Festive, savory holiday bites
These cranberry turkey stuffing balls are the ultimate holiday side dish or appetizer—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with cozy seasonal flavor. Made with lean ground turkey, classic stuffing mix, and pops of sweet-tart cranberries, they’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you’re craving comfort food in bite-sized form. They bake up quickly in the oven, making them a great make-ahead option for busy holiday cooking days. Serve them with gravy, cranberry sauce, or even as a fun party appetizer that everyone will reach for again and again.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: About 18–20 balls
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 cups prepared stuffing mix (dry)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup celery, finely diced
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup turkey or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small cookie scoop or spoon
🧆 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven. Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the base. In a large bowl, add ground turkey, stuffing mix, cranberries, onion, and celery.
- Season it. Sprinkle in poultry seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bind the mixture. Add egg, broth, and melted butter. Mix gently until just combined—don’t overwork it 😊
- Shape balls. Scoop and roll mixture into 1½-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake. Bake for 22–25 minutes, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Rest briefly. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving so they hold together perfectly ✨
💡 Pro Tips
- Make ahead: Assemble the balls up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Extra crispy: Brush lightly with melted butter before baking.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Serving idea: Serve with warm gravy, cranberry sauce, or a honey mustard dip for parties 🦃