Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are a delicious and festive way to use leftover turkey and stuffing. These bite-sized treats combine tender turkey, flavorful stuffing, tangy cranberries, and savory seasonings, baked to golden perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish for holiday meals or anytime you want a comforting, easy-to-eat snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 stuffing balls
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover turkey, finely chopped
- 3 cups prepared day-old stuffing, loosely packed
- ½ cup dried cranberries or ½ cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ¼–½ cup low-sodium chicken or turkey stock, as needed
Optional Ingredients
- ¼ cup very finely diced onion (optional)
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- ¾–1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Neutral oil spray for the pan
Instructions
- Prepare the mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped leftover turkey, prepared stuffing, and dried cranberries or cranberry sauce. Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic if using, then stir in the beaten egg and chopped parsley to bind everything together. Season well with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add stock gradually: Pour in ¼ cup of low-sodium chicken or turkey stock initially, stirring gently to moisten the mixture. If the mixture feels too dry and crumbly to form balls, add additional stock a tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together well but is not too wet.
- Form the balls: Using your hands, shape the mixture into bite-sized balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, packing them firmly enough so they hold their shape.
- Preheat the pan: Lightly spray a non-stick or cast iron skillet with neutral oil and place it over medium heat to warm up.
- Cook the stuffing balls: Place the stuffing balls in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are browned and crisp on all sides. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, cooking in batches if necessary. The balls should be heated through and crispy on the outside.
- Serve warm: Once cooked, transfer the cranberry turkey stuffing balls to a serving dish and enjoy them warm as a flavorful appetizer or side dish alongside your favorite holiday meals.
Notes
- If using cranberry sauce instead of dried cranberries, reduce the added stock slightly as cranberry sauce adds moisture.
- Leftover stuffing should be loosely packed to avoid dense stuffing balls; if too dense, add more stock accordingly.
- You can bake these in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway, if you prefer not to cook on the stovetop.
- Adding minced garlic and onion enhances flavor but can be omitted for simpler taste or dietary preferences.
- Use low-sodium stock to control saltiness since stuffing and turkey can be salty already.
