Make Thanksgiving leftovers into something new. All you need are 3 main ingredients and 35 minutes to transform leftovers into delicious baked turkey meatballs!
I love a good Thanksgiving meal, but sometimes eating leftovers for 2-3 days of the same things can be difficult. And more often than not, something gets wasted. So turning Thanksgiving leftovers into turkey meatballs is the perfect way to use up the last of the mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, and gravy into a whole new meal (can even be served as snacks or appetizers)!
Baked Turkey Meatballs with Thanksgiving Leftovers
Ingredients
- 6-8 Ounces Leftover Turkey
- 2 Cups Leftover Mashed Potatoes
- 2 Cups Leftover Stuffing (chop into fine pieces if larger bread pieces were used in the stuffing mix)
- Leftover Gravy or use turkey packet dressing, for serving (optional)
- Leftover Cranberry Sauce, for serving (optional)
- Salt/Pepper as needed
Note: If you don’t have leftovers, the recipe can be made by making the ingredients listed. This recipe can also easily be halved if you have less leftovers.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups
- Rubber Spatula
- 9×13 Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Food Processor or cutting board/knife
- 1-inch Cookie Scoop (optional)
How to Make Baked Turkey Meatballs
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Yields: approximately 28 Meatballs
Step 1. Preheat oven to 375 °F and line a 9×13 baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Place the turkey in a food processor and blitz until there are no large chunks left (about 30 seconds or less). If you don’t have a food processor, use a cutting board and knife to fine-mince the turkey. Tip: If using homemade stuffing or stuffing with larger bread chunks, fine chop or blitz in the food processor. This will help make it easier to combine with the other ingredients and is easier to form into uniform, smooth meatballs.
Step 2. In a mixing bowl, place the minced turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Mix until fully combined. Taste the mixture and add salt/pepper if needed.
Step 3. Take a 1-inch cookie scoop to make each meatball, making sure each scoop is slightly overflowing. Then roll each scoop into a ball and place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Note: These do not expand while cooking, so they can be placed fairly close together, but not touching.
Step 4. Bake for 15 minutes or until the bottoms of the turkey meatballs are golden brown. For a more evenly browned meatball, gently turn the meatballs at 7 minutes and continue baking for 8 minutes. Note: Since these turkey meatballs are softer than normal meatballs, they will have a slightly flat bottom.
Step 5. Serve immediately with gravy, cranberry sauce, or eat it plain!
How to Store Leftover Turkey Meatballs
Fridge: Place leftover turkey meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezer: Freeze leftover turkey meatballs for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Meatballs can also be placed in a single layer in airtight bag with as much air pushed out as possible.
So there you have it – a simple way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. These meatballs are a filling snack or a quick meal that everyone will enjoy.
Baked Turkey Meatballs
Use leftover Thanksgiving turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing to make baked turkey meatballs. A tasty snack or meal that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 6-8 Ounces Leftover Turkey
- 2 Cups Leftover Mashed Potatoes
- 2 Cups Leftover Stuffing (chop into fine pieces if larger bread pieces were used in the stuffing mix)
- Leftover Gravy or use turkey packet dressing, for serving (optional)
- Leftover Cranberry Sauce, for serving (optional)
- Salt/Pepper as needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F and line a 9×13 baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Place the turkey in a food processor and blitz until there are no large chunks left (about 30 seconds or less). If you don’t have a food processor, use a cutting board and knife to fine-mince the turkey. Tip: If using homemade stuffing or stuffing with larger bread chunks, fine chop or blitz in the food processor. This will help make it easier to combine with the other ingredients and is easier to form into uniform, smooth meatballs.
- In a mixing bowl, place the minced turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Mix until fully combined. Taste the mixture and add salt/pepper if needed.
- Take a 1-inch cookie scoop, making sure each scoop is slightly overflowing, to make each meatball. Roll each scoop into a ball and place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Note: These do not expand while cooking, so they can be placed fairly close together, but not touching.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the bottoms of the turkey meatballs are golden brown. For a more evenly browned meatball, gently turn the meatballs at 7 minutes and continue baking for 8 minutes. Note: Since these turkey meatballs are softer than normal meatballs, they will be slightly where it touches the baking sheet.
- Serve immediately with gravy, cranberry sauce, or eat it plain!
Notes
Note: If you don’t have leftovers, the recipe can be made by making the ingredients listed. This recipe can also easily be halved if you have less leftovers.
Recommended Products
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Cuisinart FP-8SV Elemental 8 Cup Food Processor, Silver -
Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware, Brownie Pan, 9-inch by 13-inch -
200 Pcs 9x13 inch Heavy Duty Unbleached Parchment Paper Sheets -
Heat Resistant Silicone Spatulas Set for Nonstick Cookware -
Good Cook Melamine (12 Piece) Bowl Set: Mixing Bowls With Lids, Nesting Serving Bowls For Kitchen Storage
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