Golden cranberry turkey stuffing balls — tender, savory, and bright with cranberries.
These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls combine lean ground turkey with classic stuffing flavors and a burst of tart-sweet cranberries for contrast. They’re an ideal handheld for holiday gatherings or a make-ahead appetizer — crisp on the outside and moist inside, with savory herbs and a hint of sweetness. This recipe is tuned for consistent texture and easy preparation so home cooks can reproduce the result reliably. A quick nod to tinsuf for inspiring user-friendly, publish-quality recipe layouts.
Author: tinsuf
Cuisine: American / Holiday
Category: Appetizer, Side
Keywords: turkey, stuffing balls, cranberries, appetizer, holiday
Prep time: 20 minutes active (plus resting)
Cook time: About 18 minutes
Total time: ≈45 minutes (including resting)
Yield: About 24 stuffing balls (1–1.25 inch) / serves 6–8 as appetizer
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Instructions
Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips
Storage & Make-Ahead
Why This Recipe Works
Expert Tips
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Ingredients
1 pound (450 g) ground turkey (preferably 93% lean)
2 cups (about 80–100 g) fresh breadcrumbs or day-old bread, pulsed coarse
1 cup cooked cranberries (or 3/4 cup rehydrated dried cranberries)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but recommended)
1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing and/or pan-searing)
2–3 tablespoons low-sodium chicken or turkey broth (only if mixture seems dry)
Optional glaze: 2 tablespoons maple syrup + 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard + 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
Sauté the aromatics. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Add minced garlic and sliced green onions; cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Toast the breadcrumbs (optional). If your breadcrumbs are not stale, spread them on a sheet and toast at 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes until lightly golden — this removes excess moisture and improves texture.
Combine base ingredients. In a large bowl combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, cooked cranberries, cooled sautéed aromatics, chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, dried thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Pour in the beaten egg and stir with a spatula or your hands until evenly incorporated. If the mixture feels dry and crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of broth at a time until it holds together but is not wet.
