Festive Turkey Cheese Ball Recipe Perfect for Holidays
This festive turkey-shaped cheese ball is a whimsical and delicious centerpiece for your holiday table, perfect for Thanksgiving or any fall gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (chilling time)
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 stalks green onions, finely chopped
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch dressing mix
- 4 slices crispy bacon, crumbled (optional)
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 10–12 pretzel sticks
- 1 small red, orange, or yellow bell pepper
- Candy eyes or small round pieces of olives
- Parsley or lettuce leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, ranch dressing mix, green onions, and crumbled bacon. Mix until well combined.
- Scoop the cheese mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Wrap it tightly and shape it into a ball. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Spread the chopped pecans on a large plate. Once the cheese ball is firm, unwrap it and gently roll it in the pecans until it’s fully coated.
- Place the cheese ball on your serving plate. Insert pretzel sticks into the back of the cheese ball to resemble feathers. Use small slices of bell pepper to make the turkey’s beak and wattle. Attach candy eyes or olive pieces for the eyes.
- Arrange parsley or lettuce leaves around the base for a festive touch. Return to the fridge until ready to serve, or serve immediately with crackers, veggie sticks, or bread.
Notes
[‘Take the cream cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before starting to ensure smooth mixing.’, ‘Press gently but firmly when rolling the cheese ball in chopped pecans to ensure even coating.’, ‘Prepare the cheese ball up to 2 days in advance and add decorations right before serving.’, ‘For the best flavor, let the cheese ball sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 2 tabl
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Turkey cheese ball, holiday appetizer, Thanksgiving recipe, festive cheese ball, easy appetizer, holiday centerpiece