Description
Grandma Dot’s Stuffing Balls are a classic, savory side dish made with seasoned bread cubes, sautéed onions and celery, and aromatic herbs. These golden-brown, bite-sized balls are baked until crispy on the outside and tender inside, making them a perfect accompaniment for turkey, chicken, or roast dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Stuffing Balls Ingredients
- 1 bag (12–14 oz) dry seasoned bread cubes
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 ½ to 2 cups chicken broth, as needed
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning or a mix of sage, thyme, rosemary
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt, adjust to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for freshness)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a large baking sheet to prepare for the stuffing balls.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and celery, cooking until they become soft and fragrant, about 5–7 minutes.
- Mix Stuffing Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry seasoned bread cubes with the sautéed onions and celery (including the butter). Add poultry seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, mixing everything evenly.
- Moisten Mixture: Stir in the beaten eggs to bind the ingredients. Gradually add the chicken broth, between 1 ½ to 2 cups, just enough to moisten the mixture so it holds together when pressed.
- Form Balls: Using your hands or a scoop, shape the mixture into golf-ball-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the stuffing balls turn golden brown and develop a slightly crisp exterior.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the stuffing balls warm alongside turkey, chicken, or roast dishes for a comforting and flavorful side.
Notes
- You can adjust the seasoning to taste, especially salt and poultry seasoning.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and use vegetarian bread cubes.
- Adding fresh parsley at the end adds brightness and color.
- These stuffing balls can be prepared a day ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
- Be careful not to add too much broth, or the mixture will be too wet to form balls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffing ball
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
