Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe
Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are a delightful holiday side dish combining lean ground turkey with sweet dried cranberries, aromatic herbs, and breadcrumbs. Baked to golden perfection, these flavorful balls bring a fresh twist to traditional stuffing, perfect for Thanksgiving or any festive gathering.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 stuffing balls 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is hot enough for baking the stuffing balls evenly.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, dried cranberries, breadcrumbs, diced onion, minced garlic, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute all flavors evenly.
- Add Liquids: Incorporate the chicken broth, beaten eggs, and chopped parsley into the mixture. Stir well until everything is well combined and the mixture holds together.
- Shape the Balls: Shape the mixture into evenly sized balls, about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the stuffing balls are cooked through and have turned golden brown on the outside.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot as a delicious side dish or part of your festive meal, enjoying the balance of savory turkey and sweet cranberries.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Make sure the turkey mixture is not too wet; if it is, add a bit more breadcrumbs to help with shaping.
- These stuffing balls can be prepared in advance and frozen before baking; bake from frozen adding an extra 5-7 minutes.
- Serve with a dollop of cranberry sauce or gravy for extra moisture and flavor.
- Use fresh herbs if available for a more vibrant taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffing balls (approximately 100g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: cranberry turkey stuffing balls, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving stuffing, baked turkey balls, festive stuffing recipe