Why Turkey Stuffing Balls Are a Great Idea
After a big turkey dinner, you often have leftover turkey, stuffing, sometimes mashed potatoes, gravy, bits of vegetables. Rather than letting them languish, you can transform them into something new, tasty, and fun: turkey stuffing balls. These are like meatballs made with turkey + stuffing + binder ingredients, baked or fried until golden. They make great appetizers, snacks, or a side dish.
Advantages:
Reduces waste of leftovers
Easy to serve and fun to eat
Versatile — you can dip them in gravy, cranberry sauce, or a savory sauce
You can make them ahead and reheat
Perfect finger‑food for casual gatherings
Many home cooks share versions of stuffing balls using turkey + stuffing + egg + breadcrumbs. For example, MyHomemadeRecipe shows leftover turkey stuffing balls made with mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, Parmesan, eggs, breadcrumbs, etc.
My Homemade Recipe
Other versions combine stuffing mix, turkey, eggs, and binders, then bake.
completecomfortfoods.com
Below is a “master” recipe and many options so you can adapt to what you have.
Ingredients & Their Roles
Here’s a robust ingredients list (for ~24 stuffing balls) with explanation and notes. You can scale up or down.
Ingredient Amount Purpose / Notes
Leftover stuffing ~3 cups Main flavor base; provides seasoned bread and aromatics
Leftover turkey, shredded or chopped ~2 cups Protein and turkey flavor
Mashed potatoes (optional but helpful) ~1–2 cups Adds creaminess and binding if stuffing is dry
Eggs 2–3 large Binder to hold the mixture together
Breadcrumbs or panko ~½ to 1 cup Helps absorb moisture, gives exterior structure
Parmesan cheese (grated) ~½ cup Adds savory umami, flavor boost
Onion (finely diced) ½ cup Fresh aromatics, texture
Celery (finely diced) ½ cup Traditional stuffing flavor, texture
Garlic (minced) 1–2 cloves Flavor lift
Fresh or dried herbs (sage, thyme, parsley) 1 to 2 tsp total Seasoning that ties to Thanksgiving/roast turkey flavors
Salt & pepper To taste Adjust carefully, since stuffing and turkey may already be salted
Olive oil or melted butter (for baking or coating) 2 Tbsp or more Helps browning and crisping exterior
Optional add-ins / variations:
Dried cranberries or raisins for a sweet twist
Recipes by Clare
Cheese cubes inside (e.g. brie, cheddar) for a gooey center
wenthere8this.com
+1
Gravy or broth to moisten if mixture is too dry
Spices like smoked paprika, cayenne for heat
Coating with extra breadcrumbs or panko, or dredging in flour/egg + crumbs
Frying or air‑frying instead of baking
Equipment & Prep Work
You’ll want the following tools:
Large mixing bowl
Spoon or spatula
Baking sheet(s) lined with parchment or nonstick
Small bowl for egg wash (if doing coating)
Measuring cups & spoons
Knife & cutting board (for onions, turkey bits)
Prep steps:
Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C) (or whatever your baking temperature will be).
Chop turkey into small pieces (if not shredded).
Dice onion, celery, mince garlic.
If using mashed potatoes or gravy, have them ready.
Grate Parmesan, measure breadcrumbs, herbs, eggs.
Step‑by‑Step Instructions with Narrative & Tips
1. Mix the Base
In a large bowl:
Add the stuffing and turkey.
Add diced onion, celery, garlic.
Add mashed potatoes (if using), Parmesan, herbs.
Add one beaten egg first; mix; test consistency.
Sprinkle in breadcrumbs or panko gradually until mixture holds together well but isn’t overly dry.
Add second egg if needed.
Season with salt & pepper, tasting a small bit (tiny bit) to check.
Tip: If mixture seems too loose or wet, chill it for 15–20 min in fridge so it firms, then shape. If too dry, add a splash of broth, gravy, or extra mashed potato.
2. Shape into Balls
Use your hands (wet them if mixture sticks) to roll into balls. Aim for 1¼‑ to 1½‑inch balls (golf ball size) or smaller.
Place them spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
If desired, roll balls in extra breadcrumbs or panko for crispness.
3. Bake (or Fry / Air-Fry)
Baking method:
Brush or drizzle olive oil or melted butter over balls to help browning.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and warmed through.
Optionally switch to broil last 2‑3 min to crisp more on top (watch carefully).
Frying method:
Heat oil in skillet; gently fry balls until golden on all sides, turning carefully, then drain.
This gives extra crispness but is richer.
Air-fryer method:
Preheat air fryer (~370‑400 °F).
Place balls in single layer, cook ~10–15 minutes, turning mid‑way, until crisp.
4. Serve & Garnish
Serve hot.
Accompany with gravy, cranberry sauce, or dipping sauce.
Garnish with chopped parsley.
Timing & Workflow Example
Here’s a possible timeline:
Time Task
0–5 min Preheat oven, gather ingredients
5–10 min Chop turkey, onion, celery, garlic
10–15 min Mix base and adjust consistency
15–20 min Chill if needed; shape balls
20–45 min Bake or cook balls
45–50 min Rest, garnish, serve
Total active time ~30–40 minutes, depending on preparation and cooking method.
Tips, Troubleshooting & Best Practices
Binding issues: If balls fall apart, mixture is too wet or lacks binder. Add more breadcrumbs or another egg.
Dry mixture: Add broth, gravy, or a bit of mashed potato to moisten.
Overbrowning: Tent with foil if tops get too dark before fully cooked.
Crisp exterior: Rolling in breadcrumbs, coating, or brushing oil helps crisp.
Flavor boost: Add fresh herbs (parsley, sage) or spices.
Make ahead: You can form balls and refrigerate a few hours before baking.
Freezing: You can freeze unbaked stuffing balls in a single layer, then bake from frozen (add a few extra minutes).
Leftover reheating: Oven reheat at 350 °F until warmed. Microwave works too, but may soften exterior.
Variation caution: If stuffing is super dense or dry, you’ll need more binder (egg, mashed potato, gravy) to hold balls together.
Full “Master” Printable Recipe
Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls
Yields: ~24 balls
Prep & Bake Time: ~45 min
Ingredients
~3 cups leftover stuffing
~2 cups leftover turkey, shredded or chopped
1 cup mashed potatoes (optional)
2 large eggs, beaten (or 3 if needed)
½ to 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup diced onion
½ cup diced celery
1–2 cloves garlic, minced
1–2 tsp dried sage or thyme (or mixture)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Olive oil or melted butter (for brushing)
Extra breadcrumbs (for rolling coating)
Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Line baking sheet with parchment.
In a bowl, combine stuffing + turkey + onion + celery + garlic + Parmesan + herbs.
Add one beaten egg; mix. Add breadcrumbs/panko gradually, mixing to a workable consistency. If needed, add second egg or small amount of mashed potato / gravy / broth.
Shape mixture into ~1¼–1½‑inch balls. Place on baking sheet spaced apart.
If desired, roll balls lightly in extra breadcrumbs for crispness.
Brush or drizzle with olive oil / melted butter.
Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and heated through. Optionally broil 2–3 min to crisp top.
Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve warm with gravy, cranberry sauce, or favorite dip.
Variation Ideas & Inspiration
Cranberry & Herb: Add dried cranberries and extra sage (as in “Cranberry & Turkey Stuffing Balls”).
Recipes by Clare
Cheese Center: Put a small cube of brie or cheddar inside each ball (like a surprise center). Some “Panko Crusted Crispy Stuffing Balls” recipes do exactly that.
wenthere8this.com
Use Stuffing Mix: Use a boxed stuffing mix moistened with turkey drippings, then form balls (as in Complete Comfort Foods version).
completecomfortfoods.com
Combine with Mashed Potatoes: As in AllWeCook version, mix stuffing + mashed potatoes + turkey.
All We Cook
Deep-Fried Stuffing Balls: For extra crispiness, coat in flour/egg/panko and fry. (Buttery Your Biscuit shares deep-fried stuffing balls recipe)
Butter Your Biscuit
Air-Fry Version: Use air fryer for crisp exterior with less oil.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free stuffing or breadcrumbs, ensure no gluten in binder ingredients.
Vegetarian Twist: Omit turkey, use extra vegetables, beans, or mushrooms with stuffing to create “stuffing balls” sans meat.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
Serve with gravy (reheated leftover turkey or chicken gravy) as a sauce
Cranberry sauce or chutney works beautifully as a dip
Side salad or steamed vegetables to lighten
Use as party appetizers — toothpicks, small portions
Serve along with leftover mashed potatoes or roasted veggies
Final Thoughts & Reflection
These stuffing balls are an inspired way to breathe new life into leftover turkey and stuffing. The concept is flexible — depending on how moist or dry your stuffing is, whether you have mashed potatoes or gravy, whether you want crispy or soft, you can adjust binder and coatings.
What many cooks love is hearing people exclaim, “Wow, these are amazing — what are they made of?” They taste like Thanksgiving in bite form. If you try making them with cranberry, cheese center, or air-fryer crisping, let me know — I can help you tweak for your oven, pan, or dietary needs.
Would you like a metric (grams / ml) version of this stuffing balls recipe, or perhaps a mini version (bite-sized) or a freezer-friendly batch version? I can send you one next.
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