Amazing Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls in 25 Mins

Oh, these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are just the *sparkle* your holiday table needs! Seriously, I whip these up every year, and they disappear faster than Santa’s cookies. They’re like a little bite of Thanksgiving, but way more fun and way easier to pop into your mouth while you’re mingling. The mix of that savory turkey and stuffing, with those little bursts of tart cranberry? It’s pure magic, and it always brings back memories of my first Christmas hosting, trying to impress everyone and these little guys were the absolute stars!

Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Seriously, you are going to adore these little flavor bombs! They’re honestly a lifesaver when you’re juggling all the holiday madness.

• They’re just so darn quick and easy to put together. Like, you can practically make them while you’re chatting with guests!
• That combo of the savory turkey and stuffing with those bright, tart cranberries? It’s just a match made in holiday heaven. So good!
• Plus, they’re perfectly bite-sized, making them super easy to grab and eat while you’re holding a drink or trying to catch up. No messy plates needed!
• Everyone goes nuts for them. They’re a total crowd-pleaser, perfect for any holiday party, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just because.
• And if you have leftover turkey? This is the absolute best way to use it up and give those classic stuffing flavors a fun, new twist. You won’t even miss the big platter of stuffing!

Essential Ingredients for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need for these little holiday heroes. It’s pretty straightforward, and you might even have some of it already! First up, you’ll want about a pound of ground turkey. I find the regular kind works great, but you do you! Then, grab yourself a cup of prepared bread stuffing – whatever kind you like best, really. This is where that classic stuffing flavor comes from. You’ll also need half a cup of fresh cranberries, and make sure they’re chopped up. They add that lovely tartness that cuts through the richness. Don’t skip chopping them; whole ones can be a bit much! We’ll also need a quarter cup each of finely chopped onion and celery. These little guys add so much flavor and a nice bit of texture. An egg, all beaten up, is our binder to hold everything together. And a little splash of chicken broth, about a quarter cup, helps keep things moist. Oh, and you absolutely *must* have poultry seasoning – about a teaspoon of that. And of course, salt and pepper to taste, because everything needs a little seasoning, right? If you’re feeling fancy, having some cranberry sauce on the side for dipping is a total game-changer!

Ingredient Notes and Smart Substitutions for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

So, let’s talk turkey – or rather, what kind of turkey. If you happen to have some leftover cooked turkey from a big meal, just chop it up super fine! It works just as well as ground turkey, maybe even better if you want that extra homey feel. And if ground chicken is more your jam, go for it! It’ll still be delicious. Now, for the bread stuffing, you can really use any kind you love. A classic sage or herb stuffing is amazing, but don’t be afraid to experiment! Maybe a cornbread stuffing or even a sourdough one? Yum! Just make sure it’s prepared stuffing, not the dry mix you have to add butter and broth to yourself, unless you want to do those steps separately. If you’re out of chicken broth, a little bit of turkey broth or even water will do in a pinch. And if you’re not a fan of celery? You can always add a bit more onion or even some finely chopped bell pepper for a different kind of crunch. The goal is to make it work for YOU!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Okay, getting these happy little balls made is honestly the fun part! It’s not complicated at all, and if you can mix things in a bowl and roll them, you’re basically golden. Trust me, the payoff is SO worth it!

Preparing the Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Mixture

First things first, grab a big mixing bowl. You want something sturdy! Toss in your ground turkey, that prepared bread stuffing, your chopped fresh cranberries, and the finely chopped onion and celery. Now, crack in that beaten egg and pour in the chicken broth. Don’t forget your poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper! The key here is to get your hands in there and mix it all up really well. You want everything to be evenly distributed so you get that perfect flavor in every single bite. Just mix until it’s all one happy, combined mixture. Don’t overmix, though, or it can get a bit tough!

Shaping and Baking Your Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Once everything is mixed, it’s time for the assembly line! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and give a baking sheet a little grease-up so nothing sticks. Now, just scoop out small portions of the mixture, about an inch in size, and roll them between your palms to form little balls. They don’t need to be perfect, just nice and round-ish. Place them onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them. Pop them in the preheated oven and let them bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re beautifully golden brown on the outside and cooked all the way through. Easy peasy!

Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Okay, so you’ve mixed and rolled, and you’re ready for perfection! A little tip to make sure these little guys don’t decide to take a tumble apart in the oven is to really get your hands in there and mix that turkey mixture thoroughly. Like, really work it until it’s all combined – that helps bind everything together. If you’re worried about them sticking, a light greasing of the baking sheet is a must, or you can even use a silicone baking mat. For that gorgeous golden-brown exterior, just bake them until they look lovely and toasted all over. And hey, if you’re planning a big party, these are total lifesavers for making ahead! Just bake them, let them cool completely, then pop them into an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two. When you’re ready to serve, just pop them back in the oven for about 10-15 minutes to warm them through. They’re almost as good the second time around!

Serving and Storing Your Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

These little beauties are best served warm, fresh out of the oven! They’re absolutely divine on their own, but honestly, they sing when you have a little something to dip them in. That cranberry sauce you set aside earlier? Perfect! It adds that extra pop of tartness that just makes everything come alive. You can also whip up a quick gravy if you want to get really fancy. If, by some miracle, you have any leftovers (which I highly doubt!), just let them cool completely. Then, pop them into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, just spread them on a baking sheet and pop them back into a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes until they’re nice and warm all the way through. They’ll still taste amazing!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Got questions? I’ve got answers! People always ask me about these little guys, and I’m happy to spill the beans.

Can I make Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls ahead of time?

Oh, absolutely! This is one of my favorite things about them. You can totally make the mixture, roll them into balls, and store them on a baking sheet in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just cover them well! Then, when you’re ready to serve, bake them as directed, maybe adding a few extra minutes since they’re starting out cold. They’re still just as delicious!

What kind of bread stuffing works best for these balls?

Honestly, you can use almost any kind of prepared bread stuffing you like! A classic herb or sage stuffing is fantastic and gives you that traditional Thanksgiving vibe. But if you’re feeling adventurous, a cornbread stuffing adds a lovely sweetness, or even a sourdough stuffing can give it a nice little tang. Just make sure it’s the kind that’s already seasoned, not the plain bread cubes you have to add everything to yourself.

Are there any variations for Chicken Stuffing Meatballs?

You bet! If you’re not a huge fan of turkey, or just want to switch things up, ground chicken works like a dream in this recipe. It makes them totally delicious Chicken Stuffing Meatballs! You’ll follow all the same steps, and they’ll come out just as tasty. The cranberries and stuffing still give them that amazing holiday flavor, no matter what poultry you use.

How do I ensure my Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls don’t dry out?

The trick to keeping them moist is really in the mix! Make sure you don’t overbake them – 20-25 minutes is usually perfect. Also, the chicken broth and the cranberries themselves add a lot of moisture, so don’t skip those. If you’re worried, you can always bake them for just 20 minutes, check one, and if it’s cooked through, they’re good to go. A little bit of moisture inside is what makes them so yummy!

Nutritional Estimate for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Just so you know, these estimates are based on about 4 balls per serving. They’re roughly around 180 calories, with about 8 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs, and 10 grams of protein. Keep in mind that these numbers can change a bit depending on the exact brands you use and what kind of stuffing you pick. Happy baking!

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