Okay, picture this: Thanksgiving. Everyone’s milling around, the turkey’s almost ready, and you need something *amazing* to tide them over. Forget those fussy appetizers that take forever! That’s where my Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls come in. They’re seriously the easiest, most flavorful little bites *ever*. Sweet cranberries, savory turkey and stuffing…trust me, the combo is a total winner!
My family? They go NUTS for these. Last year, I made a double batch, and they were gone before the gravy even hit the table! My Aunt Carol even tried to sneak a few extra into her purse – I saw her! They’re just that good, and honestly, so simple even *I* can’t mess them up. We’re talking minimal effort, maximum flavor, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Seriously, you NEED these at your next holiday get-together.
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Okay, so why *these* stuffing balls? Let me tell you, they’re a game-changer. Think:
- Super quick prep – we’re talking minutes!
- Crazy easy to make (even for kitchen newbies).
- That sweet-and-savory flavor? OMG.
- Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a random Tuesday appetizer craving!
Quick and Easy Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Seriously, if I can whip these up after a long day, *anyone* can! It’s basically dump, mix, roll, and bake. No fancy techniques, no crazy ingredients. Just simple goodness in every bite of these cranberry turkey stuffing balls.
The Perfect Holiday Appetizer: Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Tired of the same old boring appetizers? These cranberry turkey stuffing balls are your answer! They’re festive, flavorful, and a total crowd-pleaser. Thanksgiving? Christmas? Potluck? Boom! You’re the star with these little guys!
Ingredients for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You’ll need: 1 lb ground turkey, 1 cup cooked cranberries (the canned stuff is totally fine, I won’t judge!), 1 cup stuffing mix (I usually grab the seasoned kind to save time, but plain works too!), 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1 large egg, beaten, 1 tsp sage, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Easy peasy!
How to Make Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Okay, let’s get down to business! Making these cranberry turkey stuffing balls is so easy, you’ll be amazed. I promise! Just follow these steps, and you’ll be snacking in no time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
First things first: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Don’t skip this! You want a nice, even bake. Now, grab a big bowl – the biggest one you’ve got! Throw in your ground turkey, cooked cranberries, stuffing mix, chopped onion, chicken broth, beaten egg, sage, salt, and pepper.
Here’s the fun part: Mix it all together! Get your hands in there (or use a spoon, whatever floats your boat). Make sure everything is evenly distributed. You don’t want a mouthful of just cranberries, trust me. Once it’s all mixed up, start rolling the mixture into balls. About 1-inch in size is perfect. Don’t stress about them being perfect spheres – rustic is cute! Pop those cranberry turkey stuffing balls onto a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for golden brown and cooked through.
Tips for Perfectly Baked Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Wanna make sure they’re *perfect*? Rotate the baking sheet halfway through to ensure even cooking. Nobody wants a pale side! If you’re worried about them drying out, you can add a tablespoon or two more chicken broth to the mixture. And for that gorgeous golden-brown color? A light brush of melted butter before baking does the trick every time!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Okay, let’s talk swaps! Sometimes you’re missing an ingredient, or maybe you just wanna get creative. No problem! These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are super forgiving. Here’s the lowdown on some common questions I get about ingredients and what you can tweak.
Can I use Leftover Turkey for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls?
Absolutely! In fact, using leftover cooked turkey is a *fantastic* way to make these! Just chop it up really fine – almost shredded. You’ll need about a pound, just like the ground turkey. Boom! Thanksgiving leftovers just got a whole lot more exciting!
Variations of Stuffing for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Stuffing mix is where you can really play around! I usually grab the seasoned kind ’cause I’m lazy, but plain stuffing mix works great too. Just add a little extra sage, thyme, or poultry seasoning to give it a boost. Cornbread stuffing? Oh yeah! Just adjust the seasonings to match. Get creative and make ’em your own!
Serving Suggestions for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Okay, so you’ve got these amazing Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls… now what? Well, gravy is a no-brainer! But cranberry sauce? YES! The extra tang is *chef’s kiss*. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, a little bowl of Dijon mustard for dipping. Trust me, all are winners!
Storing and Reheating Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Got leftovers? Lucky you! These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are delish the next day (or even the day after that!). Just pop ’em in an airtight container and stick ’em in the fridge. They’ll be good for about 3-4 days.
Wanna freeze ’em? Go for it! Lay them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then toss ’em in a freezer bag. That way, they won’t stick together. When you’re ready to reheat, just bake ’em at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. Or, if you’re impatient like me, a quick zap in the microwave works too!
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls: Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about these little guys? I bet you do! Here are some of the most common things people ask me about my Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls. Don’t be shy – if you’ve got a burning question I haven’t answered, leave a comment!
Can I Make Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Ahead of Time?
Heck yeah, you can! That’s one of the things I love most about ’em! Just make the mixture, roll ’em into balls, and then pop ’em in the fridge (covered, of course) until you’re ready to bake. I wouldn’t do it more than a day ahead, though.
Are Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Gluten-Free?
Sadly, as written, no. Most stuffing mixes have gluten. But! You can totally make them gluten-free by using a gluten-free stuffing mix. Easy peasy! Just double-check the label to be sure. There are some surprisingly good GF stuffing mixes out there now!
Can I Freeze Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls?
You betcha! Freezing is a great option. Like I said before, freeze them individually on a baking sheet first, then toss ’em in a freezer bag. That keeps them from becoming one giant stuffing ball blob. When you’re ready to eat, bake them straight from frozen at 350°F (175°C) until they’re heated through. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutritional Information for Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m not a nutritionist, and the nutrition info below is just an estimate! It’ll change depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use. So, take it with a grain of salt, okay? Just wanted to give you a general idea!
Enjoy Your Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls!
Alright, that’s it! You’re officially ready to make some seriously awesome Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls. I’m betting everyone’s gonna LOVE them! Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know how they turned out! And hey, if you’re feeling social, snap a pic and tag me – I wanna see your creations!
Print
Devastatingly Delicious: 1 lb Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Delicious cranberry turkey stuffing balls, perfect for appetizers or a holiday side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup cooked cranberries
- 1 cup stuffing mix
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp sage
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, cranberries, stuffing mix, onion, chicken broth, egg, sage, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Roll mixture into 1-inch balls.
- Place balls on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- You can use leftover cooked turkey instead of ground turkey.
- Add more chicken broth if the mixture is too dry.
- Serve with gravy or cranberry sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 balls
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
