Introduction:

Transform your leftover turkey and stuffing into savory, bite-sized balls that are perfect for a quick snack, appetizer, or even a fun dinner. These turkey and stuffing balls are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures. They’re easy to prepare and can be enjoyed with your favorite dipping sauces or as a stand-alone treat.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups leftover stuffing (prepared)
  • 1 1/2 cups leftover turkey (shredded or finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your preferred cheese)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (for coating)
  • Vegetable oil (for frying, or you can bake them)

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Instructions:

Preheat Oven (if baking):

First off before frying the balls, you will have to preheat the oven to 375F.

Mix Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, add in the rest of the stuffing, turkey meat, cheese, parsley, mayonnaise, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Mix until thoroughly incorporated. The contents should feel damp though it isn’t runny. If it has very little moisture, new mayonnaise or a little bit of chicken broth might be in order.

Form Balls:

Take small portions of the mixture and using your hand, roll into small balls of about 1 inch in diameter and arrange on a baking sheet lined paper. If baking, then place the pieces a little spaced from each other.

Coat the Balls:

Dust every ball with some plain flour removing excess flour. Afterwards, dip into beaten egg and cover with breadcrumbs while lightly pressing to ensure breadcrumbs stick on top.

Cook the Balls:

For Baking:

Put in the already warmed oven for around 20-25 minutes or until the surface is brown and crispy. As you are half way through cooking make sure you shake the balls for equally brown cooking in all the sides.

Frying:

In a large frying pan, heat 1-2 inches of vegetable oil over a medium flame. In batches, gently fry the balls while turning occasionally until the color turns golden brown, approximately four to five minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Serving:

Serve the turkey and stuffing balls in a warm state along with and some ligaments for the business of sauces like gravies, cranberry, or ranch dressing.

Hints for Success:

Consistent Size: The balls should be of the same weight/size so that they all cook at the same time.

Prepping Ahead: You don’t have to wait to mix the balls when you are ready to cook them, you can do it earlier and chill them. That can help them keep their shape better when being cooked.

Oil Temperature: When frying, make sure that when adding the balls to the hot oil, the oil is already hot, so that the balls do not soak in oil.

Health Benefits:

Lean Protein: Turkey is able to provide one with good lean protein which is important in aid muscle recovery as well as healthy functions.

Vegetable Benefits: Use fresh parsley or any other herbs to add more vitamins to your dish.

Nutritional Information: (Per ball, assuming 24 balls)

Calories: 70

Protein: 4g

Carbohydrates: 7g

Fat: 3g

Saturated Fat: 1g

Cholesterol: 25mg

Sodium: 150mg

Fiber: 1g

Variations and Substitutions:

Cheese Alternatives: Cheddar cheese can be exchanged with other kinds of cheese; mozzarella, Parmesan or Feta are fun variations.

Vegetarian Version: For vegetarian, omit turkey and use more of the stuffing with vegetable broth in place of mayonnaise as a binder.

Aggressive Pizzazz: Lightly dust the mixture with red chili powder, or even add a dash of hot sauce.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs):

Q: Is it possible to use a ready-made stuffing rather than preparing it? A: Certainly; this is an excellent recipe that accepts stuffing bought from stores. Just make sure it is well-seasoned.

Q: Is it possible to keep these balls in the freezer? A: Yes, the uncooked or cooked balls can be kept in the freezer. Place the balls in a single layer on a baking tray to chill, and then store in a freezer bag. When ready to consume – cook from frozen or bake from frozen or fry until all heat is out of it.

Q: What sauce is best for serving with these turkey stuffing balls? A: These balls can be served with a number of sauces for instance gravy, cranberry sauce or mustard sauce, or even thick fruit dal which also pairs well with these types of preparations. These balls can also be enjoyed along with simple salads or steamed vegetables on the side.

Conclusion:

You do not have to waste the remaining turkey after the holiday since you can incorporate it towards all turkey and stuffing balls. Fried or baked, these turkey stuffing balls have a crunch that makes them appealing on the outside while soft and tasty on the inside. While they reproduce all at least what is left over and beyond, these balls are handy, easy to construct, and can be used on any celebration. Satisfy your matryoshka doll appreciation and use your holiday leftover wisely