Savor the Season: Delicious Turkey, Stuffing & Cranberry Empanadas Featuring Ocean Spray® Craisins®

As the air begins to crisp and leaves transform into a vibrant tapestry of reds and golds, we’re eagerly diving headfirst into the most wonderful time of the year. Our minds are already buzzing with thoughts of the comforting aromas and delicious foods that define the fall and holiday seasons. Even if the temperatures are still lingering near the 90s, that’s not stopping us from infusing our daily lives with a touch of autumn magic. We’ve already embraced the pumpkin spice craze, and now, we’re taking our beloved empanadas on a festive journey, transforming them into a delightful ode to Thanksgiving.

Typically, our empanada creations are stuffed with classic fillings like seasoned chicken or savory beef. However, with fall in full swing and the holidays on the horizon, we decided to craft a truly unique and irresistible version. Picture this: tender, shredded turkey, the comforting embrace of your favorite stuffing, and the vibrant, sweet-tart burst of Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries, all encased in a perfectly crispy empanada shell. This Thanksgiving-inspired empanada promises to be a game-changer for your seasonal entertaining or a delightful family meal.

A Harvest of Flavors: Why Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry?

The combination of turkey, stuffing, and cranberries is a time-honored trio, synonymous with warmth, togetherness, and the bounty of the harvest season. While traditional preparations are undeniably delicious, we challenged ourselves to reimagine these beloved flavors in an exciting new format. Empanadas, with their versatile pastry and handheld appeal, provided the perfect canvas for this culinary experiment. The thought of blending these three fall classics into a single, portable bite was simply too intriguing to resist, and we can confirm, the results were absolutely delicious!

What truly elevated these empanadas from great to extraordinary was the ingenious inclusion of Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries. Beyond their rich, vibrant color, these delightful dried cranberries introduced a subtle yet impactful sweet-tart “zing” that harmonized beautifully with the savory turkey and herbed stuffing. This unexpected flavor dimension created a truly unique tasting experience that captured the hearts and palates of everyone who sampled them. It’s a brilliant way to add a touch of gourmet sophistication to a comforting, familiar dish, proving that classic flavors can always be reinvented in exciting ways.

Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries: The Sweet-Tart Secret Ingredient

Beyond their incredible flavor contribution to these festive empanadas, Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries are a powerhouse ingredient brimming with benefits. It’s truly wonderful to know that while enjoying all the delicious holiday foods, you’re also incorporating a nutritious element. Just a mere 1/4 cup of Craisins® Dried Cranberries provides the equivalent of 1/2 cup of fruit! This makes them an exceptional choice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, offering a convenient and tasty way to boost your daily fruit intake.

The versatility of Craisins® Dried Cranberries extends far beyond our delicious empanadas. They are perfect for snacking straight from the bag, offering a naturally sweet and tangy treat on their own. For those looking to enhance other dishes, they can be effortlessly tossed into vibrant salads for a burst of color and flavor, or mixed into homemade trail mixes for an energy-boosting snack. With endless possibilities, Craisins® are an indispensable pantry staple, especially when entertaining fall guests or simply elevating your everyday meals. We love stocking up on these little gems!

For savvy shoppers, Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries offer fantastic value. While bulk options might vary by location at Sam’s Club, we’re thrilled that they are readily available at local Walmart stores. Even better, you can often find them at a rollback price, such as $4.98 for a generous 24 oz package, making it incredibly easy and affordable to keep your pantry well-stocked. This ensures you’re always ready to add that unique sweet-tart flavor to your culinary creations and everyday snacks.

Crafting Your Festive Empanadas: A Step-by-Step Guide

Bringing these delightful Turkey, Stuffing & Cranberry Empanadas to life is simpler than you might imagine. This recipe combines comfort food classics with a convenient preparation method, making it ideal for both seasoned cooks and kitchen novices alike. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a unique twist on fall flavors!

Ingredients:

1 package (approximately 10-12 count) Empanada Discs (store-bought for convenience, usually found in the frozen section)
1 boneless, skinless Turkey Breast (about 1.5-2 lbs)
1 box of your favorite Store-Bought Stuffing Mix (prepared according to package directions)
1 cup Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries (or more, to taste)
Cooking Oil (for frying, such as vegetable or canola)
1 whole Garlic Head, cut in half
1 medium Onion, cut in half
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 tablespoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Paprika
Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Butter (optional, for enhancing stuffing flavor)

How To Prepare:

For the Slow Cooked Turkey:

Begin by preparing your turkey. Place the halved garlic head and onion halves into your slow cooker.
Add the boneless turkey breast on top of the aromatics. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the turkey.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the turkey is incredibly tender and easily shredded with a fork.
Once cooked, remove the turkey from the slow cooker, shred it thoroughly, and return it to its natural juices in the pot to keep it moist and flavorful. Set aside.

For the Stuffing:

Prepare your favorite store-bought stuffing mix according to the package instructions. For an extra touch of richness, you can stir in a tablespoon of butter while it’s still warm.

For the Empanadas Assembly:

Thaw your empanada discs according to package directions if frozen. Lay them out on a clean, floured surface.
Take one unfrozen empanada disc and place a spoonful of the shredded turkey mixture (ensuring it’s not too wet), a spoonful of prepared stuffing, and a generous sprinkle of Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries in the center of the disc. Be careful not to overfill, as this will make sealing difficult.

Fold the empanada disc in half, creating a crescent shape. Gently press the edges together to seal.
Using a fork, crimp the edges of the empanada to create a decorative seal and ensure the filling stays inside during frying.

For Frying:

Heat about 2-3 inches of cooking oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat to 350-375°F (175-190°C).
Carefully place a few empanadas into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
Fry for 3-5 minutes per side, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown and are crispy.
Remove the fried empanadas with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Serve warm and enjoy the festive explosion of flavors!

Elevate Your Fall Cooking with Craisins®

Truly, Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries have a magical way of making everything taste better, adding a unique twist that elevates even the simplest dishes. Beyond their role in these delightful empanadas, they contribute to a healthier lifestyle in a way that feels fun and enjoyable. With their natural sweetness and tangy bite, they’re not just an ingredient; they’re an experience.

We are bursting with excitement to incorporate Craisins® Dried Cranberries into even more of our fall and holiday culinary adventures. Imagine the depth of flavor they could bring to a rich bread pudding, the festive touch they’ll add to a comforting arroz con dulce (sweet rice pudding), or even the vibrant burst they’d offer in a seasonal smoothie. The possibilities are truly endless, and each promises a delicious journey for your taste buds. We highly encourage you to explore the versatility of Craisins® in your own kitchen this season.

Ready to discover more inspiring ideas and recipes that feature the incredible taste of Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries? Or perhaps you’re looking to stock up and need to find a store near you? Simply click here to unlock a world of delicious possibilities. Happy cooking and happy fall!