Turkey Cheese Ball

This Thanksgiving turkey cheeseball is loaded with flavor and easy to make. Turkey cheeseball is the perfect appetizer to serve on Thanksgiving with all your favorite dippers to impress your guests.

If you love making Turkey shaped recipes, like I do. You should try our Turkey Pancakes for breakfast or Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board. Another appetizer this holiday is this Baked Brie in Puff Pastry.

Ingredients

• Cream Cheese – Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to easily combine the ingredients 
• Cheddar Cheese – Substitute with sharp cheddar cheese if you prefer
• Cheddar Cheese Block – Cut a Small Corner for the nose
• Ranch Dip Mix – You can also use Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe
• Garlic Powder – See The Best Garlic Powder Substitute
• Bacon – Cooked and crumbled
• For the Turkey Tail Feathers and Face – Large Pretzels, mini pretzels, stick pretzels and candy eyes

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make Turkey Cheese Ball

Step 1 – In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, ranch dip mix and garlic powder. Mix with a electric mixer or a stand mixer until creamy and smooth. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and ⅓ cup chopped bacon.  

Step 2 – Remove approximately ¼ cup of the mixture from the bowl and set aside.  Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap.  Place the mixture into the center of the plastic wrap.  Wrap the plastic wrap around the mixture and roll the ball shape. 

Step 3 – Then roll both of the cheese balls in the remaining chopped bacon. Coat the outside of the cheese balls with bacon.

Step 4 – Use a pretzel rod to secure the smaller ball. This secures it to the large cheese ball for the turkey head. 

Step 5 – Place the candy eyes and the corner of the cheddar cheese block on the front of the small cheese ball. This forms the turkey’s face and turkey beak. 

Step 6 – Use the large pretzels, mini pretzels and pretzel sticks to make the tail of the turkey ball. Place toward the back of the large cheese ball to make the turkey feathers.

Step 7 – Refrigerate until ready to serve. Then serve with your favorite crackers on a large platter.  Enjoy! 

Recipe Tips

• Softened Cream Cheese – We recommend starting this cheese with softened cream cheese. This helps to mix the ingredients together in a medium bowl.
• Combining Ingredients – We recommend using a hand held mixer or stand mixer to ensure all the ingredients are combined.
• Shredded Cheese – Shred the cheese from hunk cheese for best results. There is no added ingredients in hunk cheese.
• Chill Cream Cheese Mixture – Make sure all mixture to chill in the fridge for at least an hour to harden.

Variation Ideas

• Seasoning – Feel free to change the seasoning to what you prefer. You can easily add in salt, parsley, or worcestershire sauce.
• Vegetables – To change the decorations of the cheese ball. You can add in red bell pepper, onion, yellow bell pepper and green onions.
• Bacon Bits – Instead of cooking bacon, you can substitute with bacon bits.
• Nuts – Feel free to add in nuts such as pecan halves, chopped pecans or walnuts.
• Candy Corn – You can use candy corn to make the turkey faces as a substitute.

What to Serve with Turkey Cheese Ball?

Serve this Thanksgiving Turkey cheese ball with all your favorite dippers on a serving plate.

• Ritz Crackers
• Club Crackers
• Pretzels
• Raw Vegetables
• Tortilla Chips

How to Store Leftovers

Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.