Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs - Perfect Holiday Dinner recipe for Christmas and Thanksgiving

When it comes to holiday food, let’s be real—turkey and stuffing are always the stars. But what if you could combine them into one epic bite-sized holiday dream? Enter these Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs—a game-changer for your Friendsgiving spread, Christmas dinner, or even that last-minute potluck invite. They’re juicy, flavorful, and basically the best excuse to ditch the carving knife and just pop a forkful straight into your mouth.

The best part? This isn’t just another boring recipe with turkey. These little flavor bombs double as stuffing balls with gravy, can sneak into your list of new Christmas recipes, and even work as different Thanksgiving recipes when you want to shake things up from the same-old bird. They’re versatile, they’re festive, and they’ll have people asking, “Who brought these?!?”

Let’s talk tips (because nobody likes dry meatballs, right?). Finely chop the onion and celery—like, don’t get lazy here. Use a food processor if you must. This keeps the texture smooth and locks in that moisture. Use gloved hands and a scoop—less mess, evenly sized, and no one’s getting that one mutant meatball that takes forever to cook. And FYI: space them at least an inch apart on the pan. Crowding = sad, steamed meatballs. Spacing = golden, crispy edges. Big difference.

And don’t think these are limited to the oven either. You could totally try them as chicken stuffing meatballs, toss them in a slow cooker for crockpot turkey and stuffing, or even sneak in a little cranberry stuffing action if you’re feeling bold. However you serve them, these turkey and stuffing balls will become your go-to turkey dish when the holidays roll around.

So, ready to level up your holiday menu? These meatballs are calling your name.

Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs - Perfect Holiday Dinner recipe for Christmas and Thanksgiving

These Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs are like Thanksgiving rolled into a bite-sized treat! Perfect for adding to your Friendsgiving spread or serving as a festive appetizer at any holiday gathering.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Course: Appetizer, Main | Cuisine: American | Servings: 8 | Author: Aleda

Ingredients

• ½ lb mushrooms, finely diced (roughly 3 cups)
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped (about ½ of a large onion)
• ½ cup celery, finely chopped
• 1 lb ground turkey breast
• ½ cup coarse cornmeal or dry cornbread stuffing
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1 egg, lightly whisked
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients until evenly mixed.
3. Using a meatball scoop or a small melon baller, portion out the mixture into 24 meatballs, about 1½ inches each. The mixture should feel moist but hold together when shaped. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet with at least 1 inch between each.
4. Bake uncovered for 18–22 minutes, or until the centers reach 165°F on a meat thermometer.
5. Serve warm. These are great on their own with mini skewers or paired with a side of cranberry sauce for dipping. Optional: sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

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