Dinner

Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe

Name: Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground turkey; 4 cups dried bread cubes (store-bought or homemade); 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup finely chopped celery; 1/2 cup finely chopped onion; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 large egg, beaten; 1 teaspoon dried sage; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

ByMariam Harutyunyan November 19, 2025November 19, 2025

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Introduction

These Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are a delightful twist on traditional stuffing, combining savory turkey and herbs with sweet dried cranberries. Perfect as a side or appetizer, they’re easy to make and bring holiday cheer to your table.

The image shows several round, bite-sized savory balls placed closely on a clean white plate with slightly raised edges. Each ball has a textured surface with a mix of light golden brown and toasted spots, highlighting their crispy outer layer. Small pieces of bright red dried cranberries are visible inside and on top, along with small green bits that look like chopped herbs and celery. The balls have a rough, irregular surface with bits of white and light brown bread or stuffing visible. In the background, more of these balls fill the plate, and some green leafy garnish adds a fresh contrast. The plate rests on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
4 cups dried bread cubes (store-bought or homemade)

1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup finely chopped celery

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon dried sage

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, dried cranberries, celery, and onion.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together the ground turkey, chicken broth, melted butter, beaten egg, sage, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well blended.

Step 3: Add the turkey mixture to the bread cube mixture and stir until well combined. The mixture should be slightly moist; if it feels too dry, add a little more chicken broth.
Step 4: Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 5: Bake the stuffing balls for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown on the outside.

Step 6: Serve warm as a flavorful side dish or appetizer.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a handful of chopped fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to the mixture before baking.
If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the ground turkey with finely chopped mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

To make ahead, prepare the balls and freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Storage

Store leftover stuffing balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to regain their crispiness, or microwave until heated through for a quicker option.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of several round, golden-brown balls placed on a white plate sitting on a white marbled surface. Each ball has a rough texture with visible chunks of orange bits, green herbs, and deep red dried cranberries scattered evenly throughout. The balls are clustered tightly together with some fresh green herbs as garnish in the background. The lighting highlights the crispy outer layer and the colorful ingredients inside, making the dish look warm and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh bread instead of dried bread cubes?

It’s best to use dried bread cubes as they absorb the liquids properly without becoming soggy. If using fresh bread, toast it in the oven until dry and crisp before using.