Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe
Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls are a delicious and festive appetizer or side dish perfect for holiday meals. These flavorful balls combine ground turkey with dried cranberries, bread cubes, and aromatic herbs, baked to golden perfection for a moist and savory bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24-28 stuffing balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 4 cups dried bread cubes
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
Wet Ingredients & Seasonings
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the stuffing balls evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, dried cranberries, finely chopped celery, and finely chopped onion to create the base mixture.
- Prepare Turkey Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix the ground turkey with chicken broth, melted butter, beaten egg, dried sage, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This will help bind and flavor the mixture.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently add the turkey mixture to the bread mixture and fold carefully until everything is evenly incorporated without mashing the bread cubes too much.
- Form Balls: Shape the combined mixture into 1-inch balls, ensuring they are compact so they hold together during baking.
- Bake: Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked. Check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Serve: Serve the stuffing balls warm, optionally garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary for a colorful and fragrant touch.
Notes
- Using fresh herbs as garnish adds a bright flavor and appealing presentation.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F to guarantee the turkey is safely cooked.
- You can prepare these ahead of time and reheat them in the oven to maintain crispness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the dried bread cubes with gluten-free bread.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste, especially if using salted chicken broth.
Keywords: cranberry, turkey, stuffing balls, holiday appetizer, baked turkey balls, savory snacks, festive recipes
