Delicious Leftover Turkey Feast Balls: Your Ultimate Post-Thanksgiving Recipe

The Thanksgiving feast is a beloved tradition, a time for gathering, gratitude, and, of course, an abundance of delicious food. From the succulent turkey to the savory stuffing and creamy mashed potatoes, every dish holds a special place. Yet, with such a grand spread, there are almost always leftovers. While a classic turkey sandwich with all the trimmings is a post-holiday staple, sometimes you crave something new, something exciting, something that reimagines those familiar flavors in an utterly delightful way. Enter these Leftover Turkey Feast Balls – a culinary innovation that promises to transform your holiday remnants into an irresistible, crispy, golden-brown sensation. Prepare yourselves, because these might just become your new favorite way to devour those precious leftovers!

Imagine taking your flavorful leftover stuffing, tender turkey, rich Parmesan cheese, and fragrant fresh herbs, expertly forming them into bite-sized spheres. Then, you envelop each sphere in a comforting layer of creamy mashed potatoes before giving them a final, satisfying coating of crunchy breadcrumbs. A quick deep fry transforms them into golden, crispy morsels, perfect for dipping into a warm, homemade gravy. What’s not to love about that combination of textures and tastes?

Why You’ll Love These Leftover Turkey Feast Balls

Beyond being an ingenious way to utilize every bit of your Thanksgiving bounty, these Turkey Feast Balls offer a truly satisfying culinary experience. They boast a delightful contrast: a savory, herb-infused core of turkey and stuffing, surrounded by creamy mashed potatoes, all encased in a perfectly crispy crust. They are portable, fun to eat, and an excellent appetizer or a light meal. Moreover, they are incredibly versatile, allowing for minor tweaks to suit your family’s preferences. Say goodbye to monotonous leftover meals and hello to a creative dish that will have everyone asking for more!

The Heart of the Feast: Key Ingredients Explained

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the fact that most ingredients are already lingering in your fridge from the big day. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential:

• Stuffing: This forms the flavorful core of your feast balls. Whether you used a classic bread stuffing, cornbread stuffing, or something more adventurous, ensure it’s broken down into fine crumbles. A chunky stuffing might make it difficult for the balls to hold their shape, so consistency is key here.
• Cooked Turkey: Finely chopped, this provides the essential meaty texture and taste. Both white and dark meat work wonderfully, offering a blend of flavors and moisture. Make sure it’s shredded or diced very small to integrate smoothly with the stuffing.
• Parmesan Cheese: Opt for finely grated Parmesan, ideally freshly grated from a block of aged Parmigiano Reggiano. Freshly grated cheese melts beautifully and offers a superior nutty, salty flavor that pre-grated varieties simply can’t match. It acts as a binder and a flavor enhancer.
• Chopped Fresh Parsley, Sage & Thyme: Fresh herbs are always recommended for their vibrant aroma and flavor, which elevate the dish from good to extraordinary. These classic Thanksgiving herbs perfectly complement the turkey and stuffing. If fresh herbs are unavailable, use about one-third of the suggested amount for dried herbs, as their flavor is more concentrated.
• Mashed Potatoes: Crucially, use cold mashed potatoes straight from the fridge. Their firmness makes them much easier to handle and mold around the stuffing balls, creating a smooth, even coating. If your mashed potatoes are too loose, they might not adhere properly.
• Unbleached All-Purpose Flour: This is the first layer of your breading station, helping the egg wash adhere better. I prefer using organic, non-GMO, and glyphosate-free flour, such as that from Sunrise Flour Mill in Minnesota, for its quality. Alternatively, a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can be used for those with dietary restrictions.
• Eggs: Lightly beaten eggs act as the binding agent for the bread crumbs, ensuring a crispy, golden crust. Large eggs, whether chilled or at room temperature, will work perfectly in this recipe.
• Bread Crumbs: The final, glorious outer layer that gives these balls their signature crunch. You have options here: use finely ground regular breadcrumbs, panko for an extra-crispy texture, or even gluten-free breadcrumbs. In my kitchen, I often use a batch from my homemade stash for the freshest flavor.
• Oil for Frying: For deep frying, choose an oil with a high smoke point. My go-to is often extra-virgin olive oil for its pronounced peppery and fruity flavor. Other excellent alternatives include neutral oils like avocado oil or refined coconut oil. Peanut oil is also a popular and reliable choice for frying. It’s generally advisable to avoid seed oils, as they can become toxic when heated to high temperatures.
• Turkey Gravy: No feast ball is complete without its perfect dipping companion! Heat up some leftover Homemade Turkey Gravy to serve alongside these delicious bites.
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional): A small pinch can add a subtle kick and visual appeal, if desired.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Feast Balls

Creating these delightful turkey feast balls is a fun and rewarding process. Follow these steps carefully to ensure perfectly crispy, flavorful results.

• Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent your formed balls from sticking and make them easy to transfer.
• Finely Chop Ingredients for Optimal Texture: For the best results, all your core ingredients – stuffing, turkey, and herbs – should be chopped as finely as possible. This ensures they bind together well and form smooth, cohesive spheres. A reliable kitchen tool like a Kitchen-Aid food chopper can make this task quick and easy.



• Mixing the Core Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine your finely chopped stuffing, turkey, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended. Don’t be shy; use your hands to really combine the mixture, just as you would when making meatballs. This ensures a uniform texture and even distribution of flavors.
• Forming the Stuffing Balls: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into 1.5-inch balls. Aim for a consistent size so they cook evenly. As you form each ball, place it on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Chilling for Firmness: Once all balls are formed, transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and let them set for 30 minutes. This crucial step helps the balls firm up, making them much easier to coat with mashed potatoes without falling apart.





• Setting Up the Dredging Station: This is where the magic of the crispy coating happens. Arrange four bowls in a row to create an efficient assembly line.
  1. Fill the first bowl with very cold mashed potatoes.
  2. The second bowl will hold the all-purpose flour.
  3. Add the lightly beaten eggs to the third bowl.
  4. Fill the fourth bowl with your chosen bread crumbs.



• Coating with Mashed Potatoes: Remove the chilled stuffing balls from the freezer. Take about 3 to 4 tablespoons of the cold mashed potato and carefully wrap it around each stuffing ball, completely encasing it. My vintage ice cream scoop is the perfect size for this task, ensuring consistent portions. Remember to work quickly with cold mashed potatoes for easier handling, cupping the ball in the palm of your hand to form an even coating.




Pro Tip: If you happen to run out of mashed potatoes before coating all your stuffing balls, don’t worry! You can still bread and fry the remaining stuffing balls without the potato layer. They will require less frying time but will still be delicious.

• Breading the Balls: Now, back to the assembly line!
  1. Gently roll each potato-covered ball in the flour, ensuring it’s fully coated. Tap off any excess.
  2. Transfer the floured ball to the egg bowl. Use your hands or a fork to roll it around, covering it completely in the beaten egg.
  3. Finally, dip and thoroughly cover the ball in the bread crumbs. Press gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well.
• Final Prep: Place each fully breaded ball back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue this process until all remaining balls are formed and breaded.



• Deep Frying to Golden Perfection:
  1. Fill a sturdy pot or deep fryer with enough oil to fully submerge the feast balls.
  2. Heat the oil to a consistent 365°F (185°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the temperature, as maintaining the correct heat is crucial for even cooking and a crispy crust without being greasy.
  3. While the oil heats, line another baking sheet with paper towels or place a wire rack over it. This will be used to drain excess oil from the fried balls.
  4. Working in small batches (3 to 4 balls at a time to avoid overcrowding and dropping the oil temperature), carefully drop the balls into the hot oil.
  5. Fry them until they are beautifully golden brown and crunchy, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes per batch.
  6. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried balls and transfer them to your prepared baking sheet or wire rack to drain.
  7. Continue deep frying the remaining balls, adjusting the heat as needed to keep the oil at a consistent 365°F. Patience and temperature control are key here for perfect results every time.




• Serve and Enjoy: Your Leftover Turkey Feast Balls are now ready to be devoured!



• Serve them immediately with your heated leftover gravy for dipping.
• For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, garnish the balls with fresh parsley, a sprinkle of additional finely grated Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired.

Storage and Reheating Tips

These feast balls are best enjoyed fresh, but they also make fantastic leftovers themselves! Store any remaining balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To refresh their crispiness, place them uncovered on a baking tray in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through and the crust is crisp again. Avoid microwaving, as this can make them soggy.

Recipe: Leftover Turkey Feast Balls

Variations and Customizations

This recipe is incredibly flexible! Feel free to experiment with different additions to the stuffing and turkey mixture. A touch of cranberry sauce (finely chopped), a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat, or even a different cheese like Gruyere or cheddar could add exciting new dimensions. If deep frying isn’t your preference, you could try baking them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, or using an air fryer for a healthier, crispy option. Adjust cooking times accordingly.

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Enjoy with these…

These savory feast balls pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider serving them with a fresh, crisp salad or a tangy chutney to cut through the richness. Here are a few suggestions: