Savory, festive, and perfectly bite-sized
These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are a holiday must-have — golden, tender, and bursting with flavor. Juicy ground turkey mixes with savory stuffing and sweet cranberries for the perfect balance of cozy and festive. They’re crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, and so versatile you can serve them as an appetizer, side dish, or even the star of your Thanksgiving or Christmas table.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 18 balls
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 4 cups prepared stuffing (your favorite recipe or boxed mix)
- ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Cooking spray or 1 tbsp 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.
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large spoon or cookie scoop
- Oven mitts
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, prepared stuffing, cranberries, cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined 🦃.
- Use a spoon or cookie scoop to form 1 ½-inch balls. Place them evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
- Spray lightly with cooking spray or brush with olive oil.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). ✨
- Serve warm with cranberry sauce, gravy, or even as finger food 😋.
💡 Pro Tips
- Make Ahead: Form stuffing balls up to a day in advance, refrigerate, then bake when ready.
- Freezer Friendly: Freeze raw stuffing balls on a tray, then store in a bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 5 minutes to the cook time.
- Cheese Variations: Parmesan, Gruyère, or pepper jack can replace mozzarella for a flavor twist.
- Serving Ideas: Perfect as a Thanksgiving appetizer, Christmas side dish, or paired with mashed potatoes for a full meal.
📊 Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ball | ~95 | 6g | 8g | 4g | 1g | 2g |
Conclusion
These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls combine everything you love about holiday flavors into one delicious bite. With their savory turkey base, pops of cranberry sweetness, and cozy stuffing texture, they’re guaranteed to become a family tradition at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond.
Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 4 cups prepared stuffing your favorite recipe or boxed mix
- ½ cup dried cranberries chopped
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, prepared stuffing, cranberries, cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
- Use a spoon or cookie scoop to form 1 ½-inch balls. Place them evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
- Spray lightly with cooking spray or brush with olive oil.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Serve warm with cranberry sauce, gravy, or even as finger food.