Introduction

Turkey stuffing balls are a delicious way to enjoy classic holiday flavors in a fun, bite-sized form. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, they make a perfect appetizer or side dish. Plus, they’re easy to customize and serve with your favorite gravy or sauce.

A white plate holds a stack of six round mashed potato balls with a golden brown crispy outer layer, showing soft white mashed potato inside on some parts. Each ball is drizzled with smooth brown gravy that has small black pepper specks, with the gravy pooling slightly at the bottom of the plate. Small green herb pieces are visible on and around the potato balls. The background shows a soft-focus white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups mashed potatoes
3 cups stuffing
1½ cups shredded turkey
Gravy for serving
Black pepper to taste
Panko breadcrumbs (optional)
Butter or oil for frying (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Bring all ingredients to room temperature. Warm the mashed potatoes slightly if needed and moisten the stuffing with broth if it feels dry.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes and stuffing. Fold in the shredded turkey and season with black pepper to taste.
Step 3: Form the mixture into 12 golf ball-sized portions.
Step 4: Choose your cooking method:
1. Baked version: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place the balls on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes until hot and crispy.
2. Pan-fried version: Roll the balls in panko breadcrumbs. Heat butter or oil in a nonstick pan and fry the balls until golden brown, turning gently to cook evenly.
Step 5: Serve immediately topped with hot gravy. Cranberry sauce can be added for a festive touch.

Tips & Variations

If the mixture feels too wet to form balls, add a little extra stuffing or breadcrumbs to help bind it.
Try adding finely chopped herbs like sage or parsley for extra flavor.
For a crispier crust without frying, sprinkle the balls lightly with oil before baking.
Use leftover turkey and stuffing to create this recipe with minimal prep time.

Storage

Store leftover turkey stuffing balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the texture firm. For longer storage, freeze the balls on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month, then bake or fry from frozen with added cooking time.

How to Serve

The image shows six round mashed potato balls, some browned on the outside with a slightly crispy texture, and others soft with visible green herb flecks mixed in. Three of the balls are topped with a thick, smooth brown gravy that glistens under light, pooling slightly at the base of each ball on a long white dish. In the background, there is a small white rectangular bowl filled with reddish-brown sauce. The setup is on a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the turkey stuffing balls, then refrigerate or freeze them before cooking. Just adjust cooking times accordingly when baking or frying from cold or frozen.

What can I serve with turkey stuffing balls?

They pair well with traditional gravy, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad for a complete meal or appetizer spread.

Turkey Stuffing Balls with Gravy Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 71 reviews

Delicious and comforting turkey stuffing balls made by combining mashed potatoes, stuffing, and shredded turkey, then baked or pan-fried to perfection and served with warm gravy. A perfect holiday or leftover makeover dish that’s crispy on the outside and tender inside.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 12 turkey stuffing balls 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking and Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

3 cups mashed potatoes
3 cups stuffing
1½ cups shredded turkey
Black pepper to taste

For Serving

Gravy for serving
Cranberry sauce (optional)

Optional for Pan-Fried Version

Panko breadcrumbs
Butter or oil for frying

Instructions

Prep Ingredients: Bring all ingredients to room temperature. Warm the mashed potatoes slightly if needed to make mixing easier. Moisten the stuffing with broth if it feels dry to ensure a cohesive mixture.
Mix & Form: In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes and stuffing thoroughly. Fold in the shredded turkey and season with black pepper to taste. Mix gently but well.
Shape Balls: Form the mixture into 12 golf ball-sized portions, ensuring they hold together tightly.
Choose Your Cooking Method: For the baked version, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the turkey stuffing balls on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until heated through and crispy on the outside. For the pan-fried version, roll each ball in panko breadcrumbs to add crunchy texture. Heat butter or oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat and fry the balls until golden brown, turning gently to cook evenly on all sides.
Serve: Serve the turkey stuffing balls immediately while hot. Top generously with warm gravy and add cranberry sauce on the side if desired for a festive touch.

Notes

The potatoes and stuffing should ideally be at room temperature before mixing to help bind ingredients better.
Moistening dry stuffing with broth improves texture and prevents the balls from falling apart.
Panko breadcrumbs add a crispy crust when pan-frying but can be omitted for the baked version.
These turkey stuffing balls can be customized by adding herbs like sage or thyme to the mixture for extra flavor.
Leftover turkey stuffing balls can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

Keywords: turkey stuffing balls, holiday leftovers recipe, mashed potatoes balls, stuffing recipe, Thanksgiving leftovers, baked stuffing balls, fried stuffing balls