Introduction

These Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are a delightful twist on traditional stuffing. Packed with juicy ground turkey, tart dried cranberries, and savory herbs, they make a perfect holiday side dish that’s easy to share and enjoy.

Close-up of crispy, golden-brown baked balls made from a mix of breadcrumbs, green herbs, finely chopped vegetables, and small bits of red dried fruit scattered on top, all showing a crunchy texture with browned edges and green herb pieces throughout. The balls appear soft inside with a crumbly outside, arranged closely together on a white surface with a white marbled texture visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, dried cranberries, breadcrumbs, diced onion, minced garlic, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Mix in the chicken broth, beaten eggs, and chopped parsley until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Shape the mixture into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the stuffing balls are cooked through and golden brown.
Step 6: Serve hot as a side dish or as part of your festive meal, and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra moisture, you can add a splash more chicken broth if the mixture feels too dry before shaping.
Swap dried cranberries for dried cherries or raisins for a different fruity note.
Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added crunch and texture.
Use fresh herbs like sage and thyme if available, finely chopped, for a brighter flavor.
Serve with a cranberry sauce drizzle for an extra festive touch.

Storage

Store leftover stuffing balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. They also freeze well—freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag and reheat from frozen with a few extra minutes in the oven.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of golden-brown crispy balls with a rough texture, each studded with red dried cranberries and small green bits, likely herbs or chopped vegetables. The balls are arranged in rows on a white plate, which sits on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a soft green leafy garnish adding contrast to the warm colors of the balls. The lighting highlights the crunchy texture and the mix of colors in the balls, making them look fresh and appetizing. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken is a good substitute and will work well in this recipe with a similar texture and flavor.

Do I have to bake these, or can I cook them on the stovetop?

Baking ensures the stuffing balls cook evenly and get nicely browned. Stovetop cooking might cause them to fall apart, so baking is recommended for best results.

Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 91 reviews

These Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls combine savory ground turkey with sweet dried cranberries and aromatic herbs, baked to golden perfection. Ideal as a flavorful side dish for holiday gatherings, they bring a delightful twist to traditional stuffing with moist, tender centers and a slightly crispy exterior.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: About 12 stuffing balls 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the optimum temperature for baking the stuffing balls evenly and thoroughly.
Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, dried cranberries, breadcrumbs, diced onion, minced garlic, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute all flavors evenly throughout the mixture.
Add Liquids: Incorporate the chicken broth, beaten eggs, and chopped parsley into the mixture. Stir well until all ingredients are fully blended, ensuring the mixture holds together when shaped.
Shape the Balls: Form the mixture into evenly sized balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The parchment paper helps prevent sticking and simplifies cleanup.
Bake: Bake the stuffing balls in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the exterior is golden brown and slightly crispy.
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the stuffing balls hot. They make a perfect side dish for festive meals, complementing turkey, ham, or other holiday mains.

Notes

Make sure the internal temperature of the stuffing balls reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safely cooked.
You can substitute fresh herbs for dried, using about three times the amount for fresh herbs.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Leftover stuffing balls can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Optional: Add chopped nuts like pecans for extra texture and flavor.

Keywords: cranberry stuffing balls, turkey stuffing balls, festive side dish, holiday stuffing, baked stuffing balls, cranberry turkey recipe