Dried Beef Cheese Ball
This classic Party Appetizer is super easy to make and always a hit! Learn how to make this Dried Beef Cheese Ball. Plus tips for mixing, forming, serving and freezing!
I’ve been making this Dried Beef CheeseBall for many, many years. It’s always a favorite in our house and anytime I take it to a party or potluck. With only 5 ingredients {plus nuts if you like them}, the Cheese Ball goes together in a flash and also makes a great gift!
How Do You Make a Cheese Ball
Making a Cheese Ball takes only 5 ingredients and about 10 minutes of time.
Ingredients:
- Cream Cheese – you will need 2 (8 oz) blocks – be sure they are softened
- Dried Beef – 2 packages – you can also use pastrami but I think beef is best
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Green Onions
Mixing:
- I found it easiest to use my KitchenAid stand mixer, but you could also use a hand mixer or mix by hand.
- Be sure that the cream cheese is softened quite a bit, it will make the cheese ball smoother and easier to mix.
- Add all ingredients together and mix until smooth and well combined
Forming a cheese ball:
There are a few options for forming, be sure the mixture is chilled before forming, it makes it easier.
- Lay plastic wrap on the counter, add the mixture and then using the plastic wrap, form the cheese ball.
- You can also divide the cheese ball in half to make smaller cheeseballs
- Or you can divide it into small pieces and form mini cheeseballs.
Coating and Flavor Options:
We like to leave our cheese ball plain. But you can add a variety of coatings.
Cheese Ball Coatings:
- Nuts – finely chopped, form the cheese ball then roll it in the nuts
- Chives, finely chopped
- Sesame Seeds – black and/or white
Cheese Ball Flavors:
- Bacon and Jalapeno
- Cheddar
- Blue Cheese
- Cranberries
Now it’s time to serve or store the Cheese Ball.
Serving:
Any type of crackers or veggies that you like will work for the cheese ball. The flavor of the cheese ball will determine what you serve with it.
Crackers:
- Club Crackers
- Appetizer Crackers
- Townhouse Crackers
- Flavored like Italian Herb
- Crostini
- Mini Bagels
- Pretzels
- Pita Chips
Veggies or Fruit:
- Apple and Pear slices go well with a cheddar cheese ball
- Celery
- Carrots
Freezing:
Freezing the Cheese Ball makes it super easy to plan ahead for the holidays or other occasion.
To prepare them ahead for the freezer, follow the recipe below and simply wrap them in plastic wrap then place in freezer safe bag. If you are adding a coating like nuts, add that before serving.
The day of the party, just take them out of the freezer in the morning or the night before and place them in the fridge, be sure to allow at least 8 hours to thaw.
Serve with your favorite crackers for a delicious party appetizer!
Planning a party? You may also like these Appetizer Recipes!
Click on the photo for the recipe.
Dried Beef Cheese Ball
This easy to make Dried Beef Cheese Ball is perfect for parties, potlucks and more!
Ingredients
- 2 packages (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
- 2 packages of thinly sliced meat, pastrami or beef works best
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 3-4 green onions, chopped finely
Instructions
- Place cream cheese in a large bowl and gently stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until slightly creamy
- Cut meat and green onion into small pieces
- Add to cream cheese
- Add salt and Worcestershire Sauce
- Mix well, chill for ease in forming
- Place plastic wrap on counter
- Add cheese ball mixture and form one large ball or divide in half for two smaller cheese balls
- You can also roll in chopped nuts if you want
- Chill at least 4 hours or overnight before serving
- Serve with crackers of your choice
Notes
To freeze - wrap cheese ball - uncoated with nuts or chives - in plastic wrap and then add to resealable freezer bag. Place in freezer for up to 1 month.
Thaw in refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0g
I save a little of the dried beef back for after done rolling into a ball I roll it in the leftover dried beef pieces to coat the outside of the cheese ball to make it more decorated inatead of nuts.
That’s a good idea Machelle. Thanks for sharing!
-Liz
How long can i keep a Cheeseball in the freezer?
The cheese ball will keep at least a month in the freezer.
-Liz
I have made a version of this cheeseball, many times. I have never frozen it. Won’t the green onions get soggy and loose the crisp texture when frozen? To the poster above I too use the canned dried beef, so good! Thanks so much.
I used canned dried beef GREAT !!!!!
I love your cheeseball recipe, will have to try this holiday season. We make our cheeseballs into logs, so that people are not digging at them. I usually slice up one or two logs and put the others on a platter, then people can slice off as many as they like. It keeps it from looking messy at the end of the party. We also use parsley on the platter to make it look pretty.
That’s a great idea Marie! Thanks for sharing!
YUM Liz!
I’m a new cheeseball lover 😉 I love this recipe and thanks for sharing how to freeze it, too.
Great idea! I’ve never frozen a cheese ball before, but that would be super convenient.