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Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs are made with holiday leftovers: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. Perfect for a post-Thanksgiving meal.

turkey meatballs on mashed potatoes covered in gravy

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As we bid farewell to another epic Thanksgiving feast, there’s one thing that’s almost as exciting as the main event itself: leftovers!

This juicy, flavorful meatballs made from finely chopped leftover turkey, mixed with creamy mashed potatoes and savory stuffing, all baked to golden perfection.

Sounds mouthwatering, doesn’t it? Well, that’s because it is!

Why I love this recipe

it’s a brilliant way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers without feeling like you’re eating the same meal over and over again
the meatballs are moist, flavorful, and packed with all the cozy flavors of Thanksgiving
they are perfect for meal prep and can be enjoyed hot or cold, making them ideal for busy weekdays or lazy weekends
you can easily freeze the meatballs for future use if you’re all “turkey-ed out”

Ingredients

stuffing, turkey, and mashed potatoes in white bowls

leftover turkey
leftover mashed potatoes
leftover stuffing
leftover gravy, for serving (optional)

Items Needed

medium mixing bowl
measuring cups
rubber spatula
9×13 baking sheet
parchment paper
food processor
1-inch cookie scoop (optional)

Step by step

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a 9×13 baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the leftover turkey in a food processor and pulse until finely minced, with no large chunks remaining. This should take approximately 30 seconds or less.
In a medium-large mixing bowl, combine the minced turkey with the leftover mashed potatoes and stuffing. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.

Using a slightly overflowing 1-inch cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. The mixture should yield approximately 28 meatballs.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the bottoms are golden brown.

Tips for Best Results

when forming the meatballs, keep in mind that the mixture may be softer than traditional meatballs due to the inclusion of mashed potatoes and stuffing
if using homemade stuffing with larger bread chunks, consider processing it in the food processor to achieve a finer texture for easier meatball formation
adjust the size of the meatballs to your preference, but be mindful of cooking time and temperature changes

Variations

add grated cheese to the meatball mixture for extra flavor.
experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the taste to your liking.
serve the meatballs on a bed of mashed potatoes or pasta for a hearty meal.

Serving suggestions

After Thanksgiving I like to serve these meatballs on a bed of mashed potatoes smothered in gravy or with leftover cranberry sauce as a dipping option for an added burst of holiday flavor.

If I’m not in a Thanksgiving kind of mood, I love pairing them with a simple broccoli cranberry salad or some roasted veggies for a complete meal. They’d also be delicious tucked into a sandwich or served over a creamy tuscan chicken pasta.

turkey meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy

Storing tips

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to three months.

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Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs

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Author: Melissa Riker
Total Time: 25 Minutes
Yield: 28 Meatballs 1x

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Description

Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Meatballs are made with holiday leftovers: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. Perfect for a post-Thanksgiving meal.

Ingredients

Scale

6–8 ounces leftover turkey
2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
2 cups leftover stuffing
leftover gravy, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a 9×13 baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the leftover turkey in a food processor and pulse until finely minced, with no large chunks remaining. This should take approximately 30 seconds or less.
In a medium-large mixing bowl, combine the minced turkey with the leftover mashed potatoes and stuffing. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Using a slightly overflowing 1-inch cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. The mixture should yield approximately 28 meatballs.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the bottoms are golden brown.
Once baked, serve the meatballs immediately with leftover gravy if desired. Alternatively, allow them to cool completely before