Turkey Cheese Ball

Making a turkey cheese ball will be a new tradition after you see how fun and easy it is with this recipe. A cute little turkey that everyone will love to eat!

Of course, you can also make one that you don’t decorate but this one is so much fun with the turkey theme for Thanksgiving. Anytime you need a delicious and simple cheeseball recipe you can try out this recipe.

If you want bite-sized cheeseballs that you can serve up for appetizers and more, check out my Healthy Cheese Ball Recipe!

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Why you’ll love this recipe

Cheeseballs are a great holiday treat because they can serve as an appetizer, a side dish, a snack between meals, or a cute edible centerpiece if you are making this Thanksgiving cheese ball with the turkey decor!

I love that it’s such an easy recipe to make. It can be served with more pretzels, chips, crackers, or even fresh veggies. There’s something for everyone that you can circle up around this cute little turkey so each guest can enjoy the tasty treat.

Which WW Program are these points for?

WW has definitely changed from 2020 to now. They went from three to one plan to multiple plans and back to one plan again. So in 2023, we have just plain old “POINTS.”

5 Points per serving

Be sure to calculate the points value of the foods and recipes you eat in the app.
Always add ingredients and serving sizes and don’t rely on the nutrition facts in the recipe.
Accuracy will come from the information you input on the app.

Ingredients for this recipe

Cream cheese: Low fat, softened.
Cheddar cheese: Low fat, shredded.
Pecans: Chopped.
Pretzel: Sticks and rods.
Candy eyes: To decorate.
Candy corn: To decorate.
Royal icing pen: Or a glue gun if not eating this part.

How to make a turkey cheese ball

Step 1: Cream the softened cream cheese in a stand mixer for a few minutes. Add the shredded cheese and mix for 1-2 minutes until fully incorporated.

wrapped and ready for the cooling process.

Step 3: Place the ball in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to firm up.

preparing the turkey decoration for the thanksgiving cheese ball.

Step 5: To make the turkey head, cut/break the pretzel rod in half. Using your royal icing pen or hot glue gun (IF NOT EATING THE PRETZEL ROD) “glue” the eyes onto the top front of the pretzel rod.

Step 6: Place the Candy Corn upside down and glue for the beak.

Step 7: When you are ready to serve, set your cheese ball out for 10-15 minutes to soften. Add your pretzel stick tail feathers to the back of the ball and gently slide the pretzel rod down into the front of the turkey. Surround with crackers and enjoy!

adding in the shredded cheese and shaping the ball.

Step 2: Using your hands, gently form the cheese mixture into a ball. Place the cheese ball in a sheet of plastic wrap (you can continue to shape the ball once you have it wrapped up).

Step 4: Remove the cheese ball from the fridge. Open the plastic wrap and gently roll it in the chopped pecans, fully coating the exterior of the ball. Place back in the sheet of plastic wrap and place it back in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.

Finished thanksgiving cheeseball ready to eat.

Storage suggestions

I’d recommend serving and eating shortly after making it. If you do have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Common Questions

What will I need to make a homemade Thanksgiving cheeseball?

This recipe uses cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, pecans, pretzel sticks, pretzel rods, candy eyes, candy corn, and some royal icing (or hot glue if not eating the decorative part)!

Other Thanksgiving recipes to try

Here are some other appetizers and snacks that are great for the holidays. You can whip these up to add to your meal plans and menu now as you do your planning! Check out all the delicious flavors and variety you can add alongside this Thanksgiving cheese ball recipe.

These Instant Pot Thanksgiving Sides are some great additions to any Thanksgiving table. If you’re on a Weight Watchers plan, you’ll really appreciate these WW Thanksgiving Sides and Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Recipes. If you want to try another cheese ball recipe, this Pumpkin Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe is perfect for fall!

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thanksgiving cheese ball finished and ready to eat.

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