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You’ll love the creamy texture and meaty flavors of this Dried Beef Cheese Ball with chipped dried beef! It’s the perfect appetizer for game days, your next party, or holiday gatherings.

For more homemade cheese balls try this Classic Cheese Ball or these Mini Cheeseball Bites.

A cheeseball with a portion taken out of it to see the middle.

Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe (Chipped Beef Cheese Ball)

Are you a huge fan of appetizers? Then you must try this cream cheese ball! It’s a creamy mixture of cream cheese, cheese, dried seasonings, green onions, and salty beef! It has the best flavor and is best served with a variety of crackers and fresh veggie sticks.

I love serving this cheese ball alongside some of my Crockpot Jelly Meatballs, Ham and Pickle Roll Ups, and these Antipasto Skewers with Tortellini.

Overhead photo of a cheeseball covered in dried beef.

Ingredients Needed To Make The Best Cheese Ball

Cream Cheese : It’s best to use a block of cream cheese (to room temperature) to ensure that the cream cheese mixture is smoothly mixed. It’s best to let the cream cheese sit out at room temperature for 2 hours before making the recipe. Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese : I prefer to shred the cheese from a block but if you want to save time, or are short on time, then buy a bag of shredded cheese and use that instead.
Worcestershire Sauce
Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Dried Parsley, Dried Dill : These are the dried seasonings that add tons of flavor. We use dried seasonings because they’re so easy and convenient. No high price tag of fresh herbs needed!
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
Green Onions
Dried Beef : You will find the chopped dried beef near the other cured/dried meats at the store. You will also find it in a little jar in the canned meat aisle or try using the Buddig Beef in the refrigerated deli meat section. The recipe calls for 2 ounces of dried beef inside the cheeseball as well as 2 ounces of dried beef for rolling the cheeseball in.

How To Make This Classic Appetizer (Holiday Appetizer Idea)

In a large bowl, using a spatula or electric hand mixer, mix the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese until well combined.

Add in the Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried dill, kosher salt, and pepper. Mix to combine.

Process images for this chipped beef cheeseball appetizer recipe.

Gently stir in the green onions and dried beef into the cream cheese mixture and mix thoroughly until combined.

Prepare a flat surface with a piece of plastic wrap. Then dump the contents of the bowl onto the plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to help form the cheeseball. Wrap tightly with the plastic wrap (Saran Wrap) and place it in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

Once chilled, remove the plastic wrap from the ball and roll it in a shallow dish filled with additional dried beef and chopped green onions to coat the outside of the cheese ball. Gently press them into the cheeseball if needed to secure the toppings.

Place the cheeseball on a serving tray along with your favorite crackers or veggies. Enjoy!

Can I Make A Cheese Ball Ahead of Time? How To Store Leftovers

You can keep this cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks by wrapping the cheese ball tightly in both plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Although, I recommend serving the cheese ball within 24 hours of making it for the best serving result.

But yes, making cheese balls ahead of time is always a great idea! Wrap it well in the plastic wrap and foil and keep it in the fridge for 24 hours to 48 hours before serving for best results.

Substitution Ideas

Cheese : Instead of cheddar cheese use your favorite variety of cheese or try using two different types! Pepper Jack, Colby jack, Monterey Jack, Parmesan cheese, are all great options.
Chives : Instead of green onions try using freshly chopped chives.

Overhead shot of the cream cheese appetizer with some of it on a cracker.

What To Serve With a Cheese Ball

Cheeseballs are best served with an assortment of crackers such as Ritz crackers (plain, everything, garlic & herb, etc), pretzels, Triscuits, Club crackers, gluten-free nut crackers, Wheat Thins, pita chips, naan bread dippers, table crackers variety pack, or really your favorite type of crackers will be delicious! All you need is something to put the cheese ball onto, to eat it. So pick your favorites and lay them out around the cheese ball on the serving platter, and it will be an easy appetizer for this holiday season that’s always a crowd pleaser.

Fresh crispy vegetable sticks are another great serving option – carrot sticks, celery sticks, or cucumber slices.

Overhead shot of the serving platter with a cheeseball and crackers.

Tips For Making A Chipped Beef Cheeseball

Mixing Tip : If the cream cheese is well softened then it’s easily mixed with a rubber spatula. If it’s still chilled or straight-from-the-fridge, use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer in order to mix it well until no lumps remain.
Use Full Fat Cream Cheese : For the best thick & creamy texture I highly recommend using full-fat cream cheese only when making a cheese ball. I also recommend using the name brand cream cheese, Philadelphia, as it tastes so much better than the generic store brands.
Small Pieces : Chop the green onion into small pieces, about the same size as the chipped dried beef. Depending on what dried beef you use, you may have to chop it up smaller to make sure it’s in small pieces.

Dried Beef Cheese Ball (Chipped Beef Cheeseball)