These stuffing muffins are a great way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers, and turn them into something so flavorful and delicious! I love making and serving these as a quick grab-and-go breakfast, but you could have them for dinner or even as a snack if you’re really craving one!
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I’m a big fan of recipes that use up pantry and refrigerator leftovers. My leftover roast beef was transformed into hearty leftover roast beef wraps, and my Thanksgiving leftovers were always transformed into leftover stuffing burgers. But this time, I really wanted to try something simpler.
That’s when I tried making these leftover stuffing muffins, and I’m glad to say, this has become my favorite leftover turkey recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Stuffing Muffins Recipe
- No waste: Whether you’re trying to stick to a budget or are just conscious about using up food leftovers, this recipe is perfect.
- Packed with flavors: The muffins pack in savory deliciousness from the gravy and that bit of salty, creaminess from the cheese.
- Easy to serve: No knives or forks are needed! These turkey muffins can be enjoyed just like that, all on their own.
- Lots of texture: Every bite has the meaty turkey, hearty mashed potatoes, soft egg, rich cheese, and lots of crispy stuffing.
Ingredients
- Leftover turkey: Chop up some of that leftover turkey and use it as the bulk for this recipe. Whether you've got some roasted turkey or slow cooker turkey breast -- they will all work!
- Leftover stuffing: Almost any kind of stuffing works just fine for this recipe. And yes, boxed stuffing is cool too!
- Turkey gravy: Got some of that gravy too? Awesome! You can use it as a side to go with the muffins.
- Leftover mashed potato: Use some of that extra mashed potato side you have. This will make the muffins soft and fluffy.
- Egg: To bind all the ingredients together, and to give the muffin its shape.
- Shredded cheese: Use any kind of cheese you have. Cheddar and Mozzarella are classics you can’t go wrong with.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Meat swap: If you don’t have leftover turkey, use some rotisserie chicken or leftover beef roast, or even some ham as the protein! They all taste incredible!
- Bulk it up: To make these dinner muffins healthier, add chopped veggies like onions, green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, and celery, especially if your stuffing doesn’t already have them.
- Berry time: To bring some beautiful pop of flavor to the muffins, add some cranberries, raisins, or even chopped apples into the stuffing.
- Topping time: Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and fresh parsley are all great toppings to go with these muffins!
How to Make Stuffing Muffins
To make the Thanksgiving stuffing muffins, first grease your muffin tray with some non-stick cooking spray, and preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
Step 1: Prep the muffin mixture. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, stuffing, egg, and mashed potato. Mix until you get a uniform mixture.
Step 2: Portion it out. Using your hands, shape portions of the mixture into rounds- large enough to fit well inside the muffin tray.
Step 3: Top with cheese. Place them all into each greased section of the muffin tray, and top with shredded cheese.
Step 4: Bake and serve. Bake these for 20 minutes and heat the gravy. Serve hot!
⭐ Hint: Want the cheese to be nice and melty? Broil the muffins for a few minutes before you serve.
Need more ways to use up turkey leftovers? Try this Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Patties, Leftover Turkey Carcass Soup, Turkey and Stuffing Casserole (Crock Pot),Turkey Gravy Without Drippings recipes!
Storage Directions
- Storing: If you have any leftovers, allow them to cool down and then move them to an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to 2-3 days but don't forget to account for the time your leftover ingredients were in the fridge! You can also freeze them for up to three months.
- Reheating: The muffins can be reheated easily in the microwave or a toaster oven.
Serving Suggestions
These turkey stuffing muffins taste insanely delicious and can be enjoyed on their own, or with the leftover gravy if you really want to go the extra mile.
When I don’t have the turkey gravy, but still want something to pair with these muffins, I like to whip up some ham sauce or my favorite Instant Pot cranberry sauce to go with it.
I think these muffins would pair amazingly well with some mustard maple syrup too.
Don't forget a slice of leftover graham cracker pumpkin pie or smoked pecan pie.
Expert Tips
- Keep it moist: If your leftover stuffing is too dry, and the muffin mixture isn’t holding its shape properly, you might want to add a splash of water or chicken stock to lend it some moisture, and to help all the ingredients bind together.
- Keep it light: Season the muffin mixture lightly if you want to. Avoid going heavy on the spices, as the stuffing, turkey, and gravy all have lots of them.
- Make it in a dish: If you’re making this as a meal for the family, it makes sense to cook everything in a pan or a dish, as opposed to a muffin tray.
- Pack it in: Use an ice cream scoop to pack the mixture into muffin tins.
Recipe FAQs
Go beyond the traditional and add veggies like corn, mushrooms, green beans, broccoli, and even green onions to the stuffing mixture.
You can! They should take anywhere between 10-15 minutes in the Air Fryer when cooked at 400 degrees.
You can also make these stuffing muffins ahead of time if you want to. Portion the mixture into the muffin tray, cover the tray with cling wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
More Delicious Turkey Recipes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Stuffing and Turkey Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover turkey, chopped
- 2 cups leftover stuffing
- 4 cups leftover mashed potato
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup cheese, shredded to taste
- turkey gravy, leftover or canned
- cooking spray or butter, for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
- Prepare a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine leftover chopped up turkey, leftover stuffing, leftover mashed potato and egg. You need about ½ of the mixture to be potato and ¼ stuffing and ¼ turkey. Amounts are a rough estimate. Sometimes we have more and sometimes we have less. These muffins are always fabulous. Add shredded cheese if desired. We usually do.
- We usually just use our hands to mix.
- Once blended together, make ball sized portions and place in to each hole in your muffin tin.
- Press a pinch of shredded cheese on top, if desired, and bake for 20 minutes.
- Heat up your gravy.
- Broil for a minute or two before removing from the oven to brown your cheese if desired or required. Serve with gravy. Enjoy!
Notes
- Keep it light: Season the muffin mixture lightly if you want to. Avoid going heavy on the spices, as the stuffing, turkey, and gravy all have lots of them.
- Make it in a dish: If you’re making this as a meal for the family, it makes sense to get everything in a pan or a dish, as opposed to a muffin tray.
- Pack it in: Use an ice cream scoop to pack the mixture into muffin tins.
- Keep it moist: If your leftover stuffing is too dry, and the muffin mixture isn’t holding its shape properly, you might want to add a splash of water or chicken stock to lend it some moisture, and to help all the ingredients bind together.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in December 2016. It's been updated with new images and post content.
Ginger S. says
I'm just going to say it... This was better than Thanksgiving dinner! I'm hoping they freeze and reheat well, because I am going to use the rest of the turkey making these. The only change I made was that I incorporated the cheese into the mix rather than on top. So simple, so perfect. AMAZING!
Karin and Ken says
I’m so glad to hear it. I could not agree more. Such a wonderful change when you’ve been eating turkey dinner forever. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin
Christina says
This could be one of the best idea's since sliced bread! I'm in love! These savory muffins are so delicious and i just throw whatever I made into them every time. I dip them in left over gravy or just heat up with butter or melted cheese. Or just the way they are.
Karin and Ken says
I absolutely love them too. I love them with gravy but my son eats them with or without. I make extra turkey, mashed, stuffing and gravy just so I have enough to make these muffins every year. I can’t help it. So happy you enjoyed them too. All the best. Karin
Pauline says
Thank you for this delightful recipe! This works for everyone! And sometimes I use the leftover leftovers and put them into an omlett. They are neat way to get rid of leftovers. I love this!
Karin and Ken says
I’m so happy you’re enjoying this recipe. Sounds wonderful putting inside an omelet. Thank you for the suggestion. I’m going to try that myself. All the best. Karin
Jason says
My family and I tried the Leftover Turkey Dinner Muffins like the blog said it taste yummy. We give it a 10 out of 10. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe for leftovers.
Karin and Ken says
As always you are most welcome! We love these muffins almost as much as the dinner itself! 😉 I am glad you enjoyed them. Take care and all the best. Karin