Irresistible Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls – A Festive Holiday Favorite Recipe
These Irresistible Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls combine lean ground turkey with flavorful herbs, dried cranberries, and your favorite prepared stuffing, making them a perfect festive appetizer or side dish for holiday gatherings. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, their savory and slightly sweet profile is completed with optional Parmesan cheese and served beautifully with turkey gravy or extra cranberry sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 stuffing balls
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey (85–93% lean)
- 1½ cups prepared stuffing (boxed or homemade, cooled)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup dried cranberries (or chopped fresh)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Turkey gravy or extra cranberry sauce for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, prepared stuffing, egg, dried cranberries, chopped parsley, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the grated Parmesan cheese if using. Mix everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form the stuffing balls: Using your hands or a scoop, shape the mixture into 1 to 1½-inch balls, placing them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the stuffing balls: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the turkey is fully cooked and the stuffing balls are golden brown on the outside.
- Serve and garnish: Remove the stuffing balls from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Pair with warm turkey gravy or extra cranberry sauce for dipping to enhance the festive flavors.
Notes
- You can use either boxed stuffing or a homemade variety; just ensure it’s cooled before mixing.
- Fresh cranberries can be used chopped if dried are not available but may change sweetness and texture slightly.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the Parmesan cheese.
- These stuffing balls can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- To reheat, bake in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.