Keto Holiday Turkey & Stuffing Muffins: The "Million-Dollar" Leftover Remake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbPBeloxfXs&t=671s

Dave, these are a strategic masterpiece for the "Cooking with Dave" lineup. By utilizing blended cottage cheese and shredded mozzarella as the binder, you’ve engineered a "muffin" that captures the exact sage-and-onion soul of traditional stuffing without the bread. At 10g of protein and only 2g net carbs per muffin, these are the ultimate high-performance snack to keep in the fridge while you're busy with DKMKT or sourcing for Commonwealth Collections here in Ormond Beach.

The secret to this recipe is the "Cauliflower Moisture-Shed," where sautéing the riced cauliflower before mixing ensures the muffins stay firm and "Million-Dollar" savory rather than becoming a watery mess.

The Science of the "Stuffing" Set: Hydration and Heat

The biggest pitfall in keto stuffing remakes is a "mushy" texture that falls apart when you peel off the liner.

The Pro Technique: We utilize "Lactic Protein Cross-Linking." By whisking the blended cottage cheese with eggs and bouillon, you create a high-protein "glue" that surrounds the turkey and veggies. The chicken bouillon is the "Pro Move" here—it provides the "Million-Dollar" deep, roasted poultry flavor that usually takes hours of turkey-dripping reduction to achieve.

Ingredients: The "Classic Holiday" Power Profile

The "Flavor-Town" Base

• 15 oz Carved Turkey: The "Pro Choice" for that authentic, thick-cut texture.

• The "Garden" Crunch: Celery, onion, mushrooms, and riced cauliflower.

• The "Grandma's Kitchen" Spices: Poultry seasoning, garlic, onion, and black pepper.

The "Velvet" Binder

• ¾ cup Blended Cottage Cheese: The high-protein secret to a "Million-Dollar" moist crumb.

• 3 Eggs & 3 tbsp Heavy Cream: For that rich, custardy "stuffing" mouthfeel.

• ⅓ cup Mozzarella: The "hidden" binder that ensures the muffins pop out of the tin perfectly.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Mastering the Muffin

1. The "Million-Dollar" Sauté

Sauté your celery, onion, and mushrooms in butter. Dave's Pro Move: Cook your riced cauliflower in the same pan for 3 minutes. You are looking to "drive off" the steam; if the cauliflower stays wet, the muffins won't set. This dehydration step is the key to a professional, bakery-grade bite.

2. The "Silk-Bouillon" Emulsion

Use your Ninja Chop to blend the cottage cheese until 100% smooth, then whisk in the eggs and bouillon. Pro-Tip: Don't skip the bouillon—it acts as the "Million-Dollar" seasoning backbone for the entire batch.

3. The "Flavor-Marriage" Mix

Combine the sautéed veggies, turkey, and custard. Crucial Rule: Let the mixture sit for 2–3 minutes after mixing. This allows the dry spices and turkey to start absorbing the custard, ensuring a "Million-Dollar" uniform flavor in every bite.

4. The "Tight-Pack" Method

Pack the mixture tightly into your greased muffin tin. Pro-Tip: Use the back of a spoon to press down; the tighter the pack, the more "bread-like" the final texture will feel.

5. The "Golden-Set" Bake

Bake at 375°F for 20–24 minutes. The "Visual" Rule: You are looking for matte tops and just a hint of gold on the edges. Pro-Tip: Let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes! The cottage cheese proteins need that cooling window to "lock" the shape.

🥑 Macros (Per Muffin - Makes 12)

Essential Kitchen Gear

• For the Prep: To ensure your custard is professional-grade and "silk-smooth," the Ninja Chop is the hero tool for the cottage cheese emulsification.

• The Prep Surface: Your OXO Cutting Board is the perfect station for dicing the aromatics and turkey.

• The Sizzle: A high-quality 12-cup non-stick muffin tin is the "Pro Choice" for easy release.

   

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead?

Yes, but brown it first! However, carved turkey gives a much more "Million-Dollar" authentic stuffing texture than the uniform grain of ground meat.

Why are my muffins soft in the middle?

This usually means the cauliflower was too wet or they needed another 2 minutes in the oven. Check with a toothpick—it should come out "Million-Dollar" clean.

How do I store and reheat?

This is a meal-prep dream! Store in the fridge for 5 days or freeze for months. Reheat in the Air Fryer at 350°F for 4 minutes to bring back that "Million-Dollar" buttery, crisp exterior.

What is the best "Holiday" topping?

A tiny dot of Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce and a sprig of fresh rosemary provides a sophisticated, high-end finish that will make these a viral hit on the vlog.