French Onion Cheese Ball

Meat lovers are sure to enjoy this appetizer with dried beef and bacon. Making cheese balls at home means customizing your cheese ball with flavors you enjoy the best. When made fresh, you can enjoy your cheese ball any way you like with this recipe.

French onion cheese ball and crackers on a platter.


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Cheese ball with onion soup mix

Cheese balls are a popular party food that often becomes the centerpiece of gatherings, even when there are plenty of other appetizers to choose from.

There’s a delightful essence to the creamy, tangy cheese when combined with ingredients that enhance its flavor. This particular recipe is unique because it includes both dried beef and bacon! The best part is that this recipe has a short ingredient list and is super easy to make.

What makes this French Onion Cheese ball the perfect addition to your next party

What better way to awaken your appetite than dipping into a delicious sphere of seasoned cheese and meat? This cheese ball is a great way to impress your guests.

It has simple yet indulgent flavors that everyone can appreciate – a rich flavor with hints of beef, bacon, and shredded cheese. Whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner party or a more laid-back family gathering, this starter is a surefire hit.

The secret ingredient here is the French onion soup mix, which adds an incredibly savory taste. Lipton’s dry mix contains hints of onions, soy sauce, and salt, which gives it a deep umami flavor. When you mix this into the cream cheese, it is simply irresistible!

Why you’ll love this recipe

You’ll adore this easy cheese ball recipe with Lipton onion soup mix. This appetizer is both easy to make and packed with flavor. Minimal preparation is required – all you need to do is chop the dried meat before mixing everything together.

Also, don’t worry about measuring out a plethora of different seasonings – Lipton’s French Onion Soup Dry Mix makes this recipe a breeze. With the appetizer out of the way, you can focus on preparing other party foods.

It takes only 20 minutes to prepare this bacon cheese ball, but I recommend that you plan ahead and give it time to set before serving.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe. Everything is commonly available in grocery stores. The exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.

  • Cream cheese
  • Lipton’s French Onion Soup Dry Mix
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Dried beef
  • Bacon Bits
French onion cheese ball ingredients on parchment paper.

How to make a French onion cheese ball

  1. Chop the beef into small pieces.
  2. Mix together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, the dry onion soup mix, and chopped dried beef in a large bowl.
  3. Roll the cream cheese mixture into a ball.
  4. Roll the ball into the bacon bits.
  5. For best results, refrigerate for several hours or overnight before serving.
Collage of making French onion cheese ball.

Recipe variations

Cheese balls are so simple to customize. Here are some ideas:

  • Cheese – Use sharp Cheddar cheese, Gruyere, or Swiss cheese
  • Bacon – Instead of bacon, roll it in nuts such as chopped almonds or pecans. You can also roll it in olives or crushed crispy fried onions.
  • Herbs and Spices – Add some chopped fresh thyme for freshness or red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.

What to serve with this chipped beef cheeseball with onion soup mix

Serve this delicious cheese ball on a platter with chips, homemade crackers, or pretzels. Fresh vegetables are also a good pairing since they’re crisp and taste incredible with the soft cheese – think celery, carrots, radishes, or even cucumbers.

You can also smear any leftovers on bagels, toasted baguette slices, wraps, or sandwiches!

French onion cheese ball, pretzels, and crackers on a platter.

How to store the leftovers

To properly store the cheese ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and put it in a large gallon-sized bag. You can store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use. The most important thing is that you entirely enclose it so it isn’t exposed to air, which can dry it out!

How long does it last?

In the fridge, this cheese ball lasts for 3-5 days, which is why it is so convenient for parties. You can make it ahead of time and have it ready to go!

If you freeze it, it will last approximately 3-4 weeks. Make sure to entirely thaw it before enjoying it. A day before you plan to eat it, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator.

French onion cheese ball with pretzels and crackers next to it.

Love cheese balls? Try these recipes!

More cheesy appetizer recipes

Check out more of my easy appetizer recipes and the best recipes for game day on CopyKat!

French onion cheese ball and crackers on a platter.

French Onion Cheese Ball

You can make a delicious cheese ball for your next gathering.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese ball recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 199kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 package Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Recipe Soup & Dip Mix
  • 4 ounces dried beef finely chopped
  • 4 ounces prepackaged cooked bacon bits

Instructions

  • Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion soup mix, and chopped dried beef in a medium bowl. Mix well.
  • Roll the mixture into a ball, and then roll the ball in the bacon bits.
  • Refrigerate overnight before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 767mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 0.5mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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