Turkey Cheese Ball

What’s a great way to make your Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving event a little more festive this year?

T H I S    T U R K E Y    C H E E S E B A L L.

Seriously though, this cheese ball:

1. Can be made the night before, to save you time the day of the event.
2. Only requires 1 bowl, so you don’t have to add any extra dishes to your sink that’s already stacked high with dirty dishes due to Friendsgiving/ Thanksgiving prep.
   • Check out my Ultimate Friendsgiving Guide here.
3. Can be customized for a vegetarian (or just lighter!) option:
   1. Replace turkey jerky with ritz crackers
   2. Replace bacon with pretzel rods

Preparing the cheese ball mixture

1. Begin by whipping the cream cheese for about 3 minutes using a hand mixer.
2. Add the remaining cheese ball ingredients to the whipped cream cheese and mix to combine.
3. Transfer the mixture to a large piece of cling wrap. Form in the shape of a ball.

Decorating

1. Melt 1 chocolate morsel on a microwave-safe dish for 3 seconds.
2. Place the 2 candy eyes, 1 candy corn, and 1 pretzel rod on the chocolate morsel.
3. Insert the pretzel rod into the cheese ball mixture.
4. Insert the bacon strips into the back of the turkey ball.
5. Cover remaining sections with turkey jerky.

Turkey Cheese Ball

How to make a turkey cheese ball tray with a variety of cheese and bacon. This recipe is the perfect festive Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving appetizer.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer
• Spatula
• Plastic wrap

Ingredients

  

Cheese ball

• 16 oz Cream cheese whipped, room temp
• 1/4 cup Pimentos diced
• 1/4 cup Gruyere cheese finely shredded
• 1/4 cup Asiago cheese finely shredded
• 1/4 cup Sharp chedder cheese finely shredded
• 1/4 cup Parmasean cheese grated
• 1/4 cup Bacon diced
• 1/4 cup Green onions white parts
• 1/2 tsp Garlic salt
• 2 tbsp Oregano

Turkey Decorations

• 1 Pretzel rod
• 2 Candy eyes
• 1 Candy corn
• 1 Chocolate morsel
• 4 strips Bacon
• Turkey jerky* to cover
• Crackers to serve

Instructions

 

Prepare cheese ball toppings

• Cook bacon according to package instructions. Let it cool completely (The bacon is also used to prepare the cheese ball mixture below).
• Melt the cholcate morsel on a microwave-safe dish for 3 seconds. This will melt the chocolate just enough to add the candy eyes, candy corn (nose), and pretzel rod (neck).

Prepare cheese ball mixture

• Whip the cream cheese using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer (this makes it easier for your guests to dig in)
• Add the remaining cheese ball ingredients (don't include turkey decorations) and mix using a wooden spoon
• Transfer the mixture to plastic wrap. Once completely covered, form into a ball.

Decorate

• Insert the pretzel rod into the cheese ball. Then add the bacon. Finally, cover the rest of the cheese ball with turkey jerky.

Notes

* You can substitute turkey jerky with pepperoni.

Keyword Cheese Ball, Thanksgiving, Turkey