Healthy Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs

You know those Thanksgiving leftovers that sit in the fridge, waiting to be reheated and eaten the same way for days? I used to get tired of the same old turkey sandwich routine. One year, I decided to get creative with my leftover turkey and stuffing, and these meatballs were born. They’re basically Thanksgiving dinner rolled into perfect little bites, and my family actually gets excited about leftovers now.

I started making these meatballs a few years ago, and they’ve become our post-holiday tradition. Sometimes I even make them when it’s not Thanksgiving because they’re just that good. The best part? You can freeze them and pull them out whenever you’re craving those cozy holiday flavors without having to cook an entire turkey dinner.

Think classic turkey and stuffing flavors, but in a totally different way. Whether you serve them with gravy, cranberry sauce, or both (that’s how we do it at my house), these meatballs might just become your new favorite way to enjoy turkey.

What Kind of Ground Turkey Should I Use?

For these meatballs, you can use either ground turkey breast or regular ground turkey, which contains both dark and white meat. Ground turkey breast is the leanest option but can sometimes result in drier meatballs, while regular ground turkey (typically 93% lean) offers a bit more fat content that helps keep your meatballs moist and flavorful. If you’re buying packaged ground turkey, check the label – you’ll usually find options ranging from 85% to 99% lean. For this recipe, I recommend going with the 93% lean variety as it gives you the best balance of flavor and moisture while still keeping things relatively healthy. Just make sure your ground turkey is fresh and hasn’t been frozen and thawed multiple times, as this can affect the texture of your meatballs.

Options for Substitutions

Need to make some swaps? Here’s what works well in this recipe:

• Dried stuffing mix: If you’re out of stuffing mix, you can use plain breadcrumbs mixed with poultry seasoning. Use about 1 teaspoon of seasoning per cup of breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs work too, but you might need to add extra seasoning.
• Ground turkey: Ground chicken makes a great substitute here. You could also use a mix of ground turkey and chicken, or even ground pork if you don’t need it to be poultry-based.
• Chicken broth: Vegetable broth works just fine, or you can use bouillon cubes dissolved in hot water. For each cup of broth, use one cube mixed with a cup of hot water.
• Celery: Not a celery fan? Try finely chopped carrots or water chestnuts for that nice crunch. You can also just leave it out if you prefer.
• Eggs: For each egg, you can substitute 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise to help bind the meatballs.
• Gravy: Store-bought gravy is convenient, but you can easily make your own using broth and flour, or use cream of mushroom soup thinned with a bit of broth for a different twist.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making turkey and stuffing meatballs is ending up with dry, dense results – since ground turkey is lean, it needs careful attention to maintain moisture. To prevent this, avoid overworking the meat mixture when combining ingredients, as too much handling can make your meatballs tough and rubbery. Another common mistake is cooking the meatballs at too high a temperature – instead, maintain a medium heat and cook them gently until they reach 165°F internal temperature, checking with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. For the best texture, make sure your stuffing mixture is properly hydrated with warm (not hot) broth before combining it with the turkey, and let it cool slightly so it doesn’t start cooking the eggs when mixed together. A helpful tip is to keep your hands slightly wet while forming the meatballs to prevent sticking and ensure uniform size for even cooking.

What to Serve With Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs?

These meatballs are like Thanksgiving in bite-sized form, so they pair perfectly with other holiday-inspired sides! I love serving them over a bed of mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles to soak up all that tasty gravy. For some green veggies on the side, roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans work great with these flavors, and you can never go wrong with some cranberry sauce for dipping. If you’re keeping things casual, these meatballs also taste amazing on slider buns with a bit of gravy drizzled on top for an easy weeknight dinner.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These turkey and stuffing meatballs stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to store them right in the gravy to keep them moist and flavorful – they actually taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to blend!

Freeze: Want to make a big batch? These meatballs freeze really well! Place them in a freezer-safe container, cover with gravy, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. It’s like having a mini Thanksgiving dinner ready to go whenever you want it.

Reheat: To warm them up, just pop them in the microwave with the gravy, or heat them gently on the stovetop until they’re heated through. If they seem a bit dry, you can always add a splash of chicken broth or extra gravy to bring back the moisture.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	25-30 minutes
Total Time	40-50 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 50-60 g
• Fat: 30-40 g
• Carbohydrates: 80-90 g

Ingredients

• Dried stuffing mix
• Stuffing seasoning
• Hot chicken broth
• Ground turkey
• Chopped celery
• Onion
• 2 eggs
• Gravy

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Stuffing Mix

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).

This will ensure it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake.

In a bowl, combine the dried stuffing mix with stuffing seasoning.

Pour hot chicken broth over this mixture and stir thoroughly until well-mixed.

Set aside to allow the flavors to meld and the stuffing to soften slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the Turkey Mixture

In a separate large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, chopped celery, chopped onion, and two whisked eggs.

Make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the turkey for a consistent flavor and texture.

Step 3: Combine Mixtures

Add the prepared stuffing mixture to the bowl with the turkey mixture.

Thoroughly combine both mixtures until they are fully integrated.

The stuffing mix will help keep the meatballs moist and give them a delicious flavor.

Step 4: Form and Bake the Meatballs

Using your hands, roll the combined mixture into evenly sized meatballs.

Place the formed meatballs on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

This ensures easy cleanup and prevents the meatballs from sticking.

Once all the meatballs are on the pan, bake them in the preheated oven until cooked through.

Step 5: Serve with Gravy

Once the meatballs are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and top with gravy.

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious turkey stuffing meatballs!

Pair them with your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.