The savory richness of Thanksgiving dinner, wrapped into a juicy little meatball-that is what you get with the Turkey Stuffing Meatballs. Tender, gold meatballs unite the best of both worlds: the succulent taste of ground turkey mixed with herb-infused warmth, courtesy of classic stuffing. Whether you want comfort food on a whole new level for a holiday gathering, meal prep, or just a cozy family dinner, these mouth-watering bites are sure to hit the spot. Serve them with your favorite mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, or as is, and they will surely be the stars of any table!
Stuffing to Use for Ground Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
The type of stuffing is important to be able to come up with the best ever ground turkey stuffing meatballs. With numerous types of stuffing, what stuffing to use for this ultimate flavor and texture combination becomes the big question. Homemade or store-bought, just make sure it is a complement to the mildness of the ground turkey.
What to consider in choosing stuffing is:
- Seasoned stuffing mix: Most store-bought stuffing mixes are pre-seasoned to save you some time but still give a really great base flavor.
- Homemade: Without a doubt, absolutely nothing can outcompete the freshness of flavor with homemade but make sure it’s well-balanced and seasoned appropriately.
- Gluten-free: There are plenty for those with gluten intolerance issues that can achieve the wanted flavor and texture.
- Cornbread Stuffing: This is for adding the Southern flair to your dish. There’s just something about the sweetness of cornbread that goes really well with the savory flavors of the turkey.
- Sourdough Stuffing: Sourdough has that extra layer of tanginess that would go really quite well with herbs and the flavors of the turkey.
Now, before proceeding further, we will make the recipe for Turkey Stuffing Meatballs with homemade stuffing, so we first make the stuffing for Stuffed Turkey Meatballs.
Ground Turkey Stuffing Meatballs: Homemade Stuffing Recipe
To elevate your ground turkey stuffing meatballs, making a flavorful, homemade stuffing is key. This recipe blends herbs, spices, and hearty bread to create a delicious stuffing that complements the turkey perfectly.
Ingredients for Homemade Stuffing:
- 8 cups of bread cubes (day-old, cubed white or sourdough bread works best)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken or turkey broth (more if needed)
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional, for sweetness)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
How to Make the Stuffing for Ground Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
The way to step up your ground turkey stuffing meatballs is to make a more flavorful, homemade stuffing. This recipe brings together herbs and spices with substantial bread to make a delicious stuffing that not only goes well with but also complements the turkey to perfection.
- Prepare the bread cubes:
Spread the bread cubes out onto a baking sheet and toast them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until lightly golden and crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Reserve to cool.
- Sauté the vegetables:
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, celery, and garlic; cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the herbs:
Stir the sage, rosemary, and thyme into the onion mixture; cook until the herbs are fragrant, an additional minute.
- Mix with bread cubes:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the sautéed vegetables and herbs. Stir in the dried cranberries if using.
- Moisten the stuffing:
Add the chicken or turkey broth slowly, stirring continuously until the bread is moist but not soggy. Additional broth can be added if needed.
- Add eggs:
Lightly beaten eggs will be stirred in to help bind the stuffing together. Season with large amounts of salt and pepper.
- Cook the stuffing:
At this stage, if you’re using this for your turkey stuffing meatballs, your stuffing is now ready to be mixed in with your ground turkey. If you want, place the stuffing in a baking dish to use as a side; bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
Ingredients for turkey and stuffing meatballs
When it comes to making the ultimate turkey and stuffing meatballs, it is all about making use of the right ingredients. These meatballs balance out a nice flavor profile of savory flavors, tender textures, and seasonal spices that should make them memorable dishes. You will need to have the following ingredients to make your turkey stuffing meatballs:
- Ground turkey: This is the main character in your meatballs-a leaner alternative to ground beef with a lighter taste.
- Prepared stuffing mix: You want pre-seasoned stuffing mix here to add flavor. Eggs: This will help bind it all and hold its form. Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds subtle richness and depth to the flavor.
- Onions and garlic: For that aromatic base to give that depth to every bite.
- Cranberries optional: If you want that hint of sweetness balancing against the savory elements.
- Fresh herbs: Sage, rosemary, and thyme-classic stuffing herbs adding real holiday flavor to these meatballs.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Add some flavor to perfection.
- Olive oil: Browning the meatballs before baking.
Turkey Stuffing Meatballs Recipe
The process of preparing the most flavorful and tender turkey stuffing meatballs recipe combines juicy flavorings of turkey with the savory goodness of the stuffing. Whether for a holiday gathering or a weeknight dinner, this will surely be one of your favorites. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make stuffed turkey meatballs.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the stuffing.
If using package stuffing, prepare according to package instructions. If you make your own homemade stuffing, it should be wet enough to combine with the mixture of the turkey. It should be fragrant with herbs such as sage and thyme.
- Combine the meatball ingredients:
Add in the ground turkey, prepared stuffing, eggs, grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and chopped onions in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Throw in some freshly chopped herbs like sage, rosemary, or thyme for that festive flavor.
- Shape the meatballs:
Using your hands, shape the mixture of turkey and stuffing into evenly sized meatballs, being careful not to overwork the mixture into dense meatballs.
- Sear the meatballs:
In a large skillet, heat about a couple of tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs and sear them until browned on all sides in batches. This step not only seals in flavor but gives the meatballs a nice golden crust.
- Bake the meatballs:
Place the browned meatballs in a greased baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This helps cook them even and keeps them nice and moist.
- Serve and enjoy:
Once baked, garnish the stuffed turkey meatballs with freshly chopped herbs. Serve them with a number of options, from cranberry sauce to mashed potatoes to gravy, that you’d like for a satisfying meal.
Nutrition Table for Stuffed Turkey Meatballs
(Per serving, based on a recipe yielding 4 servings)
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value |
| Calories | 320 kcal | 16% |
| Total Fat | 14g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 100mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 600mg | 26% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 22g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugars | 4g | – |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Vitamin A | 400 IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 100mg | 10% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
