Hello there, I’m Chef Andrew. I’m excited to share a recipe that’s become a true holiday showstopper in my kitchen: my Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls. This isn’t just another way to use up leftovers; this recipe transforms them into a savory, crispy, and incredibly delicious appetizer or side dish that will have everyone asking for the recipe. We’ll be using a simple, yet powerful technique to ensure the outside gets perfectly golden and crispy while the inside remains moist and flavorful.
Table of Contents
The beauty of this dish is its simplicity and versatility, it brings all the comforting flavors of a traditional Thanksgiving stuffing into a fun, bite-sized form. Whether you’re looking for a clever way to repurpose holiday leftovers or searching for a new crowd-pleasing appetizer for your next gathering, this recipe is designed to impress with minimal effort. It’s a guaranteed hit that proves great cooking doesn’t have to be complicated and can be incredibly rewarding.
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Small Bowl
Ingredients
For the Stuffing Balls
- 2 cups Bread Stuffing A savory herb or sage stuffing works best
- 1 cup Cooked Turkey shredded
- 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries chopped finely
- 1/2 cup Onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup Celery diced
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley chopped
- 1 large Egg
- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread stuffing, shredded turkey, chopped dried cranberries, diced onion, celery, and parsley. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, salt, and pepper, and toss to distribute.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and the egg until well combined.
- Form the Balls: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until the stuffing holds together. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time and gently roll it into a ball. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the balls are golden brown and hold their shape.
- Rest and Serve: Let the stuffing balls cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving: Serve with leftover gravy, extra cranberry sauce, or a creamy garlic aioli for dipping. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating: Place the balls on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes.Helpful Notes
- The Moisture Secret: If your mixture is too dry, add extra chicken broth one tablespoon at a time.
- Extra Crispy Finish: For an even crispier outside, lightly brush the balls with melted butter or a spray of cooking oil before baking.
- Make-Ahead & Freezing: Assemble the balls and store them in the fridge overnight before baking, or freeze them (baked or unbaked) for up to 3 months.
More Favorites from My Kitchen:
Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast: 3 Secrets for a Juicy Bird
Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta 9 Epic Weeknight Wins
Or go to my Pinterest.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe “Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls”
- Game-Changer Appetizer: This recipe transforms leftover turkey and stuffing into a delicious, savory appetizer or side dish. It’s a clever way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers.
- Perfect Texture: My method ensures a crispy, golden-brown exterior while the inside remains incredibly moist and flavorful.
- Versatile: These stuffing balls are so versatile. They’re perfect as a holiday appetizer, a side dish for a weeknight meal, or even a tasty lunchbox snack.
- Incredibly Easy: You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to make these crave-worthy bites. It’s an easy recipe that is still packed with flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
For the Stuffing Balls:
- 2 cups Bread Stuffing: I prefer to use a savory herb or sage stuffing for the best flavor.
- 1 cup Cooked Turkey: Leftover turkey is perfect for this, but you can also use shredded chicken or even sausage.
- 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries: Chopped finely to distribute the sweet and tangy flavor throughout.
- 1/2 cup Onion: Finely diced to create a flavorful base.
- 1/2 cup Celery: Diced to add a bit of fresh crunch.
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley: Chopped for a vibrant, fresh note.
- 1 large Egg: This acts as a binder to keep the balls from falling apart.
- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and helps the stuffing hold its shape.
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme: A classic herb that complements the turkey perfectly.
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
How to Make Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
- Preheat and Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the bread stuffing, shredded turkey, chopped dried cranberries, diced onion, diced celery, and chopped parsley. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, and gently toss the mixture to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate, small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and the egg until they are well combined. This is your “secret weapon” for moist, tender stuffing balls.
- Form the Balls: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix everything until the stuffing holds together when you squeeze it in your hand. Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time and gently roll it into a ball. Be careful not to compact them too much, as this can make them dense. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the balls are golden brown and hold their shape.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the stuffing balls from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce!
Serving and Storage Tips of Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
- Serving: These stuffing balls are perfect on their own, but I love to serve them with leftover gravy or an extra side of cranberry sauce for dipping. They also pair wonderfully with a creamy garlic aioli.
- Storage: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply place the balls on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until heated through.
Helpful Notes of Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
- The Moisture Secret: The key to keeping your stuffing balls moist is the perfect ratio of wet to dry ingredients. If your mixture feels too dry, add a little extra chicken broth, one tablespoon at a time, until it holds its shape.
- Extra Crispy Finish: For an even crispier outside, lightly brush the balls with melted butter or a spray of cooking oil before you bake them.
- Make-Ahead & Freezing: You can prepare these ahead of time! Assemble the balls and store them in the fridge overnight before baking. You can also freeze them, either baked or unbaked, for up to 3 months.
Conclusion of Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
This recipe for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls is more than just a clever way to use leftovers; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients and a little bit of technique can create something truly spectacular. The blend of savory stuffing, tangy cranberries, and savory turkey, all baked to crispy perfection, is a symphony of flavors that will make your holiday table, or any dinner table, feel special.
I hope you give this recipe a try and make it a part of your own family traditions. When you do, please come back and let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments and see your star rating. And if you snapped a photo, be sure to share it on your social media, it might just inspire a friend to get into the kitchen. What variations did you try? Did you add a dash of cayenne or a different herb? Let me know below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
How long to cook balls of stuffing?
Stuffing balls should be baked at 375°F (190°C) for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they are golden brown
How to know if stuffing balls are cooked?
They are cooked when they are golden brown on the outside and hold their shape.
How to make cranberry stuffing balls?
You make cranberry stuffing balls by combining leftover turkey, stuffing mix, cranberries, and other seasonings with a binder like egg and broth, then rolling the mixture into balls and baking them
How to keep turkey stuffing moist?
The key to moist stuffing is adding a binder like an egg and chicken broth to the mixture. If it still feels too dry, you can add more broth a tablespoon at a time
What are common stuffing mistakes?
Common mistakes include over-compacting the stuffing mixture, which can make it dense , or not adding enough moisture, which can make the stuffing dry.
What temperature should stuffing be cooked at?
Stuffing balls should be baked at 375°F (190°C)