Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls: A Portable Holiday Delight

Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Introduction

Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are the ultimate answer to a portable, crowd-pleasing holiday classic. Each savory bite brings together tender turkey, herby stuffing, and bursts of sweet-tart cranberry—everything you love about a festive feast, neatly rolled into a hand-held appetizer or side. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or next-day leftovers, these stuffing balls are as easy to make as they are fun to eat.

Deliciously Unique Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

The magic of this recipe is its blend of traditional flavors in a convenient new form. Moist turkey, crispy-edged stuffing, and juicy cranberries get baked to golden perfection, turning everyday leftovers or fresh ingredients into irresistible finger food. Whether served as an appetizer or part of a main meal, these stuffing balls pack flavor and nostalgia into every bite, making them an instant favorite with guests and family alike.

Preparing the Perfect Stuffing Mix

Start with your favorite stuffing—homemade or store-bought—and toss in diced cooked turkey and dried cranberries. A touch of gravy or broth keeps the mixture moist and easy to roll. Chopped fresh herbs—like parsley, thyme, or sage—bump up the flavor. Let the mixture rest for a few minutes before forming balls, allowing the bread to fully absorb the moisture for a cohesive texture.

Assembling and Baking Your Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Once the mixture is ready, shape it into golf ball-sized rounds. If you like a crunchy exterior, roll each ball in seasoned breadcrumbs before baking. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until the outsides are golden and crispy. The result: bite-sized stuffing balls with a deliciously moist interior and just the right amount of tang from the cranberries.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls

Serve these stuffing balls alongside classic gravy, cranberry sauce for dipping, or a light drizzle of herbed aioli. They work beautifully as part of a holiday spread or tucked into a lunchbox. Pair with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced plate, or let them shine as a shareable centerpiece at your next gathering.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes approximately 18 to 20 stuffing balls, depending on size. Each ball is around 80–100 calories, depending on exact ingredient choices, making them a manageable indulgence for family meals and festive snacking alike.

Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls (Recap)

All the hearty flavors of Thanksgiving—tender turkey, savory stuffing, and bright cranberries—are reimagined in these satisfying, portable stuffing balls. Their festive taste and convenient presentation make them a standout at any occasion.

Ingredients

4 cups prepared stuffing (homemade or boxed, cooled)
2 cups cooked turkey, finely diced or shredded
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup turkey gravy or chicken broth
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (for coating, optional)
Cooking spray or oil (for baking)

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and streamlined meal planning.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray or oil.
  2. In a large bowl, combine stuffing, turkey, dried cranberries, eggs, gravy (or broth), parsley, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well incorporated—the mixture should hold together when pressed.
  3. If the mixture feels too dry, add a bit more gravy or broth; if too wet, mix in a handful of extra breadcrumbs or stuffing.
  4. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of mixture and roll into a ball. Repeat with the rest.
  5. If desired, roll each ball in seasoned breadcrumbs for extra crunch and place on the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Lightly spray the tops with a bit more cooking spray or brush with oil.
  7. Bake for 20–25 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and crisp on the outside. Let cool slightly before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

These stuffing balls are a meal prep dream—they reheat beautifully and can double as snacks, lunchbox add-ins, or savory sides for weeknight dinners. Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly fit it into your weekly meal plan and generate a comprehensive, organized shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all planned recipes
– Organizes your shopping list by grocery store sections for quick, efficient trips
– Prevents buying duplicates or forgetting key items
– Makes batch cooking and weekly meal prep smooth and stress-free

Pro tip: When planning multiple meals, schedule your recipes with CookifyAI to consolidate common ingredients—so if another recipe uses eggs or broth, your list reflects the combined total, cutting down on waste and supermarket trips.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Enjoy your flavorful, convenient, and festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls—your new go-to recipe for holiday feasts and beyond!

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