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Roll up all the cozy flavors you love from the holidays into these craveable stuffing balls packed with cranberry and turkey. Grab your classic stuffing and shape it into shareable bites. The mix with ground turkey, dried cranberries, and holiday herbs makes for a mash-up that's seriously hard to stop eating. They work as appetizers or a fun side for any gathering.
Tasty Holiday Nibbles
People always want seconds of these fun cranberry-studded bites. They’re easy to prep ahead for busy days and still turn out awesome if you need to reheat them. Bring them to any get-together, set them out for guests, or just treat yourself. These things are a total crowd-pleaser.
Grab These Ingredients
- Main Stuff: Start with some ground turkey so these have lots of bite.
- Old-School Feel: Stuffing mix brings all those nostalgic flavors.
- Festive Kick: Dried cranberries toss in chewy sweetness.
- Moisture Maker: Splash in chicken broth for juicy results.
- Stick It Together: One beaten egg does the trick to bind it all.
- Herb Boost: Sprinkle on fresh thyme and sage for flavor you know and love.
- Simple Seasoning: Add salt and pepper—don’t skip ‘em.
- Golden Finish: Brushing melted butter on top makes them extra crisp.
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How To Throw Them Together
- Bake ‘Em Up
- Pop your portioned balls in a 375°F oven for around 25 minutes. They’re good to go when the centers hit 165°F and the outsides are crispy brown.
- Form Your Balls
- Scoop out even portions for each bite—using a cookie scoop keeps sizes the same and helps them cook evenly.
- Mix Stuffing First
- Pour the broth into your stuffing mix to get it nice and soft. This step gets you set for awesome turkey-cranberry bites.
Serving Ideas
Top your finished bites with extra gravy, or serve with lots of cranberry sauce for a fun kick. Set ‘em out as snacks or pile them onto your next big holiday plate. Layer everything on a snack board with some herbs and extra cranberries to make it look amazing.
Insider Tricks
Give everything a thorough mix so your bites are super tender everywhere. Switch it up—try tossing in chopped celery or pecans for crunch. You can make the whole mixture a night ahead so you're all set for the next day.
Leftover Tips
Toss extras into a container with a tight lid and stash them in the fridge up to three days. Freeze any you won’t eat soon for another night. Warm them up with a little broth so they don’t dry out. They’re still really tasty days later, perfect if you want meals ready to go.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
Totally! Shape the balls and pop them in the freezer before baking. Toss them straight in the oven straight from the freezer. Just give them a bit more time to bake through.
- → How do I know when they're done?
The outside should have a golden crust and the middle needs to hit 165°F so you know the turkey's cooked through.
- → Can I use leftover turkey?
You can! Just chop cooked turkey up really small so it mixes nicely. If it feels too dry, add a splash of broth or water to help everything stick together.
- → What's the best way to serve them?
Warm them up and dunk in some gravy or cranberry sauce. Great as a finger food or a simple side for any meal.
- → Can I use fresh cranberries?
I'd keep it to dried cranberries. Fresh ones get watery, but dried ones pack more flavor and keep the balls together.