Cheese Ball Recipe
This Cheese Ball Recipe is an absolute must in our home during the Holidays. With only 5 ingredients – cream cheese, thinly sliced packaged meat, green onions, salt and Worcestershire Sauce – this Cheese Ball goes together in a snap!
Welcome to Day 79 of the 100 Days of Homemade Holiday Inspiration! Each day we will be inspiring you with recipes, decorating ideas, crafts, homemade gift ideas and much more!
Do you have a recipe that is the most requested from your family?
This Cheese Ball Recipe is the one for me. There isn’t a holiday or really even a simple get together go by that my boys don’t ask for this Cheese Ball.
Recently I made Spinach Dip and told the boys to come and grab a snack of one of their favorites, and immediately they thought it was the cheese ball. Now they also love the spinach dip, but they were expecting the cheese ball. It will be on the menu from now on, for sure.
Cheese Ball Recipe
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
- Salt – I used to use Accent Salt, but recently have been leaving the salt out completely, and I think it’s just as good.
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 cheese balls
- Or you can divide it into small pieces and form mini cheese balls.
Our family likes this Cheese Ball without any coating, but you can certainly add a variety of coatings if you like.
Cheese Ball Coatings:
- Nuts – finely chopped Pecans or Walnuts, form the cheese ball then roll it in the nuts
- Chives, finely chopped
- Sesame Seeds – black and/or white
This Cheese Ball Recipe also makes a great gift. Here are some ideas to give it as gifts –
- Divide the cheese ball into mini balls, then add crackers to a jar, the wrapped cheese balls on top, and tie on a small knife for spreading.
- Creating a gift basket is easy and fun. Add crackers, vegetables and a cheese ball to a tray or basket for a fun gift.
- Place the cheese ball in the center of a plate, then surround it with crackers. Wrap in plastic and tie with a ribbon for an easy gift.
Cheese Ball – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze the cheese ball?
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.
What else can I serve with the cheese ball besides crackers?
Here are some ideas we like –
- Crostini
- Mini Bagels
- Pretzels
- Pita Chips
- Apple and Pear slices go well with a cheddar cheese ball
- Celery
- Carrots
How long will the cheese ball last?
If you have leftovers, be sure to store it in an airtight container or wrap it with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Can I make the cheese ball ahead?
Yes, you can certainly it ahead of time. Just wrap it in plastic wrap, and place in an airtight container. Then store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Can I mix the cheese ball by hand?
Mixing by hand is fine. Be sure the cheese cream is super soft before beginning to mix. Use a heavy wooden spoon and a strong arm to be sure it’s well blended.
Follow along with the 100 Days of Homemade Holiday Inspiration for more simple recipes, easy crafts, homemade gift ideas, decorating tips and much more!
Cheese Ball Recipe
Perfect for a holiday gift or to serve as an appetizer, this Christmas Cheese Ball from HoosierHomemade.com is a must have on your holiday baking list.
Ingredients
- 2 packages (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
- 2 packages of thinly sliced meat, beef works best
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 3-4 green onions, chopped finely
- 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt, optional
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together and form into ball.
- You can roll in chopped nuts if you want.
- Serve with crackers or vegetables
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 47Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 39mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 4g
Looking for more holiday appetizers? Click on the photo for the recipe
I make a cream cheese and olive mix then stuff some red and green peppers and refrig. when ready slice. All the Christmas colors look so pretty on a plate.
Made this recipe for Thanksgiving, it got devoured! I had to remake it Friday night to actually get some! Deeee-licious!!!
Thrilled you liked it Kyleigh! Thanks for letting us know!
-Liz
I add chopped green olives. So good.
Amazing and crowd favorite. This is my family tradition Christmas recipe also. It never lasts very long. Hint: try using the dried beef in the little glass jars. It’s Wonderful.
Thanks for the tip!
Sorry but 2 teaspoons of salt was WAY too salty for me. To the point that it almost was that salty burn that happens on your tongue when something is too salty. I really wish I would have trusted my instinct that it was too much. I have had a similar ingredient cheese ball but didn’t have the recipe handy when I was at the store so I Googled and found this one. I know it will taste better after I add another block of cream cheese, but just a warning to some, they might want to slowly salt and taste before adding more.
Sorry you had trouble Sandra. Did you use Accent salt or regular Salt?
~Liz
Why not use Accent/MSG. it is not the same as salt. MSG is an amino acid. Salt is a mineral.
The MSG controversy has long been debunked. You may have heard the term Umami recently. That is the taste sensation made possible from Glutamic Acid.
You should give it a try, you don’t know what you are missing, and how it could really bring out the flavor of this cheese ball.
Hi Liz, I was just wondering where Tina got this recipe from? My mother has been making this exact same cheeseball from this exact recipe for as long as I can remember. I honestly thought it was my mother’s recipe that she made on her own. Please let me know. Thanks a lot!
Liz
I’m sorry, I have no idea where Tina got the recipe for the cheeseball.
My neighbor makes this cheeseball with sliced up ham and for the seasoned salt, she uses Tobasco Salt. It is AWESOME!!!
That sounds amazing Jamie! My hubby and boys would love that recipe, thanks for sharing!
~Liz
Cheeseballs are the ultimate holiday appetizer. Can’t get better than one all pretty and colorful for the holidays!
It can’t be Christmas without a cheeses ball ot two or three. Yours looks and sounds delicious. I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings…Mary
I make a similar cheeseball to this. I omit the salt and substitute pepperoni for the meats and add 2 tsp of Italian Seasoning and finely chopped green pepper.
Thanks for sharing Carrie! That sounds like a yummy idea, I bet my pepperoni lovin’ boys would be excited if I made it.
Merry Christmas!
I agree. Leave the salt out! I used smoked ham, and there was plenty of salt from the ham to flavor the cream cheese. Also, parm cheese works great as a salt substitute too.
I have so many weeknesses and cheese balls are one of them. I can never make one and have it around the house – it has to be going to a party or something because I can eat the whole thing. I love anything with cream cheese in it. Great Foodie Friday share.
I make Christmas Candy every year
Peppermint Bark
Broken Glass
Holly
brandy chocolate covered cherries
chocolate covered pretzels
peanut butter fudge
Oreo Truffles
Yum! Brandy chocolate covered cherries…heaven!!
Thanks for sharing Kathy! Merry Christmas!
I have a similar recipe, but I use dried beef in a jar, add a small can of crushed pineapple (drained if you want a ball, some of the liquid if you’re going for more of a dip consistency), use a small red onion finely chopped instead of the green onion. My recipe calls for Accent too but I never use it (there’s enough salt in the dried beef). If I make a ball I roll it in finely chopped walnuts.
It’s a staple in our house, we have to have it every Christmas!
Sounds yummy Donna…thanks for sharing!
Merry Christmas!
Your cheese ball looks yummy!
Hope to see you next week for the Holly Bloggy Christmas. The recipe party will be at my blog next Thursday!
Thanks Jerri! I plan on it, I mentioned it on Facebook today, hopefully I won’t forget 😉
~Liz