Savory Thanksgiving Cheese Ball Delight
This rich and flavorful cheese ball is the ultimate appetizer for your Thanksgiving celebration! Combining creamy textures with sharp and tangy flavors, this delectable treat is bursting with festivity. Easy to make in just a few minutes using a food processor, the cheese ball requires only a short chilling time to develop its delightful flavors. Perfect for your holiday gathering, it pairs beautifully with crackers, sliced veggies, or even smeared on toasted baguette slices. Once you take a bite, you'll find it hard to stop at just one!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cream Cheese
8 ounces (softened)
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
4 ounces (shredded)
Blue Cheese
2 ounces (crumbled)
Onion
2 tablespoons (grated)
Garlic
1 clove (minced)
Worcestershire Sauce
4 dashes
Green Olives
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can (drained and chopped)
Pecans
1/2 cup (chopped small)
Instructions
1
Begin by placing the cream cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, blue cheese, grated onion, minced garlic, and Worcestershire sauce into a food processor.
2
Pulse the mixture until well blended and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
3
Add the green olives to the mixture and pulse them a few times, leaving them in small chunks for texture.
4
Transfer the cheese mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a spherical ball.
5
Roll the cheese ball in the chopped pecans until fully coated.
6
Wrap the cheese ball tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.
7
Before serving, remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator, unwrap, and place it on a decorative serving platter.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Thanksgiving Cheese Ball Delight?
It is a rich and flavorful appetizer made by combining cream cheese, sharp Cheddar, and blue cheese with savory seasonings and pecans.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
This recipe requires 8 ingredients: cream cheese, sharp Cheddar, blue cheese, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, green olives, and pecans.
What types of cheese are used in this cheese ball?
The recipe uses three types of cheese: cream cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, and crumbled blue cheese.
Do I need a food processor to make this recipe?
Yes, a food processor is used to pulse the cheeses and seasonings together until they are well blended and creamy.
How long does the cheese ball need to chill?
The cheese ball should be refrigerated for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld together and the structure to firm up.
What is used to coat the outside of the cheese ball?
The cheese ball is rolled in 1/2 cup of small chopped pecans until fully coated.
How do I prepare the cream cheese for the recipe?
The cream cheese should be softened before placing it in the food processor for easier blending.
How are the green olives incorporated into the mixture?
After blending the cheeses, you add the drained and chopped green olives and pulse a few times to keep them in small chunks for texture.
What should I serve with the Savory Thanksgiving Cheese Ball?
It pairs beautifully with crackers, sliced vegetables, or toasted baguette slices.
How do I shape the cheese into a ball?
Transfer the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and use the wrap to help shape it into a spherical ball.
What kind of onion is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of grated onion.
Is the garlic fresh or dried?
The recipe calls for 1 clove of minced garlic, which provides a fresh and pungent flavor.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, since it requires at least 4 hours of chilling, it is an excellent make-ahead appetizer for holiday gatherings.
How much sharp Cheddar cheese is needed?
You will need 4 ounces of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese.
Does the cheese ball have a tangy flavor?
Yes, the combination of blue cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and green olives creates a sharp and tangy flavor profile.
How much blue cheese is included?
The recipe uses 2 ounces of crumbled blue cheese.
What is the purpose of the Worcestershire sauce?
The 4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce add a savory depth and umami to the cheese mixture.
Can I use different nuts if I don't like pecans?
While the recipe calls for pecans, you could substitute them with chopped walnuts or almonds if preferred.
How should the cheese ball be stored?
Keep the cheese ball tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
Is this a good recipe for Thanksgiving?
Yes, it is specifically described as the ultimate festive appetizer for a Thanksgiving celebration.
What size can of green olives is needed?
The recipe uses one 2 1/4 ounce can of green olives.
Do I need to shred the Cheddar cheese?
Yes, the instructions specify using 4 ounces of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese.
How do I prevent lumps in the cheese ball?
Pulse the cheese and seasonings in the food processor until the mixture is perfectly well blended and creamy.
Should I remove the cheese ball from the fridge right before serving?
Yes, remove it from the refrigerator, unwrap it, and place it on a decorative platter just before you are ready to serve.
Is this cheese ball spicy?
No, it is savory and tangy rather than spicy, making it suitable for most guests.
Can I serve this on a baguette?
Yes, it is excellent when smeared on toasted baguette slices.
What texture do the olives provide?
By pulsing them only a few times, they remain in small chunks, providing a pleasant textural contrast to the creamy cheese.
Is the onion finely chopped or grated?
The onion should be grated to ensure it blends smoothly into the cheese mixture.
How many servings does this make?
While the exact serving count is not specified, a cheese ball of this size typically serves a medium-sized party gathering.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, the recipe is described as an easy-to-make dish that only takes a few minutes using a food processor.