Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that takes just minutes to prepare? This Dried Beef Cheese Ball recipe combines creamy cheese with savory dried beef for an irresistible party favorite. Unlike store-bought versions, this homemade cheese ball delivers bold flavors and can be customized to your taste. With only five simple ingredients and no cooking required, it’s perfect for holiday gatherings, game days, or any time you need an impressive appetizer fast!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and easy: Just 5 ingredients and minimal prep for a fuss-free appetizer
- Bold flavors: Tangy cream cheese, savory dried beef, and umami-rich Worcestershire sauce
- Customizable: Add shredded cheddar, chipotle powder, or your favorite mix-ins
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare up to 3 days in advance for stress-free entertaining
Ingredients
- Cream cheese – Forms the creamy base that holds all ingredients together
- Dried beef – Provides savory, salty flavor and meaty texture throughout
- Green onions – Adds fresh, mild onion flavor and colorful specks
- Worcestershire sauce – Enhances umami flavors and adds complexity
- Black pepper – Provides subtle heat and balances the richness
You can add shredded cheddar cheese, chipotle powder, or whatever you like. Be inventive!
How to Make a Dried Beef Cheese Ball
- Chop the dried beef into small pieces.
- Place a softened block of cream cheese, Worcestershire Sauce, green onion, and one-third of the dried beef. Add black pepper if desired.
- Stir to combine thoroughly. You can use an electric hand mixer if desired.
- Shape the mixture into a ball.
- Coat the ball with the dried beef pieces.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball until serving.
- For the best flavor, set it out about 30 minutes before serving it to soften.
Dried Beef Cheese Ball is a low-carb and keto-friendly appetizer that can be served with celery, baby bell peppers, or low-carb crackers.
Classic dried beef cheese ball variations
This is a good basic recipe, but here are some customizations you might enjoy.
- Dried beef cheese ball with horseradish: You may want to add a teaspoon of prepared horseradish to the cream cheese.
- Dried beef cheese ball with ranch dressing – I recommend adding a teaspoon or two of dry Ranch dressing mix to the cream cheese for a flavor boost.
- Chopped pecans or other chopped nuts – if you have someone who is vegetarian, omit the beef, and roll the cheese ball in chopped nuts.
What should you serve with a homemade cheese ball?
These cheese balls enhance holiday parties, game nights, and homemade charcuterie platters. If you have them in your refrigerator, you can easily put together a wonderful snack plate.
Homemade cheese balls can be served with various crackers, such as Ritz Crackers, Wheat Thin Crackers, Club Crackers, Triscuits, Water Crackers, or your favorite party crackers.
I have also served these with homemade crostini or toasted baguette slices.
You may want to serve freshly cut veggies like carrots or celery with your homemade goodness.
Storage instructions
- Avoid freezing, as the texture may become grainy upon thawing.
- Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days before or after serving.
- For the best flavor and texture, let the cheese ball soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
More Cheesy Appetizers
- French Onion Cheese Ball
- Melted Cheese Fondue
- The Best Rotel Dip
- Wisconsin Cheese Bites
- Swiss Cheese Bacon Dip
- Liptauer Recipe
- Skillet Queso
- Best White Queso
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Dried Beef Cheese Ball – Easy Party Appetizer
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4.5 ounces dried beef AKA chipped beef
- 1 bunch green onions chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Allow the cream cheese to reach room temperature.
- Chop the dried beef into small pieces.
- Ina bowl, combine the cream cheese, Worcestershire Sauce, green onion, andone-third of the dried beef. Add black pepper if desired.
- Shape into a ball, and coat with the dried beef pieces. Chill until needed.
- Set out about 30 minutes before serving time to soften.
We have this every Christmas Eve. But we omit onions, add horse radish and roll it into a “Lincoln Log”. That way it’s easy to slice with a cracker or knife.
I always find the chipped beef to be very salty, am I the only one??
I sometimes rinse it off with water and pat it dry before I use it .
I’ve used this recipe for years. I add chopped pecans to the cream cheese and roll in more pecans rather than the chopped beef. Omit the chopped beef that you would roll it in and it shouldn’t taste so salty.
I have been making this for years. But I use all of the dried beef in the cheese ball, then I roll the ball in finely chopped pecans. Yum!
So much better than what you buy in the store.