Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls – Delicious Holiday Side Recipe

Introduction

These Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls are a delightful twist on the classic holiday side dish. Packed with flavorful herbs, cranberries, and a buttery finish, they’re perfect for adding a festive touch to your meal. Easy to make and sure to please guests, they bring a comforting blend of textures and tastes to the table.

Ingredients

• 2 cups bread crumbs
• ½ cup cooked cranberries, fresh or dried
• ¼ cup sage, fresh or dried
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup vegetable broth
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, cranberries, sage, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Mix well.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth and melted butter.
4. Step 4: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir until everything is well combined and moist.
5. Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Using clean hands, form the mixture into 1 to 1.5 inch balls.
6. Step 6: Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
7. Step 7: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turning the balls halfway through baking, until they are golden brown.
8. Step 8: Let the stuffing balls cool slightly for about 5 minutes before serving warm.

Tips & Variations

• For added richness, try mixing in some cooked sausage or diced mushrooms before forming the balls.
• Use cornbread crumbs instead of regular bread crumbs for a Southern twist.
• Fresh sage adds more vibrant flavor, but dried works well if that’s what you have on hand.
• To keep the balls crispier, don’t overcrowd the baking sheet while baking.

Storage

Store leftover stuffing balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350 °F (175 °C) for about 10 minutes to maintain their crispiness. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these stuffing balls ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the balls and refrigerate them before baking. Bake just before serving to ensure they stay fresh and crispy.

Are these stuffing balls vegetarian?

Yes, this recipe is vegetarian when made with vegetable broth and without any meat additions. You can add sausage or other meats if you prefer a non-vegetarian version.

Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls – Delicious Holiday Side Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 106 reviews

These Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls are a delicious and festive side dish perfect for holiday celebrations. Made with classic bread crumbs, fresh or dried cranberries, fragrant sage, onions, and garlic, these moist and flavorful balls are baked to golden perfection. Easy to prepare and sure to please, they add a delightful twist to traditional stuffing.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 12–16 stuffing balls 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups bread crumbs
• ½ cup cooked cranberries (fresh or dried)
• ¼ cup sage (fresh or dried)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup vegetable broth
• ¼ cup butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, cooked cranberries, sage, finely chopped onion, and minced garlic. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth and melted butter until fully blended.
4. Mix Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is moist and well combined, ensuring even texture.
5. Season and Form Balls: Add salt and pepper to taste, then with clean hands, form the mixture into 1 to 1.5 inch balls, making sure they hold together.
6. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the stuffing balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for proper cooking and browning.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, turning the balls halfway through the baking time for even golden browning on all sides.
8. Cool and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the stuffing balls cool slightly for about 5 minutes before serving warm.

Notes

• Use fresh or dried cranberries based on availability and preference; dried cranberries add a chewier texture and sweeter flavor.
• Fresh sage provides a more aromatic flavor, but dried sage works well too if fresh is unavailable.
• For a richer taste, you can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth if not keeping vegetarian.
• Ensure the balls are compact enough to hold together, but avoid overmixing which can make them dense.
• These stuffing balls can be made ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
• To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free bread crumbs.

Keywords: Thanksgiving, stuffing balls, holiday side dish, baked stuffing, cranberry stuffing, sage, autumn recipes, vegetarian side