Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe
Delicious and easy-to-make Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls combine lean ground turkey with dried cranberries, savory herbs, and bread cubes for a perfect holiday appetizer or side dish that is both flavorful and wholesome.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 stuffing balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 4 cups dried bread cubes
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, beaten
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffing balls.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the dried bread cubes, dried cranberries, finely chopped celery, and finely chopped onion to create the stuffing base.
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Turkey: In a separate bowl, combine the ground turkey with chicken broth, melted unsalted butter, beaten egg, dried sage, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly mixed.
- Combine All Ingredients: Add the turkey mixture into the bowl with the bread and vegetable mixture. Gently fold together until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form the Stuffing Balls: Shape the combined mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands and place them evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the stuffing balls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fully cooked. Use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (74°C) for safety.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve the stuffing balls warm, optionally garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or rosemary for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Make sure to check the internal temperature of the stuffing balls to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level; adjust seasoning accordingly.
- These stuffing balls can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground turkey with plant-based ground meat or additional vegetables.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary make great garnishes and add a burst of freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 stuffing balls (approx. 90g)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: cranberry stuffing balls, turkey stuffing balls, holiday appetizers, baked turkey balls, savory cranberry bites
