• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

A Table Full Of Joy

Delicious food for everyone!

  • Easter Recipes
  • Spring Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • About & Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Easter Recipes
  • Spring Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • About & Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving

    Turkey Cheese Ball

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    This Turkey Cheese Ball is so easy and fun to make, everyone will love it! Not only is shaped like a turkey but it’s tasty too!

    Turkey Cheese Ball surrounded by crackers
    Isn't this so cute!
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I wanted to share one of my favorite appetizers! This Turkey Cheese Ball is always so fun to bring to dinner!

    Kids and adults love it! If you like this make sure to check out my smoked cream cheese, cream cheese green beans and maybe these tasty pecan pie brownies!

    What you need:

    • Diary: Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese
    • Seasoning: Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper
    • Green Onions
    • Pecans
    • Decorations: Meat Stick, Pretzel Rod, Candy Eyes, Oreo, Candy Corn, Candy Melt
    • Crackers for dipping!
    Ingredients for Turkey Cheese Ball (Cream CHeese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onion, spices)
    Ingredients for Turkey Cheese Ball (pretzels, face and neck items, pecans)
    Simple ingredients for a tasty treat!

    A turkey cheese ball for Thanksgiving is a must have for every year now. It’s so simple and so cute!

    Turkey Cheese Ball looked to the side
    Ok but why does he look like he has a far off look from the side? So cute!

    If you are looking for more Thanksgiving appetizers and recipes, you can check them all out here. Make sure to check out my favorite baked brie, jalapeno or smoked deviled eggs and hot artichoke dip to serve along side this fun Turkey Cheese Ball!

    How to make a Cheese Ball?

    • Chop and toast Pecans, then set aside
    • In a bowl combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. It helps to use a stand or hand mixer!
    • Place cream cheese mixture on a piece of saran wrap, then roll into a ball.
    • Refrigerate until a bit firmer.
    cream cheese ball ingredients in bowl
    mixed cream cheese
    placing cream cheese in seran wrap
    shaping cream cheese into a ball

    How to make a Turkey Shaped Cheese Ball?

    • Once you have your cheese ball shaped and chilled, remove the plastic wrap and roll in chopped nuts.
    • Make the neck and face of the turkey by melting the candy melts and affixing the eyes and nose to the head, and then the head to the neck.
    • Place pretzel rods of varying lengths into the cheeseball in a fan shape and then place the neck with the head onto the cheeseball.
    toasted pecans
    rolling cream cheese ball in pecans
    cheese ball rolled in pecans
    adding candy melt to eye candy
    adding candy melt to meat stick
    eyes and nose added to oreo
    placing head on meat stick
    adding pretzels to cheese ball
    adding head and neck to cheese ball

    Do you have to toast the pecans?

    No, but I love the extra flavor toasting nuts adds. It’s up to you whether you want to or not!

    Cheese balls are really easy to make and really easy to switch up.

    Cheese Ball Variations


    • Ranch Cheese Ball: Add ranch dip mix to the cream cheese.
    • Dried Beef: Add some dried beef to the cream cheese mixture for a different flavor!
    • Worcestershire Sauce: Add 1-2 tsps to the cream cheese for a delicious flavor profile.
    • Cranberries: Add some cranberries to the pecans to coat the outside for a little sweetness
    • Everything Bagel: Instead of Pecans roll the cream cheese ball in everything bagel seasoning
    • Bacon: Add bacon to the cream cheese and to the nuts to roll it in.

    What to serve with a cheeseball?

    Cheeseballs are typically served with your favorite crackers but there are so many other options to try!

    • Pretzels or Pretzel Crisps
    • Pita Chips
    • Veggies
    • Toasted Bread like Bagels or Baguette pieces
    • Salami or Prosciutto
    Turkey Cheese Ballclose up
    I love adding a few different types of crackers to dip into this cheeseball!

    How long will cheese balls last?

    A cheese ball will last up to 5 days, stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

    Can cheese balls be frozen?

    If you want to make this appetizer a head of time you can freeze it for up to a month a head of time.

    Mix up the cream cheese and shape into a ball. Freeze before you roll in the pecans.

    Before serving, allow the cheese ball to thaw for at least 24 hrs. in the refrigerator, then roll in pecans and decorate to look like a turkey.

    For more super cute edible Thanksgiving decorations check out these Candy Corn on The Cobs (coming soon!)! You will love them!

    Don't forget to pin this recipe!

    Watch how to make this recipe!

    Want more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

    Turkey Cheese Ball

    Author: Lisa
    This Turkey Cheese Ball is so easy and fun to make, everyone will love it! Not only is shaped like a turkey but it’s tasty too!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Chill Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 oz cream cheese softened
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ cup green onions chopped
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 cup pecan pieces roughly chopped*
    • 2 candy eyes
    • 1 meat stick like a slim Jim, for the neck
    • Pretzel Rods for the tail
    • 1 Oreo for the head
    • 1 piece of candy corn for the beak
    • 2-3 pieces of candy melt or royal icing for adhering the eyes and beak
    • Crackers for eating with the cheese ball

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Coarsely chop your pecans and place on the prepared baking sheet. Toast the pecans in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. They should be fragrant but not burned. Once toasted set aside. *
      1 cup pecan pieces
      toasted pecans
    • In a large bowl (or a kitchen aid mixer bowl), combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese garlic powder, green onions, salt and pepper. Mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer until fully combined.
      16 oz cream cheese, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ cup green onions, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
      mixed cream cheese
    • Layout a sheet of plastic wrap and place cream cheese mixture in the center. Fold the plastic wrap up over the cheese mixture and form into a ball. Place ball still in the plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for 1 hour or until the mixture starts to firm.
      shaping cream cheese into a ball
    • While ball is chilling, melt your candy melts. I recommend taking 2-3 candy melt wafers and microwaving for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir and repeat until melted. Then dab a little on the back of each eye and the candy corn and place on the Oreo. Then place a little on the meat stick and affix the Oreo to it. Set aside until hardened.
      2 candy eyes, 1 meat stick, 1 Oreo, 1 piece of candy corn, 2-3 pieces of candy melt or royal icing
      eyes and nose added to oreo
    • Roll ball in chopped pecans and set on plat or tray you will serve it on. Add pretzel rods as feather. I recommend breaking rods in half and layering taller and shorter ones together. Then place your meat stick with the head attached in the cheese ball as the neck. My meat stick was a little long so I tore a bit off the end to make it shorter.
      Pretzel Rods for the tail
      adding head and neck to cheese ball
    • Serve with crackers and enjoy!
      Crackers
      Turkey Cheese Ballclose up

    Notes

    Tips and Tricks
    • *If you don’t have time or just don’t want to use toasted pecans than you can use regular untoasted pecans!
    • Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an air tight container (like a zip lock baggie) for 3-5 days.
    • Make Ahead: You can save time by making the cheese ball the day before but wait to roll it in the pecans and decorate it until you are ready to serve.
    • Nutritional Info is an estimate and doesn't include the pretzels, meat stick, eyes, nose, face, candy melts, or crackers

    Nutrition

    Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 173mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 494IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 0.3mg
    Keyword turkey cheese ball
    Did you make this recipe?Tag me on Instagram at @atablefullofjoy

    More Thanksgiving

    • mandarin orange salad featured image
      Mandarin Orange Salad
    • Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe feauted image
      Thanksgiving Chicken Recipe
    • Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes featured image
      Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake
    • thanksgiving corn recipe featured image
      Thanksgiving Corn Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Here you will find easy and delicious recipes and helpful posts!

    Trending This Month

    • bad potato held in hand featured image
      How to tell if potatoes are bad?
    • Rice Crispy Treat Featured Image
      Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
    • Chicken tenders featured image
      Best Crispy Chicken Tenders
    • How to tell if brussel sprouts are bad featured image
      How to tell if brussel sprouts are bad?

    Easter Treats

    • bunny cinnamon roll featured image
      Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
    • jalapeno deviled egg featured image
      Jalapeno Deviled Eggs
    • Featured image of Cookie with a bite take out of it
      Carrot Cake Cookies
    • green bean casserole with cream cheese featured image
      Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

    Featured On

    AS seen on Parade, Hearthstone, Yummly, Sam's Club, Congra, Red Tricycle, Chefling App. Foodgawker, Karo

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright Information

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates- coming soon!

    Contact

    • About Me and Contact Info

    As an Amazon Associate, ThermoWorks Affiliate, and a Berkey Water Filtration Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 A Table Full of Joy

    Copyright © 2023 ·ATableFullofJoy.com ·

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT