Turkey Cranberry Stuffing Meatballs Recipe
These Turkey Stuffing Meatballs combine lean ground turkey breast with savory vegetables, cornbread stuffing, and dried cranberries to create a flavorful, festive dish. Baked to golden perfection and served with cranberry sauce, these meatballs make a perfect appetizer or main course that celebrates comforting holiday flavors in a healthy, delicious way.
- Prep Time: 25 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 50 Minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20-24 meatballs
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey breast
- ½ lb mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup celery, finely chopped
- ½ cup coarsely ground cornmeal or dry cornbread stuffing
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Cranberry sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables: Finely chop the onion, celery, and mushrooms into approximately ¼ inch pieces. Aim for uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and texture.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey breast with the chopped mushrooms, onion, and celery. Add the cornmeal or cornbread stuffing and dried cranberries to the mix.
- Add seasonings and egg: Incorporate the lightly beaten egg along with poultry seasoning, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Gently mix all ingredients by hand until just combined to avoid overworking the meat, ensuring tender meatballs.
- Form meatballs: Lightly dampen your hands to prevent sticking, then shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 2 tablespoons each. Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space between each for even baking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes until they are cooked through, golden brown, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Serve: Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm with cranberry sauce for dipping to enhance the festive flavors.
Notes
- Make sure not to overwork the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- Uniform chopping of vegetables helps to achieve even cooking and better texture in meatballs.
- Use a food thermometer to ensure meatballs reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Cranberry sauce adds a sweet and tangy contrast that complements the savory meatballs.
- These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and reheated gently before serving.
