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Crispy Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe – Easy Thanksgiving Side with Golden Gravy

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These crispy turkey stuffing balls are a fun, crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side made from leftover turkey and stuffing, baked until golden and served with a velvety gravy. They’re easy to make, customizable, and perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked turkey, finely chopped (white or dark meat, leftovers work perfectly)
  • 3 cups stuffing, crumbled (classic sage and onion or any variety)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup turkey broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (for rolling)
  • Cooking spray or olive oil (for crisping in the oven)
  • For the Golden Gravy:
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups turkey or chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it. If you have a wire rack, set it on top of the baking sheet for extra crispiness.
  2. In a large bowl, combine chopped turkey, crumbled stuffing, eggs, turkey broth, Parmesan, melted butter, parsley, thyme, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper. Mix until just combined.
  3. Chill the mixture for 10 minutes to help the balls hold their shape.
  4. Use a cookie scoop or your hands to roll the mixture into golf-ball-sized rounds (about 1.5 inches wide). You should get 16-18 balls. Wet hands lightly if mixture is sticky.
  5. Pour panko breadcrumbs into a shallow dish. Roll each ball gently until coated.
  6. Arrange balls on the baking sheet, spaced apart. Spray lightly with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until deep golden brown and firm. Add 2-3 minutes if needed for extra color.
  8. While balls bake, make the golden gravy: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbly. Gradually add broth, whisking constantly. Add onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until thickened. Season to taste. Stir in cream if desired.
  9. Serve stuffing balls hot with golden gravy for dipping or drizzling. Garnish with extra parsley.

Notes

Chilling the mixture before rolling helps the balls hold their shape and get extra crispy. Use panko breadcrumbs for the best crunch. For gluten-free, use gluten-free stuffing and almond flour for rolling. The gravy can be made ahead and reheated. Add cranberries or roasted veggies for a seasonal twist.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving, turkey, stuffing, side dish, crispy, gravy, leftovers, holiday, easy, crowd-pleaser

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