I hope you enjoy these Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls! This dish has a little touch of everything that makes Thanksgiving so great, all in one bite! These delicious Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls are also the perfect meal for any occasion!
Are these Thanksgiving Balls or Turkey Meatballs?
Whether you call these bad boys Thanksgiving Balls or Turkey Meatballs is all up to you. To make these turkey balls we use leftovers from Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Including the mashed potatoes! Whatever you decide to call these, the point is these Turkey balls are insanely delicious!
You won’t have to wait until the next Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter to enjoy them again. Believe me! Throughout the year, you’ll definitely find yourself grabbing a turkey breast just to throw these together!
Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls
These Turkey Balls, are awesome if you do Friendsgiving or any sort of Thanksgiving potluck. I am sure these would always be a hit!
For this recipe, I make homemade gravy that is a killer using fresh herbs like sage, tarragon, thyme, and Rosemary. But you are welcome to use store-bought gravy.
No egg or eggs are used to bind the Turkey balls.
To make these Turkey balls, simply mix equal parts of mashed potatoes and stuffing, adding a bit of shredded turkey as desired. To taste, season with black pepper or not as this is already seasoned.
What you need to make leftover turkey stuffing balls:
Leftover turkey: Dress up your leftover turkey into delicious balls and use them to make the best turkey meatballs.
Stuffing: A mixture of herbs and starch. Use for foods like poultry, seafood, and vegetables.
Mashed potatoes: This recipe is a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes.
Panko: Traditional Japanese breadcrumbs used as a covering for fried meals. Produced by briefly baking coarse breadcrumbs to enhance their crunch.
Gravy: Use store-bought or make your own.
Butter/oil (or you can bake): For searing the turkey balls.
To make this recipe gluten-free (you should use these ingredients instead):
- Substitute stuffing with your favorite gluten-free bread or make your own homemade stuffing.
- Check for gluten-free gravy. When buying, always make sure to check the label for any gluten ingredients. Or simply make your own gravy.
- Some gluten-free substitutes for Panko are dry bread crumbs, crushed pretzels, or matzo meal.
This is a super simple recipe using leftover mashed potatoes and turkey. This is a delicious dish that you’ll surely be making over and over again!
Steps To Make Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls
Step 1: Mix equal parts of mashed potatoes and stuffing.
Step 2: Next, add the shredded turkey meat.
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And mix well with your hand:
Step 3: Shape the mixture into balls like you are making meatballs.
small bites:
Step 4: Place them in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the exterior is slightly firm up and lightly & fully on the inside.
Step 5: Serve smothered in gravy. If you would like, you can add a dollop of cranberry.
For extra goodness, roll the turkey balls in seasoned panko, coating all sides, and slightly fry them in a little butter/olive oil just until warmed through. I like this a lot as the brown bits make these turkey balls so much better!
There are so many recipes to make use of leftover mashed potatoes and stuffing. But this Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls recipe is my favorite for all good reasons! You should give this a try very soon. I am sure that you’ll love and gobble these up, too!
Tips to make fool-proof Turkey Balls
- To make the balls easier to shape, let the ingredients come to room temperature.
- Or you can slightly heat the mashed potatoes, adding a little butter if needed.
- You can also slightly heat the stuffing in the microwave, adding a little broth or water if needed to remoisten.
- It makes a whole lot of difference in crusting the leftover turkey balls in panko and lightly frying them.
Storage Options:
So, here’s the deal with storing these little Thanksgiving-in-a-bite balls: They’re just as good the next day… if you can keep yourself from eating them all on day one. I’ve definitely snuck a few straight from the fridge, cold, because I couldn’t even wait to reheat them. But if you want to go the proper route:
- Refrigerator: Pop them in an airtight container, and they should stay fresh for 3-4 days. I’ll admit, I’ve found them on day five and they were still pretty good. Reheating in the oven is key, though—put them in at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes. Microwaving just makes them… sad and a bit mushy.
- Freezer: If you’re somehow one of those super prepared types who plan meals way in advance, you can freeze these. I always freeze them on a baking sheet first (prevents that giant turkey ball clump, which, trust me, you don’t want) and then transfer to a zip-top bag. They last about two months, though I usually end up eating them sooner. To reheat, no need to thaw—just bake from frozen at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes.
Variations and Substitutions:
Now, maybe you’re the kind of person who looks at a recipe and thinks, “But what if I try it my way?” Same here. So, here are a few tweaks I’ve tried (or that I dream up every time I make these and don’t have exactly the right ingredients on hand).
- Stuffing: Out of stuffing? Been there. You can get creative with leftover bread—tear it into pieces, toast it up, and toss with some sage, thyme, or whatever herbs give you that cozy, Thanksgiving vibe. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; otherwise, it’s just soggy bread.
- Panko: I love panko for that ultra-crunchy coating, but hey, we’re not all stocked with Japanese breadcrumbs 24/7. Crushed cornflakes, pretzels, or even potato chips? Yep, they work. (And they taste amazing. Just don’t tell my mom I’m crushing up chips for this.)
- Gravy: I’m a “gravy with everything” kind of person, but if you want to switch it up, a mushroom sauce is a fun twist. Or, and this might sound a bit offbeat, a dab of spicy mustard can add a kick if you’re in the mood to experiment.
- Add-ins: Shredded cheese, especially something sharp like cheddar, takes these to a whole new level. I threw in some leftover cranberry sauce once, half out of laziness, half out of curiosity, and it gave this sweet pop against the savory. It’s the kind of addition that would have my grandma raising an eyebrow, but you know, it worked.
- Vegetarian Option: For anyone who doesn’t eat meat (or just ran out of turkey), sautéed mushrooms, roasted veggies, or even quinoa can hold things together pretty well. They’re definitely not turkey, but you’ll still get that Thanksgiving-ish flavor.
- Cranberry: Oh, cranberry sauce. The unsung hero of leftovers. Whether it’s homemade or that good ol’ jellied stuff from a can, a little dollop on top of each ball makes these feel almost fancy. Or like you spent way more time on them than you did.
I say, give yourself the freedom to mess around with these! That’s the beauty of leftover recipes, right? They’re not about perfection; they’re about salvaging what’s left and seeing where your taste buds take you. Who knows, you might discover your own twist that becomes the new “family favorite” (or at least your favorite).
Frequently asked questions
Is leftover stuffing safe?
Stuffing or dressing would stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days after cooking if stored properly in the fridge. Alternatively, you can store it in the freezer for up to a month.
How to make leftover stuffing better?
To an oven-safe dish, transfer the stuffing. Feel free to add a splash of broth if the stuffing seems dry. Pop in a preheated 350 degrees F oven and reheat for 20 minutes, covered with foil. Then, uncover and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until crisp.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Delicious Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls - Perfect for Any Occasion!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ c. shredded turkey
- 3 c. mashed potatoes
- 3 c. stuffing
Gravy:
- Panko
- Optional: Black pepper
Instructions
- Set the oven to 375 degrees. Using cooking spray, lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Meanwhile, reheat the potatoes and stuffing. This will make them easier to handle.
- Throw the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey into a big bowl. If desired, season with black pepper. Mix well.
- Shape the mixture into balls, firmly pressing each ball down to make a snowball.
- Onto the prepared baking sheet, line the balls. Bake the turkey balls for about 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Place the Turkey balls on serving plates and smother them in hot gravy.
Notes
Nutrition
More Appetizer Recipes
Alright, here’s a little list of appetizers that might just steal the spotlight at your next gathering. I stumbled onto some of these while looking for something new—because, let’s be honest, the usual spread gets old fast. Each one has its quirks, kind of like that one relative who brings something different every year. Anyway, here’s my two cents on each.
- Cheesy Kilted Sausage Bites: Ah, these are the show-offs of the party. Bacon-wrapped and cheesy? Yes, please. I remember trying these at a friend’s cookout, and they disappeared before half the people even got there. Definitely one of those “don’t knock it till you try it” moments. There’s just something comforting—and slightly outrageous—about wrapping things in bacon, right?
- Crispy Fried Cauliflower: Look, I get it—cauliflower isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you think of a crowd-pleaser. But these? They’re golden, crispy little bites that somehow make you forget it’s a vegetable. My cousin, the self-proclaimed veggie hater, was even munching on these at Thanksgiving. Small victories, right?
- Quick and Easy Cranberry Meatballs: This one’s got a sweet-tart twist that takes you by surprise. It’s one of those flavors you’re not quite sure about until it hits. Cranberry and meatballs sounds weird at first, but I swear it just works. Reminds me of those holiday potlucks where you get all sorts of “creative” dishes. Some are misses, but these meatballs? Total win.
- Cheesy Rotel Sausage Balls: I’m not saying these are addictive, but… well, okay, they are. Cheesy, with just a hint of spice, they feel like something you’d find on a Southern grandma’s table. I’ve had people practically wrestle over the last one, and I can’t say I blame them. If you’re a fan of all things cheese, these will be your go-to.
- Sweet and Spicy Firecracker Chicken Meatballs: Got a thing for spice? These bring the heat, but with just enough sweetness to keep it interesting. They’ve got this sort of “slow burn” that sneaks up on you. I once saw my brother take a bite, laugh it off, then start sweating a minute later. Good times. Perfect if you want to liven things up a bit.
So yeah, if you’re looking to change things up, give one (or all) of these a go. They’re pretty easy to throw together, and if you’re lucky, you’ll have leftovers—though honestly, don’t count on it!
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I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
One Response
Wow looks good 👍