Amaze your family and friends with this Thanksgiving Turkey Bread Bowl Appetizer with Creamy Spinach Ranch Dip. He's super easy to recreate, and Mr. Tom Turkey's tail feathers play double duty as the dippers. What could be more fun?
This Thanksgiving Turkey Bread Bowl Appetizer with Creamy Spinach Ranch Dip is a fun starter to get the festivities off on the right foot. For other tasty appetizers check out these Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Bites, Pumpkin Crescent Pinwheel Appetizers, French Onion Crostini, and Parmesan Onion Squares.
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Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment:
- Why this recipe works?
- Can this be made in advance?
- What to do with the bread that is removed to make the bread bowl?
- How to prevent the bread bowl from slipping around on the platter?
- Tips and tricks for making a Turkey Bread Bowl Appetizer:
- Tail feather tips and tricks:
- How to transport a turkey bread bowl?
- The easy instructions:
- Additional recipes I know you'll enjoy:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredient list:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
- Cream Cheese
- Diced Pimentos
- Mayonnaise
- Shallots
- Scallions
- Frozen Spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- Prepared Horseradish Sauce
- Dry Ranch Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper
- Bread Bowl (from the bakery section of the supermarket)
- Cloves
- Carrots
- Red Bell Pepper
- Assorted vegetables, breadsticks, and pretzels for the tail feathers (get creative)
Kitchen tools and equipment:
- Chef's Knife
- Serrated Knife
- Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Vegetable Peeler
- Skewers or toothpicks (to attach the wings)
- Spatula
- Large Spoon
- Serving Platter
Why this recipe works?
What you'll love about this turkey bread bowl appetizer, besides how festive and cute he is, is how yummy the spinach ranch dip is. After all, how can you go wrong with cream cheese, pimentos, spinach, horseradish, and shallots?
You simply can't.
Of course, if you'd like to alter the ingredients for the dip, I encourage you to play around with your favorite flavors.
As long as the texture of the dip remains a bit firm and not too soft (so the dippers stand up and don't fall over), you'll be ready to show off your tail feathers in a big way. 🙂
Can this be made in advance?
I can recommend making only the dip in advance. The flavor will actually improve if it sits in the fridge for a couple of days before serving.
However, the assembling of the turkey bread bowl should be done the day you're serving so the bread doesn't get soggy and the vegetables remain fresh and firm.
Remember, nobody likes droopy tail feathers!
What to do with the bread that is removed to make the bread bowl?
Save it!!
You can use it as a dipper for this particular appetizer, or you can freeze it and use it another time for making bread crumbs, croutons, etc.
How to prevent the bread bowl from slipping around on the platter?
Add a medium-sized dollop of dip onto the platter itself and then press the bread bowl onto the dip.
The dip will act as glue and keep the bread bowl from skidding around the platter.
Tips and tricks for making a Turkey Bread Bowl Appetizer:
- Feel free to make the dip a day or two in advance of when you're going to serve the turkey bowl.
- Keep it in a covered container in the fridge until you're ready to assemble.
- Make sure to mark the container with a note, so nobody sneaks in and eats the dip while you're not looking.
- This dip is seriously so good that I don't want you to be shocked when you go to assemble your turkey bread bowl, and you find that your family has eaten all the dip, unbeknownst to you! 😉
Tail feather tips and tricks:
- When choosing (and inserting) the tail feathers, always go for eye-catching colors and textures, and remember to place the tallest feathers in the back, and then work the smaller feather ingredients into the front.
- Feel free to play around with your favorite dippers. You can easily go with all pretzels and breadsticks, or you can go with all the vegetables.
- Just make sure that your ingredients vary in size, and when you insert them into the dip that you splay them outwards, like a fan.
How to transport a turkey bread bowl?
- If you're planning on transporting your turkey bread bowl appetizer already assembled, make sure to place him on a serving platter, and then find a box that is only slightly larger than the platter dimensions, so he won't slide from side to side while being transported. But, make sure the box is still tall enough to protect the tail feathers.
- Or, you can bring all the components to your destination and then assemble him on-site. Of course, the wow factor won't be the same as arriving with him already assembled, but if you're putting him together on-site, then maybe this can become a fun project for your family and friends to do together. Either way, you and your family and friends will be very Thankful when you see (and eat) the results!
The easy instructions:
- Prepare the long carrot sticks and celery ribs by washing, peeling, and slicing.
- Thaw, and thoroughly squeeze and drain 1 bag of frozen spinach.
- In a medium bowl, add cream cheese, drained pimentos, mayonnaise, minced shallots, sliced scallions, one package of dry ranch dressing and dip, prepared horseradish, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until creamy.
- Stir the drained and dried spinach into the cream cheese mixture until thoroughly mixed.
- At this point, you can refrigerate the dip until you're ready to prepare the turkey bread bowl.
- To prepare the turkey, use a round, rustic loaf of bread. I used a store-bought boule (found in the bakery section).
- Use a serrated knife to evenly slice the top off the bread and then hallow the loaf by picking out the interior of the bread, leaving only a bread bowl. *Note - the pieces of bread that have been removed can be used as dippers, or save and use for stuffing, bread crumbs, or meatballs.
- Freezing the bread pieces can also be done.
- Do NOT discard the top that you've sliced off as that will be used to make the wings and head of the turkey.
- Wash, seed, and slice a red bell pepper.
- Once your tail feathers are prepared (breadsticks and pretzel rods too), you're ready to begin assembling the turkey.
- Mound the chilled spinach ranch dip into the turkey bread bowl.
- Determine which side will the tail end and begin inserting the "feathers" making sure to start with the longest items in the back and work your way forward with the shorter items.
- When you're adding the "feathers" make sure to splay them as a fan.
- Using the top of the loaf that was sliced off, cut two shapes to resemble his wings.
- Use toothpicks to attach the turkey wings to his body.
- Once the wings are in place cut a long, rounded piece to resemble his neck and head.
- Attach it using toothpicks and insert a small bit of carrot for the beak, and two whole cloves for the eyes.
- The final step is to trim the toothpicks with scissors.
- Place the turkey on a large serving platter and surround him with additional types of dippers (veggies, pretzels, breadsticks, and crackers).
- Serve and ENJOY!
Additional recipes I know you'll enjoy:
Here's another party appetizer that will wow your friends and family! This recipe for Gruyere Cheese Fondue is the best! It's creamy and rich with just the right amount of white wine and a splash of nutty amaretto to keep things extra flavorful.
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
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Printable Recipe Card
Turkey Bread Bowl Appetizer with Creamy Spinach Ranch Dip
Ingredients
For the dip:
- 2 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons diced pimentos
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 3 tablespoons minced scallions white and green parts
- 1 bag (14-16 ounces) frozen cut leaf spinach thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 tablespoon prepared ground horseradish
- 1 package dry ranch dressing and dip
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the turkey body;
- 1 round rustic bread loaf. I used a boule
- 2 whole cloves eyes
- 1 small carrot triangle beak
Suggestions for feathers;
- long carrot sticks peeled and sliced approximately 6"
- long celery ribs cleaned and sliced approximately 6"
- pretzel rods
- breadsticks
- red pepper slices
- green onions not shown
- asparagus not shown
- string cheeses not shown
- string beans not shown
Instructions
To prepare the dip:
- Prepare the dip by blending all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble the turkey bread bowl.
To assemble the turkey bread bowl:
- Use a serrated knife to remove the top from the round bread loaf. Do NOT discard the top.
- Hollow out the bread bowl by removing the soft bread interior and reserve those pieces for dippers, or another use altogether. Those bread pieces may be frozen if desired.
- Mound the chilled dip into the bread bowl and insert the prepared tail feathers, into the dip, remembering to put the largest ones in the back and work forward with the smaller feathers.
- Using a knife or scissors, fashion two wings, and one long neck and head out of the reserved top of the bread.
- Use toothpicks to attach the head and wings onto the bread bowl.
- Insert two cloves for eyes, and a small carrot triangle into the bread head.
- Trim the toothpicks with scissors (reminding guests to be careful).
- Place the turkey onto a platter and surround him with additional dippers of your choice: crackers, chips, veggies, breadsticks, pretzel rods, etc.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's Showstopper Thanksgiving Turkey Bread Bowl Appetizer as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Allison says
Thanks for all the step by step photos. Here's hoping mine comes out as cute as yours. Haha!
Nellie Tracy says
Such a fun idea! Love it!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This is really amazing! So cute but very easy to make!
Lindsay Cotter says
This is such a fun and creative appetizer idea! It's perfect for Thanksgiving!
Renée says
He is very fun, Lindsay! Glad you like him! Thanks.
Dini says
This is such a fun idea, and the spinach ranch dip sounds delicious too! A great starter to a meal and a conversation! 🙂
Renée says
He definitely IS a conversation starter. Thanks, Dini!
Britni says
This is very creative and something my kids would love to help me in the kitchen with.
Renée says
The kids would have a blast helping to make this!
Cindy says
Why stop at Thanksgiving, i'm thinking Christmas parties too! Thanks for this recipe 🙂
Renée says
Good point, Cindy!!! LOL You're welcome!
Britni says
Love this idea and the step by step instructions! Can't wait to try it for Thanksgiving this year!
Renée says
Glad you find the step by step photos helpful. Enjoy the recipe. I know your family and friends will love it!!
Daisy says
Hi there! I just made this for Thanksgiving a few days ago and it was a hit. I didn't use the pretzels but it looked just fine. Thanks for the idea!
http://www.WhatsMyKidListeningTo.com
Renée says
I'm glad you made it your way! That's perfectly fine with me! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Homemade Food Junkie says
Amazing appetizer. I wish you were coming to our house. Such style!
Natalie Dicks says
So cute! Love this idea!!
Renée says
Thank you so much, Natalie!
amindfullmom says
Absolutely adorable! And I love your Thanksgiving apron! Did you catch that I am finally able to have my apron show up the correct way on facebook?
Renée says
Thank you so much! Nnd no, I haven't had the opportunity to see your apron in another video yet. That makes me very happy!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
You literally make some of the BEST bread shapes ever!! I need your talent! You're amazing!
Renée says
You are so sweet, Angie! Thank you!
Katerina @ Diethood says
I absolutely LOVE this!! It is awesome!
Renée says
Thanks so much, Katerina! 🙂
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Your presentation is awesome! This is truly showstopper!
Renée says
Thanks, Megan!
Cookin Canuck says
Very cute idea! I'll bet this would be a hit at any Thanksgiving get-together.
Renée says
Thank you so much!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wow, that is about the coolest thing EVER! I LOVE this, my kids would have a blast helping me put it together!
Renée says
Your kids would certainly have a blast helping to put him together! I'll bet they'd snack on it a lot too 🙂
Sharon @What The Fork says
What a creative recipe this is! I love your pictures and how it came out. Truly a crowd pleaser!
Renée says
Thanks so much, Sharon!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Renee, this is adorable! A turkey I can actually eat 😉
Renée says
This one's for you, Kacey!!
Back for Seconds says
Well, aren't you just the queen of thanksgiving?! Love this!
Renée says
HaHaHa! I'll take it. Thanks 🙂
Karly says
Well, I'm stating the obvious when I say it doesn't get much cuter than this! So much fun and so tasty, too!
Renée says
LOL. Thank you so much, Karly! I appreciate it!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons says
This is the cutest little turkey appetizer! Loving it!
Renée says
Thank you so much, Jenn!