This post may contain affiliate links and we will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. Thank you for supporting us!
These turkey stuffing meatballs are your new holiday superstar! Juicy, flavorful turkey meets cozy, savory stuffing in one bite-sized, crowd-pleasing meatball.
This easy turkey stuffing meatballs recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time you’re craving comforting holiday flavors with a fun twist. They bake up golden, are packed with flavor, and are guaranteed to disappear fast. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, a main dish, or sneaking one as a snack (we won’t judge!), they’re a festive favorite that everyone will ask for again and again.
These baked turkey stuffing meatballs went viral for a reason… and I have to admit, they’re one of my favorite holiday recipes! I love making them for dinner because all the cozy flavors of Thanksgiving stuffing, turkey, and savory spices are rolled into one perfect meatball.
Top them with gravy, dip them in cranberry sauce, and you’ve got my kind of meal! Trust me, these meatballs will be on your holiday menu every year. Also, check out our turkey stuffing meatloaf recipe for another delicious and easy meal with the flavors of turkey and stuffing.
Table of Contents
- Why You Will Love Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
- What are Turkey Stuffing Meatballs?
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions & Variations
- What Stuffing to Use
- How To Make Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
- Expert Tips
- What to Serve with Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
- Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Recipes to Try Next!
- TURKEY STUFFING MEATBALLS Recipe
Why You Will Love Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
- Thanksgiving Flavors: These meatballs have the crave-worthy flavors of Thanksgiving.
- Turkey and Stuffing: You get the delicious flavors of turkey and stuffing all rolled into one.
- Quick & Easy: These meatballs are easy to make and come together quickly.
- Simple: You only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe.
- Versatile: Enjoy these meatballs during the holidays or anytime.
- Healthy: There is no butter or oil in this recipe!
“Really easy and very tasty. I sautéed the onion and celery…My husband has requested these for Thanksgiving!! We usually have a rotisserie chicken but he loved these meatballs so I will be making for the holiday.”
– mary
What are Turkey Stuffing Meatballs?
Turkey stuffing meatballs are also known as Thanksgiving meatballs. We have combined the Thanksgiving flavors of turkey and stuffing into one mouthwatering meatball! These meatballs are easy to prepare and are much easier than making an entire turkey or batch of stuffing. With this recipe, you get the same Thanksgiving flavors in a far more effortless way.
Ingredients Needed
- Dried Stuffing Mix: Use your favorite dried seasoned boxed stuffing mix.
- Chicken Broth: Heat the chicken broth and pour it over the dried stuffing mix. The chicken broth softens the dried stuffing mix and adds flavor.
- Ground Turkey: Use 99% fat-free ground turkey breast.
- Eggs: Whisk two eggs. The eggs help make these meatballs moist and act as a binder.
- Celery: Add chopped celery for flavor.
- Onion: Use diced white or sweet onion.
Substitutions & Variations
- Add Cranberries: For a burst of cranberry flavor in the meatballs, add three tablespoons of roughly chopped dried cranberries.
- Add Apple: For a sweet and savory meatball, add one diced medium-sized apple. Macintosh, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples are great options.
- Chicken Broth Substitution: If you have chicken broth, I recommend using it in this recipe because it adds flavor to the meatballs. If you don’t have chicken broth, you can use vegetable broth. In a pinch, you can use water.
- Ground Turkey To Use: We used 99% fat-free ground turkey breast in this recipe. You could substitute it for 93% lean ground turkey, or ground chicken.
- Make These Meatballs Gluten-Free: To make these meatballs gluten-free, use a gluten-free boxed stuffing mix.
- Make Mini Meatballs: You can also serve these turkey stuffing meatballs as an appetizer by making them bite-sized. Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to form the mini meatballs, then bake at 400°F for 15-17 minutes, or until fully cooked.
What Stuffing to Use
Use 4 cups of your favorite dried seasoned boxed stuffing mix for this recipe. We used a classic herb seasoned boxed stuffing mix. A cornbread stuffing mix or a gluten-free stuffing mix are other great options.
How To Make Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
Step 1: Add the dried seasoned boxed stuffing mix to a large heat-safe bowl.
Step 2: Heat the chicken broth in a saucepan on the stove until it is hot, but not boiling.
Then, pour the chicken broth over the bowl with the stuffing mix. Thoroughly mix to soften the stuffing mix and let it absorb the liquid.
Step 3: Add the ground turkey breast, whisked eggs, chopped celery, and diced onion to a separate large bowl.
After that, add the stuffing mixture to the bowl. From there, thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
Step 4: Use a large cookie scoop to form 16-18 meatballs and use your hands to roll them into balls. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 5: Bake the meatballs in the oven at 400°F for 20-22 minutes, or until they are fully cooked.
Step 6: Top the meatballs with gravy and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Sauté The Ingredients: For added flavor, you can sauté the onions and celery in a skillet over medium heat with a teaspoon of butter.
- Heat The Chicken Broth: Pour the chicken broth into a saucepan and heat it over medium-low heat on the stove until it is hot. Then, pour it over the dried stuffing mix.
- Evenly Chop: Finely and evenly chop the celery and onion. It helps ensure that the celery and onion are distributed throughout the meatballs.
- Use A Large Scoop: We made large meatballs that were about 2 inches in size. To ensure all the meatballs are the same size, use a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop.
- Don’t Overcook Meatballs: You don’t want to overcook the meatballs or they will dry out. Make sure the meatballs are fully cooked, but not overcooked. They are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
What to Serve with Turkey Stuffing Meatballs
These turkey stuffing meatballs capture the flavors of Thanksgiving. They are the perfect addition to any holiday feast. Also, they make for a comforting weeknight meal. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them and what to serve them with:
- Gravy: Once cooked, top these turkey stuffing meatballs with homemade gravy and fresh herbs such as chopped parsley.
- Cranberry Sauce: Dip these turkey stuffing meatballs in cranberry sauce for the ultimate combination of Thanksgiving flavors!
- Mashed Potatoes: Serve these meatballs with creamy mashed potatoes or our effortless slow cooker mashed potatoes.
- Green Beans: Enjoy these meatballs with a side of crispy air fryer green beans.
For more ideas, see our collection of 20+ healthy Thanksgiving desserts and 30+ healthy Thanksgiving sides!
Storage Instructions
To Store: Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Or, let these meatballs cool and freeze them in a freezer-safe container for 1-2 months.
To Reheat: Reheat these meatballs in the microwave. Or, reheat them in a saucepan on the stove with gravy until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Stuffing Mix in Meatballs?
Yes, you can use stuffing mix in meatballs. It makes for delicious turkey and stuffing meatballs with Thanksgiving flavors. Soften the stuffing mix with warm chicken broth before adding it to the meatball mixture.
How Long Do Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs Last?
These meatballs are best enjoyed within four days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Can You Freeze Turkey Stuffing Meatloaf?
Yes, you can freeze these meatballs. Let them cool completely and transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze them for 1-2 months.
More Recipes to Try Next!
- Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs
- Italian Turkey Meatloaf
- Homemade Pumpkin Pie
- Easy Turkey Burgers
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
- Cheesy Smashed Potatoes
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
TURKEY STUFFING MEATBALLS
Ingredients
- 4 cups dried seasoned boxed stuffing mix
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound ground turkey breast
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup diced white onion or sweet onion
Instructions
- Add the dried seasoned boxed stuffing mix to a large heat-safe bowl.
- Heat the chicken broth in a saucepan over medium-low heat on the stove until it is hot, but not boiling. Then, pour the hot chicken broth over the bowl with the stuffing mix. Thoroughly mix to soften the stuffing mix and let it sit to absorb the liquid.
- Add the ground turkey breast, whisked eggs, chopped celery, and diced onion to a separate large bowl. Once the chicken broth has been absorbed by the stuffing mix, add the mixed stuffing mixture to the bowl with the ground turkey. Thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
- Use a large cookie scoop to form 16-18 meatballs, each about 2 inches in size. Use your hands to roll them into balls. Place the meatballs on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs at 400°F for 20-22 minutes, or until they are fully cooked, when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Top the meatballs with gravy and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or, freeze them for 1-2 months.
- Serving: This recipe makes about 16-18 meatballs. The WW points and calories are based on 16 meatballs.
- Stuffing to Use: Use your favorite boxed stuffing for this recipe. A cornbread stuffing mix or a gluten-free stuffing mix are great options. We used a boxed dried stuffing mix from Trader Joe’s. Use the dried breadcrumbs from your stuffing mix and some of the packaged stuffing seasoning that comes in the box.
- Add Cranberries: For a burst of cranberry flavor in the meatballs, add three tablespoons of dried cranberries to this recipe.
- Ground Turkey: We used 99% fat-free ground turkey breast in this recipe. You could substitute it for 93% fat-free ground turkey or ground chicken breast.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free boxed stuffing mix.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do you have a low point gravy recipe?
Yes, we have one that is coming out Monday! It is super delicious! Thank you so much for asking, if you need the recipe before then just email me and I will be more than happy to send it to you!
Is it 4 cups of boxed stuffing ? Because one box is 2 cups but you don’t reference using 2 boxes. I haven’t made it yet but seems east for make ahead.
Hello, the box of stuffing we used is much larger with about 6-8 cups total, and we used 4 cups of the dried mix, but not to worry. If the total boxed stuffing you have only has two cups dried stuffing mix you can use two full boxes for a total of 4 cups. Or, you can use the one box and half the amount of ground turkey, chicken broth, onion, and celery. Still use a full egg.
These are delicious and so easy!!
We are so glad you enjoyed the meatballs! Thank you so much for letting us know! Now you can have an effortless Thanksgiving anytime – just make sure to keep some stuffing mix on hand!
Love this recipe . Has anyone tried this as a potluck in a crock pot with the gravy? Wondering how they would hold up?
Hello Patti, thank you so much for the wonderful review, we are so happy you are enjoying the recipe! We have not tried making them in the Crockpot. But, I’m sure you could cook them first so they hold their shape and then put them in the Crockpot with some gravy to keep them warm. We have a Crockpot chicken and gravy recipe coming soon that you may enjoy!
Really easy and very tasty. I sautéed the onion and celery as suggested in hints.
My husband has requested these for Thanksgiving!! We usually have a rotisserie chicken but he loved these meatballs so I will be making for the holiday. Thanks for making my life easier and for helping me with my WW journey 💕
Hi Mary, I’m so glad the meatballs turned out so well and that your husband loved them! It’s amazing that they’re going to be part of your Thanksgiving celebration! I’m happy to be a small part of your WW journey and to help make things a bit easier. Wishing you a beautiful holiday filled with delicious food and great memories!
We love these . Never had them on Thanksgiving. Perfect for all year .
Thanks for all of your efforts . You do a great job explaining your recipes. Lots of great tips and variations .
Hi Robin, I’m so happy to hear you love the turkey stuffing meatballs! They’re definitely perfect for any time of the year, not just Thanksgiving. 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it! I’m glad the tips and variations are helpful, and I’m so grateful for your support!