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Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Recipe by Evelyn Marcella Rivera

Golden, herb-seasoned turkey and stuffing mix rolled into bite-sized balls with sweet-tart dried cranberries, baked until deeply golden and juicy. A crowd-pleasing holiday appetiser or easy weeknight dinner that tastes like Thanksgiving in every single bite.


  • Total Time35 minutes
  • Yield4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

Stuffing Balls

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 2 cups stuffing mix (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted (optional, for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Line: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Mix the Stuffing Ball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, stuffing mix, dried cranberries, chicken broth, beaten egg, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined — do not overmix.
  3. Roll Into Balls: Divide the mixture into 16 golf ball-sized portions and roll each gently between your palms until round. Place on the prepared baking sheet with space between each ball.
  4. Brush With Butter: If using, brush each ball generously with melted butter for a golden, crisp exterior.
  5. Bake Until Cooked Through: Bake for 20–25 minutes until the outsides are golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre reads 165°F (74°C).
  6. Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes before serving warm with gravy or cranberry sauce.

Notes

Do not overmix the turkey mixture — stop as soon as no dry patches remain. Roll balls to a consistent golf-ball size for even cooking. Always verify internal temperature reaches 165°F with an instant-read thermometer. If the mixture is too crumbly to hold its shape, add an extra tablespoon of broth at a time until it just comes together. Melted butter brushed on before baking is optional but strongly recommended for the best golden exterior. Let rest 2 minutes before serving. Leftovers reheat well at 350°F covered with foil or microwave in 60-second intervals.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 290
  • Sodium: 520
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Protein: 22
  • Cholesterol: 115