The holiday season is a magical time, filled with warmth, joy, and of course, incredible food! While classic dishes hold a special place in our hearts, sometimes it's fun to introduce a fresh, exciting twist. This year, delight your guests and family with these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls – a perfect blend of savory and sweet that transforms traditional stuffing into a bite-sized sensation.
These flavorful spheres are not just easy to make but also incredibly versatile, serving as an elegant appetizer or a unique side dish. Forget the hassle of scooping; these individual portions are perfect for mingling and savoring every festive bite!
Why Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Are a Holiday Must-Have
Our Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls take all the comforting flavors of your favorite holiday stuffing and roll them into a delightful new format. The tender ground turkey provides a rich, savory base, beautifully complemented by the bright, tart burst of dried cranberries. Infused with aromatic herbs like sage and thyme, each ball offers a symphony of tastes that perfectly captures the spirit of the season.
The Perfect Balance of Sweet & Savory
The magic truly happens with the combination of ingredients. Earthy poultry flavors meld with the slight sweetness of cranberries and fragrant herbs, creating a harmonious profile that is both familiar and exciting. They bake to a beautiful golden brown, boasting a wonderfully moist interior.
Make Ahead & Entertain with Ease
One of the best features of these stuffing balls is their make-ahead potential, allowing you more time to enjoy your guests during holiday gatherings. You can prepare the mixture and form the balls hours, or even a day, in advance. This reduces last-minute stress and ensures a smooth, enjoyable cooking experience.
Essential Ingredients for Your Stuffing Balls
Creating these festive stuffing balls requires a simple list of ingredients that you likely already have or can easily find. The foundation is stale bread, which is crucial for absorbing moisture and achieving the right texture. You'll also need lean ground turkey, aromatic vegetables, dried cranberries for that signature tartness, and a blend of classic herbs. For a wonderful accompaniment, you might consider preparing a Easy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad: Your 15-Minute Recipe Guide! to serve alongside, or even incorporate some of those flavors into a dipping sauce for these balls!
Crafting Your Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
The process for these stuffing balls is straightforward. You'll begin by sautéing your ground turkey and vegetables until tender. Then, you'll combine this savory mixture with your cubed stale bread, cranberries, and a flavorful liquid to bind everything together. Once mixed, roll them into uniform balls and bake until golden brown and cooked through. Be sure to refer to the detailed recipe card below for precise measurements and steps!
Tips for Perfect Stuffing Balls
- Stale Bread is Key: Day-old or slightly toasted bread works best. Fresh bread can lead to a mushy texture.
- Don't Overmix: Mix just until combined to keep the stuffing light and tender. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to denser balls.
- Moisture Balance: Add broth gradually. The mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape when squeezed but not wet.
- Even Sizing: Use a cookie scoop or your hands to create uniformly sized balls for even cooking.
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment with other herbs like rosemary or a pinch of allspice. A splash of apple cider or white wine can also add depth.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are incredibly versatile. Serve them as an impressive appetizer with a warm gravy or a sweet cranberry relish. They also make a fantastic side dish for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, providing a convenient and delicious alternative to traditional stuffing. They pair beautifully with roasted turkey, chicken, or pork. For another refreshing side that complements holiday meals, try our Delightful Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Pecans: A Refreshing Recipe. Learn more about the fascinating history of stuffing and its culinary evolution on Wikipedia!
Enjoy Your Festive Creation!
Whether you're hosting a grand holiday feast or a cozy family dinner, these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Their festive flavors and convenient form make them an irresistible addition to any celebration. Happy cooking!
FAQs
Can I prepare Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the stuffing mixture a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Form the balls just before baking, or bake them completely and gently reheat them in the oven or air fryer when ready to serve.
What type of bread is best for stuffing balls?
Stale bread is ideal because it absorbs moisture without becoming soggy. Day-old white bread, sourdough, or even cornbread works wonderfully. For extra flavor, you can lightly toast the bread cubes before combining them with the other ingredients.
How should I serve Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls?
These versatile stuffing balls are excellent as a festive appetizer with a side of gravy or a tangy cranberry dipping sauce. They also make a fantastic, portion-controlled side dish for your holiday turkey, chicken, or other roasted meats, offering a fun alternative to traditional pan stuffing.
Can I make these stuffing balls vegetarian or with a different meat?
Absolutely! For a vegetarian version, omit the ground turkey and consider adding sautu00e9ed mushrooms, onions, and perhaps some plant-based sausage for added flavor and texture. If you want to use a different meat, ground chicken or a blend of ground pork and turkey would also work well.
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24-30 balls 1x
- Diet: High-protein
Description
These festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are a savory, sweet, and perfectly portioned appetizer or side dish, ideal for any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey (lean)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
6 cups stale bread cubes (from white, sourdough, or cornbread)
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chicken or turkey broth (low sodium)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat and set the turkey aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened and translucent. Stir in the dried sage, thyme, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground turkey, sautéed vegetables, stale bread cubes, and dried cranberries.
Step 5: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the chicken/turkey broth and the lightly beaten egg. Pour this liquid mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Gently mix with your hands or a spoon until everything is well combined and moist, but do not overmix.
Step 6: Using a small ice cream scoop or your hands, roll the mixture into 1.5 to 2-inch balls. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each.
Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the stuffing balls are golden brown and heated through. For an extra crispy exterior, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve warm with gravy or cranberry sauce.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of poultry seasoning or a splash of dry white wine to the broth mixture. If your bread is not stale, cut it into cubes and toast it lightly in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes until dried out. These stuffing balls reheat well in an air fryer for crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 balls
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
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