Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are a delicious and festive appetizer featuring ground turkey mixed with fresh cranberries, herbs, and breadcrumbs, baked to golden perfection. These bite-sized treats offer a perfect balance of savory and tangy flavors, ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime snacking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Stuffing Mixture
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup chicken broth
Finishing
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffing balls.
- Prepare the Stuffing: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, fresh cranberries, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, celery, minced garlic, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, pepper, eggs, and chicken broth. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form the Balls: Using your hands, take a handful of the mixture and roll it into balls approximately 1 to 1½ inches in diameter, ensuring they are compact.
- Arrange on a Baking Sheet: Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Place the formed stuffing balls evenly spaced on the sheet to allow even cooking.
- Drizzle with Olive Oil: Lightly drizzle the tops of the stuffing balls with olive oil to help them brown and crisp while baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the stuffing balls for 25 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the stuffing balls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or pork if preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- If fresh cranberries are not available, dried cranberries can be used but reduce added salt accordingly.
- Make sure to pack the balls firmly to avoid them falling apart during baking.
- Serve with a dipping sauce like cranberry sauce or a savory gravy for extra flavor.
