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My Favorite Holiday Leftover Fix
Girls let me tell you about my absolute favorite way to transform those holiday leftovers. These Turkey Stuffing Balls are totally addictive and so much fun to make. I love how they take all those yummy Thanksgiving flavors and turn them into these perfect little bites. Add some warm gravy and cranberry sauce and oh my goodness you won't believe how good they are.
Why You Need to Try These
Trust me these aren't just any old leftovers recipe. They're like having all the best parts of your holiday meal in one perfect bite. I love making them for our Friendsgiving gatherings or when we need a quick snack. You can bake or fry them depending on what you're in the mood for and everyone always goes crazy for them.
Everything You Need to Make Them
- The Main Star: Leftover turkey just shred it up or chop it nice and small.
- The Good Stuff: Your leftover stuffing it needs to be nice and moist.
- Extra Creamy: Those leftover mashed potatoes help hold everything together.
- Crispy Touch: Panko breadcrumbs if you want that extra crunch.
- The Sauce: Warm gravy is a must have here.
- For Cooking: Butter or oil depending on how you want to cook them.
- Extra Yum: Don't forget the cranberry sauce for dipping.
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Let's Make These Together
- Mix It Up
- Get your stuffing mashed potatoes and turkey all mixed up in a big bowl I do equal parts potatoes and stuffing add some pepper if you want.
- Roll Them Out
- Make them into little meatball sized balls let everything come to room temp first it's so much easier.
- Time to Cook
- You can either pop them in the oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes or roll them in panko and fry them in some butter until they're golden brown.
- The Final Touch
- Smother them with hot gravy and serve up that cranberry sauce on the side.
My Best Tips for Success
Make sure everything's room temperature before you start mixing it makes life so much easier. Want them extra crispy? That panko coating is amazing when you fry them. If your stuffing feels a bit dry just add a splash of broth. Sometimes I even deep fry them when I'm feeling fancy they turn out like something from a fancy pub.
Keeping Them Fresh
Pop any leftovers in an airtight container they'll stay good in the fridge for about 3 days. When you want to reheat them use the oven or a skillet skip the microwave they stay way crispier that way.
Fun Ways to Serve Them
These are perfect as appetizers with little cups of gravy for dipping or serve them up as a side dish with some roasted veggies. Sometimes I add some shredded cheese to the mix or wrap them in bacon before cooking talk about amazing. They're so good alongside stuffing waffles if you really want to get creative with those leftovers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I freeze these stuffing balls?
- Yes, form the balls and freeze before cooking. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge and then bake or fry as directed.
- → Why warm up the ingredients first?
- Warm ingredients are easier to mix and shape. Cold leftovers can be stiff and won't bind together as well.
- → Can I make these without mashed potatoes?
- The mashed potatoes help bind everything together. Without them, the balls might fall apart. You could try using more stuffing, but results may vary.
- → Which method is better - baking or frying?
- Both work great! Baking is healthier and easier, while frying with panko coating creates a crispier exterior. Choose based on your preference.
- → How do I keep the balls from falling apart?
- Press firmly when forming the balls, like making a snowball. If they're too soft, chill them briefly before cooking.