Turkey Cheese Ball for Thanksgiving

4.6
(11)
9 Reviews
6 Photos

Any cheese ball recipe can be turned into the shape of a turkey for a festive appetizer at your Thanksgiving dinner. All you need is some creativity!

Submitted by Allrecipes
Updated on March 27, 2023
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
32
Yield:
1 large cheese ball
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 32 servings

Cheese Ball:

  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

  • 3 ½ cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

  • 1 (1 ounce) package Ranch-style dressing mix

  • 2 cups chopped pecans

For the Turkey:

  • 1 cup whole pecans

  • 7 whole-wheat crackers

  • ¼ red bell pepper

  • 1 black olive

  • ½ teaspoon cream cheese, softened

  • 1 slice yellow zucchini

Directions

  1. Mix cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, and dressing mix together in a large bowl. Form into a large ball. Roll in chopped pecans to coat surface. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

  2. Decorate the turkey: Arrange a row of whole-wheat crackers in the back of the cheese ball for the turkey tail feathers. Stick pecans evenly into the cheese ball for the body.

  3. Cut out 2 strips of red bell pepper for the head and neck. Cut out 2 "eyes" from the black olive using a small pastry tip. Place 2 small dollops of cream cheese on one of the 2 bell pepper strips for the turkey head and stick the black olive circles into it as pupils. Cut a small triangular slice out of the yellow zucchini for the turkey beak and stick to the red pepper with cream cheese. Stick the undecorated red bell pepper strip on the front of the cheese ball. Stick the red bell pepper stick with the face into the top of the cheese ball for the head.

Editor's Note:

You can make this recipe ahead of time. Assemble the turkey with the pecan "feathers" and store in the refrigerator, loosely wrapped in plastic. Add cracker tail feathers and the turkey head and neck just before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

179 Calories
17g Fat
3g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 32
Calories 179
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 6g 32%
Cholesterol 29mg 10%
Sodium 188mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 5g 10%
Vitamin C 1mg 2%
Calcium 109mg 8%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 82mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.