Description
Festive holiday gatherings sparkle with these irresistible cranberry & turkey stuffing balls, packed with savory flavors and festive charm. Crispy exterior and tender interior invite guests to savor a perfect bite of comfort and celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground turkey
Bread and Dry Ingredients:
- 4 cups dried bread cubes
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (plus extra if needed)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, beaten
Seasoning:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 375F (190C), ensuring an even heating environment for the stuffing balls.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine dried bread cubes, cranberries, chopped celery, and diced onion, creating a foundational mixture.
- Whisk chicken broth, melted butter, beaten egg, ground turkey, sage, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a separate container to create a cohesive liquid base.
- Delicately fold the wet ingredients into the bread mixture, maintaining bread cube integrity and avoiding excessive crumbling to preserve a light, airy texture.
- Adjust mixture consistency by adding chicken broth incrementally if the blend appears too dry, ensuring proper moisture distribution.
- Utilize a cookie scoop or clean hands to form uniform 1 to 1 1/8-inch portions, rolling them into compact spheres.
- Arrange stuffing balls evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing sufficient space between each ball for consistent heat circulation.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the exterior turns golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 160F (74C), verifying doneness with a meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving warm as a versatile appetizer, snack, or complementary side dish.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for an additional layer of visual appeal and herbaceous flavor.
Notes
- Keep bread cubes slightly larger to maintain a light, fluffy texture in the stuffing balls.
- Consider using gluten-free bread for a celiac-friendly version of this recipe.
- Swap ground turkey with plant-based ground meat alternative for a vegetarian adaptation.
- Try different dried fruits like chopped apricots or raisins to vary the flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg