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Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls – Cozy, Make-Ahead Holiday Appetizer


  • Author: Chef Emma
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 24 stuffing balls 1x

Description

Tender, savory, and lightly sweet, these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls bring all the comforting flavors of Thanksgiving into one cozy bite. Perfect as a make-ahead holiday appetizer or a creative way to use leftover turkey.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp dried sage
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • Olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Combine breadcrumbs, onion, celery, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  3. Add turkey, cranberries, eggs, and broth. Mix until the texture is moist but firm.
  4. Roll into 1-inch balls and arrange on the prepared sheet.
  5. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm with gravy or cranberry sauce.

Notes

To make ahead, shape the mixture and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. For longer storage, freeze unbaked balls and bake directly from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes to cooking time.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 stuffing balls
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Protein: 9g

Keywords: holiday appetizer, thanksgiving recipe, turkey leftovers, cranberry stuffing balls