Cheese Ball Recipe With Dried Beef and Cheddar

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Nothing says holiday party like this classic Chipped Beef Cheese Ball! This easy-to-make recipe with creamy, smooth cream cheese, sharp cheddar, salty dried beef, tangy ranch seasoning, and savory Worcestershire is perfect for putting out at a gathering with buttery crackers for everyone to enjoy!

If you'd rather skip my essential cooking tips and tricks and get straight to this delicious recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

DRIED BEEF CHEESE BALL

The holiday season lends itself to many events where a cheese ball is the perfect appetizer.

While it's not an overly fancy dish, it's one that everybody loves. I remember enjoying them at Christmas parties, potlucks, and various gatherings as a kid.

Cheese balls have recently made a comeback and it seems that everybody has their go-to cheese ball recipe. Some are naked, some are covered with pecans, and some are covered with almonds.

And while you can certainly buy a cheese ball at the store, it's never as good as one that is freshly homemade.

Chipped beef cheese ball is an easy-to-make classic recipe. This old school dish is filled with traditional ingredients of cream cheese, dried beef, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.

This creamy and meaty holiday appetizer is a nostalgic recipe that is sure to be a hit at your holiday gathering.

While you can serve this cheese ball with any cracker you like, light buttery crackers are the best! Prior to serving, allow the cheese ball to sit out on the counter for a bit so it's spreadable.

You know it's ready when it's not quite soft enough to dig your crackers into without them breaking. When ready, don't forget to set out a couple of knives so people are able to dig in and enjoy!

Usually served with crackers, celery and carrot sticks taste AMAZING with this spread. The crisp veggies offer a nice crunch to the smooth, creamy texture and are a healthier, low-carb option for your guests.

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labeled picture of cheese ball ingredients

CHIPPED BEEF CHEESE BALL INGREDIENTS

cream cheese
dried beef
cheddar cheese
Worcestershire sauce
ranch seasoning
green onion

Cream Cheese – You can use full fat, reduced fat, or fat free cream cheese. Just be sure to soften it before you start to mix it.

Cheddar Cheese – I like sharp cheddar for this recipe but use your favorite. It's best to shred your own off the block for better flavor.

Dried Beef – Also called chipped beef, you can find it in the bacon or cured meat section of your local grocery store. My favorite brand is Buddig Beef but if you can't find that, Armour is great too. Dice it into small, 1/2 inch pieces for easier mixing.

Ranch Seasoning – I like to use a little ranch seasoning or dressing mix as it has some extra flavor. If you don't have any on hand, use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.

cream cheese and cheddar in a bowl — combine cream cheese and cheddar

HOW TO MAKE A DRIED BEEF CHEESE BALL

ONE: Soften the cream cheese and combine it with the shredded cheddar cheese in a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer. It will be stiff.

TWO: Add the finely chopped dried beef and green onions, reserving some of each for coating the cheese ball once it's formed. Add the Worcestershire sauce and ranch seasoning. Mix to combine.

THREE: Place the mixture in a large piece of plastic wrap. Form the mixture into a ball and wrap tightly. Chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes or until firm.

FOUR: When ready to serve, remove from the plastic wrap. Roll in the reserved chipped beef and green onions. Serve with your favorite crackers.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

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WHAT IS CHIPPED BEEF?

Chipped beef, otherwise known as dried beef, is sections of meat that are thinly sliced, pressed, and cured with smoking or salting methods as a means to dry out the meat.

Usually cut into thin round or rectangular sections that are about the size of a saltine cracker.

Chipped beef can be found near the bacon or canned tuna section of the grocer, in flash sealed pouches.

HOW LONG DOES A CHEESE BALL LAST IN THE REFRIGERATOR?

Once a cheeseball is made, it will last 3 days in the refrigerator. After that it will start to get loose and won't hold together as well.

CAN I FREEZE IT?

You can freeze the cheese ball for up to 3 months. Just wrap tightly in plastic wrap (2 layers) and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before ready to serve. Serve with fun crackers or crispy veggies!

Check out the basics for making a classic cheese ball. Then you try all my savory and sweet cheese balls!

TAPAS TIPS & TRICKS

For more texture, incorporate all the beef and onions into the cheese ball and then coat the outside with toasted chopped pecans or almonds.
If you can't find the dried beef or chipped beef in the bacon section of the grocery store, sometimes you can find it near the canned meats in a jar.
Dice or chop the dried beef very small so it's easier to mix into the cheese ball and easier to spread on the crackers when serving.
If you don't have ranch seasoning, feel free to substitute a combination of garlic powder and onion powder.
Chill the cheese ball after forming it for 20 minutes or more to firm it up before coating.
For a fun twist, you can reserve part of the mixture and stuff it in some mushrooms!
If you are freezing this cheese ball, thaw in the refrigerator and then coat just before serving.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the "tried it" button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

cheese ball with text "chipped beef vintage recipe"

This classic and easy cheeseball with chipped beef is budget friendly, feeds a crowd, and is ready in 30 minutes. This delicious, quick, and easy appetizer is going to be a hit at your next holiday gathering!

MORE EASY APPETIZERS

Corned Beef Sliders
Chipped Beef Dip
Beef Empanadas
Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Reuben Cheese Ball

Ingredients

16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 ounces dried beef (diced fine)
2 green onions (sliced thin)
1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese.
Add in the dried beef, green onions, Worcestershire, and ranch seasoning.
Mix to combine.
Form into a ball and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
Chill for 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove from the plastic wrap and coat in remaining dried beef and green onions.
Serve with your favorite crackers.
Enjoy!

Notes

*If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave me a comment and rate it 5 stars. Thank you!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 Serving Size: 2 ounces
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 234 Total Fat: 20g Saturated Fat: 11g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 6g Cholesterol: 70mg Sodium: 736mg Carbohydrates: 4g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 3g Protein: 11g

This nutrition information was generated via a third party. I can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.

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Cheese Ball Recipe With Dried Beef and Cheddar

Source: https://www.taketwotapas.com/dried-beef-cheese-ball/

Betts Skeethe