Introduction

Oh, the holidays! They always bring back such wonderful memories, don’t they? I can almost smell the cinnamon and hear the crackling fireplace. And if there’s one thing that truly screams “comfort and joy” to me, it’s the perfect bite of stuffing. But this year, we’re taking that beloved flavor and giving it a fun, bite-sized makeover with these Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls. They’re incredibly simple to whip up, making them a lifesaver for busy holiday hosts or even just a cozy weeknight treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Ready in under 40 minutes from start to finish!
Easy: Just mix, roll, and bake – no complicated steps here.
Giftable: Package them up in cute tins for a homemade holiday gift.
Crowd-pleasing: These little flavor bombs are a hit with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful stuffing balls:

1 lb ground turkey: A lean and flavorful base that makes these balls extra wholesome.
1 cup fresh cranberries: For that pop of tartness and festive color!
1 cup breadcrumbs: Your classic stuffing binder, keeping everything perfectly moist.
1 medium onion, finely chopped: Adds a lovely sweet and savory depth.
1 stalk celery, finely chopped: For that essential, subtle crunch and earthy note.
2 cloves garlic, minced: Because everything is better with a little garlic!
1 tsp dried sage: The quintessential herb for stuffing.
1 tsp dried thyme: Adds a delicate, earthy aroma that complements the sage beautifully.
1 tsp salt: To bring all the flavors together.
½ tsp pepper: Just a little kick to awaken your taste buds.
2 large eggs: Our binder, making sure everything holds its shape.
½ cup chicken broth: Adds moisture and helps create that tender, stuffing-like texture.
Olive oil, for drizzling: To give them a lovely golden-brown finish.

How to Make It

Let’s get these yummy stuffing balls in the oven! It’s as easy as pie… well, maybe even easier!

Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). You’ll want it nice and toasty for our little balls.
Combine everything: Grab a big bowl. Toss in the ground turkey, fresh cranberries, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, chopped celery, minced garlic, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, pepper, eggs, and chicken broth.
Mix it up: Now, get your hands in there (or use a sturdy spoon) and mix it all together until everything is nicely combined. You want all those delicious flavors to mingle!
Roll ’em out: Take about a tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll it between your palms to form 1-inch balls. Think of them as little flavor treasures!
Prep your baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (for easy cleanup!) or just arrange your balls directly on it. Make sure they’re in a single layer so they bake evenly.
A little drizzle: Lightly drizzle a bit of olive oil over the balls. This is our secret to that gorgeous golden-brown exterior.
Bake to perfection: Pop them into your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for them to be beautifully golden brown and cooked all the way through.

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling creative? Or maybe you’re missing an ingredient? No worries, these stuffing balls are super forgiving!

Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs will give you a slightly crispier texture, while seasoned stuffing breadcrumbs can boost the flavor even more. You can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
Herbs: If you have fresh sage or thyme, use about 1 tablespoon chopped of each instead of dried. Fresh rosemary is also a lovely addition!
Veggies: Feel free to add finely chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a little grated carrot for extra goodness.
Spice: For a little warmth, a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cayenne pepper can be lovely.
Binder: If you don’t have eggs, you can try 1/4 cup of applesauce or a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes) as a binder.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets from my kitchen to yours to make sure your stuffing balls are absolutely perfect:

Don’t overmix: Once everything is combined, stop mixing. Overmixing can lead to tough meatballs.
Wet hands for rolling: If the mixture is a little sticky, dampening your hands with water can make rolling the balls much easier.
Even-sized balls: Try to make your balls roughly the same size so they bake evenly. A tablespoon measuring spoon can be a great guide for portioning.
Prep ahead: You can mix the entire mixture (up to step 3) a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then, just roll and bake when you’re ready!
Cool slightly: Let the balls cool for a few minutes after baking before serving. They’ll be easier to handle and the flavors will meld beautifully.

How to Store It

Got leftovers? Lucky you! These stuffing balls are just as delicious the next day.

In the Fridge: Once cooled completely, store your stuffing balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, you can pop them back in the oven at around 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through, or gently reheat them in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Freezing: These balls freeze wonderfully! Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven.

FAQs

Got some burning questions? I’ve got you covered!

Can I make these vegetarian? Absolutely! You can easily swap the ground turkey for plant-based ground “meat” or finely crumbled firm tofu.
What’s the best way to serve these? They’re fantastic on their own as an appetizer, alongside a holiday meal as a fun alternative to traditional stuffing, or even dipped in cranberry sauce or gravy!
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh? While fresh cranberries offer a lovely burst of tartness, you can use sweetened dried cranberries. You might want to reduce the salt slightly if using sweetened ones.

Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Easy, bite-sized stuffing balls with ground turkey and fresh cranberries, perfect for holidays or weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Equipment

Baking Sheet lined with parchment paper
Big bowl

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 lb ground turkey A lean and flavorful base that makes these balls extra wholesome.
1 cup fresh cranberries For that pop of tartness and festive color!
1 cup breadcrumbs Your classic stuffing binder, keeping everything perfectly moist.
1 medium onion finely chopped. Adds a lovely sweet and savory depth.
1 stalk celery finely chopped. For that essential, subtle crunch and earthy note.
2 cloves garlic minced. Because everything is better with a little garlic!
1 tsp dried sage The quintessential herb for stuffing.
1 tsp dried thyme Adds a delicate, earthy aroma that complements the sage beautifully.
1 tsp salt To bring all the flavors together.
0.5 tsp pepper Just a little kick to awaken your taste buds.
2 large eggs Our binder, making sure everything holds its shape.
0.5 cup chicken broth Adds moisture and helps create that tender, stuffing-like texture.
Olive oil for drizzling. To give them a lovely golden-brown finish.

Instructions

Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Toss together ground turkey, fresh cranberries, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, chopped celery, minced garlic, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, pepper, eggs, and chicken broth in a big bowl.
Mix everything together until nicely combined.
Roll about a tablespoon of the mixture at a time into 1-inch balls.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or arrange balls directly on it in a single layer.
Lightly drizzle olive oil over the balls.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until beautifully golden brown and cooked through.

Notes

Don't overmix. Dampen hands with water if mixture is sticky. Make balls even-sized for even baking. Mixture can be prepped a day in advance. Let balls cool slightly before serving.