Turkey Cheese Ball
A festive, creamy cheese ball shaped like a turkey, decorated with colorful vegetables and nuts, perfect for holiday gatherings and parties.
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 150kcal
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture Ingredients
- 2 packages 8-oz. packages cream cheese, softened
- 4 Tbsp. butter, softened
- 6 oz. goat cheese
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/3 cup freshly chopped chives
- 3/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
- 1 sprig thyme, stem removed, plus more for serving
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Decoration Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups pecan halves, toasted, divided
- Red and yellow bell peppers for decoration
- Orange and white carrots, julienned for decoration
- Pretzels for turkey tail
- Crackers for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- In a food processor, combine the cream cheese, butter, goat cheese, and garlic powder. Pulse until this blend is smooth and creamy.
- Add the chives, parsley, and thyme leaves, pulsing a few more times until everything is well combined. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- With your hands, mold the mixture into a large ball.
Chilling and Coating
- Pulse 3/4 cups of pecan halves in a food processor until finely chopped.
- Roll the cheese ball in the pecan crumbs to create a crunchy exterior.
- Allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to set up properly.
Decoration
- Create the turkey's tail using pretzels, pretzel sticks, and multi-colored julienned carrots, placing them artistically in the back.
- Slice the carrots into feet, use a large red bell pepper triangle for the turkey’s face, and secure it with a toothpick.
- Add a smaller yellow bell pepper triangle as a beak and use carrot slices shaped as eyes. Place pecan halves on the sides for wings.
Serving
- Present your stunning cheese ball turkey on a vibrant platter alongside an array of crackers.
- Enjoy the creamy richness enveloped in crunchy pecans with a seasonal twist of freshness from the herbs.
Notes
You can prepare this ahead of time by making it a day in advance but decorate right before serving. Consider healthier alternatives like low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt for a lighter version.