Turkey Cheeseball Board
This Turkey Cheeseball Board is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving Day spread. It's great to make ahead of time for easier entertaining and your guests will keep coming back for more!
Servings: 16
Calories: 90kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound mini sweet peppers divided
- 3 ounces cooked bacon pieces regular or turkey
- 8 ounces regular or light cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 2 green onions finely diced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 black olives
- 1 candy corn
- 6-8 green leaf lettuce leaves
- 1 sliced cucumber (or 3 mini cucumbers)
- 2 sourdough look pretzels
- Wheat Crackers
Instructions
- Finely dice 1/3 cup of the peppers, using all 3 colors. With the remaining peppers, halve and remove the membrane and seeds.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine diced peppers, turkey bacon, cream cheese, cheddar, onion and seasonings. Mix until well combined using a hand mixer.
- Divide the cheeseball into 2 balls, 1 smaller than the other. Place each ball in plastic wrap. Enclose and mold into 2 balls.
- On a serving platter, create the "turkey feathers" with a fanned out layer of green leafy lettuce with stacks of the halved peppers on top.
- Place the large ball at the base of the board and the smaller ball on top of the larger ball. Fill between the peppers with cucumber slices and around the cheeseball with crackers.
- Create the turkey body features with olives for the eyes, candy corn for the beak, a piece of curly lettuce leaf for the gobbler on the smaller ball, and pretzels for the legs on the larger ball.
- Add a spreader serving utensil as well as additional dippers or board accents as desired.
Video
Notes
Tips and Substitutions
- Ensure Cream Cheese is Softened: Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature before mixing. Softened cream cheese ensures a smooth and creamy texture for the cheeseball.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to customize the cheeseball by adding herbs, spices, or even a hint of heat with crushed red pepper flakes.
- Get the Kids Involved: This is a fantastic project for the little ones. Let them help shape the cheeseball and decorate the turkey.
- Prepare in Advance: Save time on the big day by making the cheeseball a day ahead. This allows the flavors to meld, and you'll have one less thing to worry about as you prepare the rest of the feast.
- Shape Creatively: Besides a cute turkey, you can form the cheeseball into a traditional round shape or more seasonal shapes like a pumpkin or pinecone. Accent a pinecone shape with sliced almonds and a pumpkin with a bell pepper stem for the pumpkin stem.
- Refrigerate Before Serving: Allow the cheeseball to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight before serving. Chilling helps the flavors meld, and it allows the cheeseball to firm up for easier handling.
- Healthier Options: Opt for reduced-fat cream cheese and cheddar cheese for a lighter version.
- Gluten-Free Dippers: If serving gluten-free guests, provide gluten-free crackers, rice crackers, or vegetable sticks for dipping. Ensure there's not cross contamination with other gluten-containing items.
- Add Texture with Nuts: Use finely chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, for coating the cheeseball. This adds a delightful crunch and complements the creamy interior.
Nutrition
Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 163mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1476IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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