If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s bursting with bold flavors and creamy goodness, the Chipped Beef Cheese Ball Recipe is your new go-to. This delightful cheese ball cleverly combines salty, dried chipped beef with tangy cream cheese and sharp white cheddar to create a perfect balance of savory and smooth that’s just irresistible. Whether you’re gearing up for Christmas, New Year’s, or a lively game day gathering, this recipe is quick to whip up, easy to customize, and guaranteed to have your guests reaching for more crackers to scoop every last bit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Chipped Beef Cheese Ball Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in crafting that luscious texture and savory depth. From the creamy base to the zesty green onions and sharp cheese, every component brings something special to the party.
- Cream Cheese (16 ounces): Full fat and softened to room temperature for a rich, smooth base that will hold everything together perfectly.
- Worcestershire Sauce (1 Tablespoon): Adds a subtle tang and a little umami punch that elevates the flavor complexity.
- Ground Black Pepper (½ teaspoon): Offers just the right amount of gentle heat without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Garlic Powder (¼ teaspoon): Brings a mellow garlic aroma that weaves flavor throughout the ball.
- Onion Powder (¼ teaspoon): Enhances the savory profile with a hint of sweet onion flavor.
- Dried Beef (5 ounces): Finely diced salty dried beef is the star ingredient that gives this cheese ball its distinctive taste.
- Green Onions (4 tops): Finely diced for a fresh, crisp bite and a pop of vibrant green color.
- Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (1 ½ cups): Shredded, it adds a punch of sharpness and a delightful cheesiness that balances the creamy texture.
How to Make Chipped Beef Cheese Ball Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Cream Cheese and Seasonings
Start by placing the softened cream cheese into a large bowl. This is your creamy canvas that will blend wonderfully with everything else. Add the Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to the bowl. Grab an electric mixer and whip these together until perfectly smooth and well combined. You want a silky base that’s loaded with flavor in every bite.
Step 2: Incorporate Diced Beef, Onions, and Cheese
Next, fold in about three-quarters of the finely diced dried beef, green onions, and shredded sharp cheddar. The reserved portions will be used later to garnish the outside, adding both texture and visual appeal. Stir everything well so all the flavors meld together beautifully inside your mixture.
Step 3: Shape and Chill the Cheese Ball
Lay down a large sheet of plastic wrap on your countertop and spoon the cheese mixture onto it. Using the plastic wrap, carefully wrap around and shape the mixture into a smooth, round ball with your hands. This method keeps it neat and helps the ball hold its shape. Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator and chill it for at least two hours—it’s this wait that allows all the flavors to mingle and firm up perfectly.
Step 4: Coat the Cheese Ball and Prepare to Serve
Once chilled, mix together the remaining dried beef and shredded cheddar on a medium plate. Unwrap your cheese ball and press this mixture all around its surface. Sprinkle the last bit of chopped green onions on top for a fresh splash of color. Now your cheese ball is ready to shine at the center of your serving platter, surrounded by an array of your favorite crackers.
How to Serve Chipped Beef Cheese Ball Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your cheese ball with the reserved beef, cheddar, and green onions not only adds a beautiful textural contrast but also amps up the savory flavor hits in every bite. A sprinkle of extra finely chopped green onions or even a pinch of smoked paprika can create a lovely finishing touch to impress your guests.
Side Dishes
While the cheese ball is the star, pairing it with a variety of crackers—think buttery water crackers, warm pita chips, or crunchy multigrain options—creates the perfect canvas for scooping. Fresh veggies like celery sticks, crisp cucumber slices, or colorful bell pepper strips also make great complements for a healthier crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, serve your Chipped Beef Cheese Ball on a wooden board or a colorful ceramic platter surrounded by crackers and veggies in a circular pattern. You can place small bowls of olives, nuts, or pickles alongside to round out the spread. Another idea is to shape smaller individual cheese balls for a charming, more personalized appetizer experience at larger gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chipped Beef Cheese Ball can be stored covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Make sure it’s well wrapped or sealed in an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the cheese ball by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Freeze for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Keep in mind that the texture might change slightly, but the flavors will still be delicious.
Reheating
This cheese ball is meant to be enjoyed chilled, so reheating isn’t recommended. For best flavor and texture, serve it cold right from the fridge. If you want a softer consistency, allowing it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving helps with easy spreading.
FAQs
What is chipped beef, and where can I find it?
Chipped beef is dried, salted beef that’s thinly sliced and usually sold in small packages. It’s commonly found in the refrigerated section near specialty meats or deli products at most grocery stores and sometimes in the canned meats aisle.
Can I substitute the sharp cheddar for another cheese?
Absolutely! While sharp white cheddar adds that classic tang, you can experiment with smoked gouda, Monterey jack, or even a spicy pepper jack to give your cheese ball a different flavor profile.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The cheese ball itself is naturally gluten-free, but you’ll want to double-check your Worcestershire sauce and crackers to ensure they don’t contain gluten if serving to people with sensitivities.
How long does it take to prepare the cheese ball?
Active prep takes about 5 minutes thanks to the simple mixing process, but you’ll need to chill it in the fridge for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld and the cheese ball firm up.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?
This classic recipe relies heavily on dairy for its creamy texture and rich taste, so making it dairy-free or vegan would require specialty ingredients like vegan cream cheese alternatives and plant-based cheeses, which may alter the traditional flavor.
Final Thoughts
I can’t encourage you enough to try this Chipped Beef Cheese Ball Recipe at your next gathering. It’s such a quick, no-fuss appetizer that never fails to wow! The mix of savory dried beef, creamy cheese, and just the right seasonings makes it a party favorite that feels both comforting and festive. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder how you ever hosted without it.
Print
Chipped Beef Cheese Ball Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 to 16 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chipped Beef Cheese Ball combines salty dried beef with tangy cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese for a deliciously savory appetizer. Perfect for festive occasions like Christmas, New Year’s, or game day, this cheese ball pairs wonderfully with crackers and is easy to prepare in just minutes before chilling.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese (2 packages of 8 ounces each), softened to room temperature, full fat
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 5 ounces dried beef (2 packages of 2.5 ounces each), finely diced
- 4 green onion tops, finely diced
- 1 ½ cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Add the softened cream cheese to a large bowl. Add Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Use an electric mixer to blend everything well until smooth.
- Add Beef, Onions, and Cheese: Stir in ¾ of the finely diced dried beef, ¾ of the finely diced green onions, and ¾ of the shredded cheddar cheese until well combined. Reserve the remaining beef, onions, and cheese for coating the cheese ball.
- Form the Cheese Ball: Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on your counter. Spoon the cream cheese mixture onto the plastic wrap. Wrap tightly around the cheese mixture using the plastic wrap and mold it into a smooth ball shape using your hands.
- Chill the Cheese Ball: Refrigerate the wrapped cheese ball for at least two hours to allow it to firm up.
- Prepare Coating: In a medium plate, combine the remaining dried beef and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Coat the Cheese Ball: Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and place it on the plate with the beef and cheese mixture. Press the beef and cheese evenly onto the entire surface of the cheese ball.
- Garnish and Serve: Place the cheese ball on a serving dish and sprinkle the remaining diced green onions over the top. Arrange crackers around the cheese ball and serve.
- Enjoy and Feedback: Please leave a rating and comment sharing your experience to help support and improve future recipes.
Notes
- Store the cheese ball covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Allow ample chilling time for the best texture and easier coating.
- Serve with your favorite crackers or sliced vegetables for variety.
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