. We’re talking about my absolute favorite Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls. Seriously, they’re like little bursts of Thanksgiving dinner, which is awesome because who doesn’t love stuffing? The second you bite into one, you get that savory turkey, a little zing from the cranberries, and that comforting stuffing flavor. My kids go absolutely bonkers for these, and honestly, so do I. They’re just so easy to whip up, and they look so festive on a platter. They’re totally versatile too – great for a big holiday gathering or even just a cozy evening snack.

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Trust me, these little guys are a total win! Here’s why you’ll be making them again and again:

• Super Easy to Make: Seriously, you just mix everything up and roll. No wrestling with a whole turkey or complicated gravy.
• Flavor Explosion: You get that savory turkey, sweet-tart cranberries, and all those classic stuffing spices in every bite. They’re just SO good.
• Perfect for Parties: They look fancy enough for any holiday spread or get-together, but they’re totally casual and fun to eat.
• Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Even picky eaters love these! They’re always the first thing to disappear from the appetizer table.

Ingredients for Perfect Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Alright, let’s talk turkey – or well, *ground* turkey! Getting these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls just right is all about the ingredients. Don’t worry, it’s all super straightforward stuff you can grab easily. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:

• 1 pound ground turkey: I usually go for a leaner kind, but whatever you have works! Thaw it out completely if it’s frozen.
• 1 cup breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs give them a nice crispiness, but regular dried breadcrumbs work great too.
• 1/2 cup chopped celery: Make sure it’s chopped pretty fine, so you don’t get big crunchy bits.
• 1/2 cup chopped onion: Same as the celery, nice and small. Yellow or white onions are perfect here.
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries: These little jewels are key for that festive flavor pop!
• 1/4 cup chicken broth: Just a splash to help bind everything together and add a little moisture.
• 1 large egg, beaten: This is our binder, making sure our little balls stay balls!
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning: This is where all those classic stuffing spices come from – sage, thyme, rosemary, you name it!
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: To bring out all those yummy flavors.
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Just a little kick!

See? Nothing too crazy! Making sure you have all these ready to go makes the process so much smoother. Precision is key, especially with the smaller amounts, so don’t skip on measuring!

How to Make Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get these festive little bites into the oven! It’s honestly super simple, and the smell that starts filling your kitchen is just divine. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a platter of deliciousness in no time. If you’re looking for other festive sides, you should totally check out my honey-curry roasted cauliflower; it’s a real crowd-pleaser too!

Preheating and Preparation

First things first, get that oven fired up to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating, grab your baking sheet and give it a little spritz of cooking spray or a thin layer of butter or oil. This just makes sure our little stuffing balls don’t decide to stage a breakout and stick to the pan.

Mixing the Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Now for the fun part! Grab a big ol’ bowl and toss in your ground turkey, breadcrumbs, that finely chopped celery and onion, those sweet cranberries, the chicken broth, and the beaten egg. Sprinkle in your poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Now, here’s the trick – you want to gently mix it all together until everything is just combined. Don’t go wild and overmix, or your balls could end up a little tough. Just use your hands or a sturdy spoon to get it all nicely blended so every bite has a little bit of everything. It should look like a slightly moist, chunky mixture ready to be rolled.

Shaping and Baking

Once everything is mixed, it’s time to get rolling! Take about a tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll it between your palms into nice, neat little balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Don’t pack them too tight, or they might get dense. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one so they can brown up nicely. Pop those babies into the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for them to be gorgeously golden brown all over and cooked through. If you’re not sure, you can always poke one with a fork; it should come out clean. Honestly, the aroma that fills your house during this time is *chef’s kiss*! I always find myself peeking through the oven door, just mesmerized by how they puff up and get all toasty.

Tips for the Best Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Okay, so you’ve got the basic recipe down, but let’s bump these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls up a notch, shall we? A few little tricks that I always use can really make them shine. For example, if you’re ever making my nutritious chicken and broccoli nuggets, you know I’m all about those little flavor boosters! For these stuffing balls, try to use fresh ingredients whenever you can – fresh celery and onions really do make a difference in texture. Oh, and don’t overbake them! Nobody likes a dry little ball.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Sometimes you might be missing an ingredient or just want to switch things up a bit, and that’s totally fine! For these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls, the ground turkey is pretty essential for that savory flavor. But if you’re not a fan or need a different option, you could totally try ground chicken or even a good quality bulk Italian sausage for a different flavor profile. Just make sure it’s not too fatty! The breadcrumbs are pretty standard, but if you can get your hands on panko, they give these little guys an extra-crispy shell which is divine. If you don’t have celery or onion, you could try finely minced shallots or even use a bit of onion powder and celery salt, but fresh really does pack a punch here. Oh, and if you can’t find dried cranberries, chopped dried cherries or even raisins could work in a pinch, though they’ll be a bit sweeter!

Always double-check your pantry! Sometimes a small tweak makes all the difference. For instance, if you’re ever making my chicken parmesan zucchini boats, I always stress how important fresh basil is, and it’s a similar idea here – fresh aromatics make these stuffing balls sing!

Serving Suggestions for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Okay, so these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are honestly delicious just as they are, especially when they’re warm and fresh out of the oven. But if you want to make them really sing, serving them with a dipping sauce is a MUST. My favorite is a simple cranberry-orange relish, but a spicy Dijon mustard or even a creamy ranch dressing works wonders too! They make a fantastic appetizer for any holiday party, of course, but I also love serving them as a fun side dish on Thanksgiving or Christmas instead of traditional stuffing. They’re just so easy to grab and pop in your mouth! They’re also a super hit when I make my sweet and spicy baked cauliflower; people always ask for seconds of both!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Good news! These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are fantastic leftovers. If you happen to have any (which is rare in my house!), just let them cool completely. Then, pop them into an airtight container or a resealable bag. They’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 3-4 days. They’re super handy if you need a quick snack or appetizer later on, kind of like how my meal prep chicken casserole saves the day on busy weeknights!

When you’re ready to reheat, I find the oven works best to get them nice and crisp again. Just spread them on a baking sheet and pop them into a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until they’re warmed through and a little bit crispy again. Microwaving works in a pinch, but they might lose some of that lovely crispiness. Just a few seconds in the microwave should do the trick!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Got questions about these little flavor bombs? I totally get it! Here are a few things people often ask me about making these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls.

Can I make these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls ahead of time?

Oh, absolutely! This is one of my favorite things about them. You can totally mix the whole batch up, roll them into balls, and store them on a baking sheet in the fridge (covered, of course!) for up to 24 hours before you bake them. They bake up just as beautifully. You can also bake them completely and then reheat them later, which is super handy!

What can I use instead of ground turkey in these stuffing balls?

If ground turkey isn’t your jam, don’t you worry! You can easily swap it out for ground chicken. A good quality bulk Italian sausage or even ground pork would also give them a delicious, savory twist. Just make sure whatever you use isn’t too fatty, or your balls might get a little greasy.

How do I prevent my Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls from falling apart?

The main culprit for stuffing balls falling apart is usually a lack of binding goodness, or overworking the mixture. Make sure you’ve got that egg beaten in really well, and don’t over-mix the ingredients once you add them all together. Gentle mixing is key! Also, make sure your oven is preheated properly so they get a good sear on the outside quickly, which helps them hold their shape.

Can I freeze Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls?

Yep, you sure can! You have two options here. You can freeze the unbaked balls – just place them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you want to cook them from frozen, add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Or, you can bake them completely, let them cool, and then freeze the cooked balls. Reheat them gently in the oven until warmed through.

Nutritional Information

Alright, let’s talk numbers for these delicious Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls! Keep in mind these are estimates, so your exact values might dance around a bit depending on the brands you use and how big you roll those little guys. This info is based on about 3 balls per serving:

Calories: Around 150
Protein: About 10g
Carbohydrates: Roughly 12g
Fat: Around 7g

It’s always good to remember that fresh ingredients and how you prepare them can tweak these numbers a bit. Enjoy them guilt-free as part of a balanced meal!

Dont forget Amazing DIY Coffin Sandwiches Halloween

For more recipes follow me on PINTEREST

Print