A chipped beef cheese ball is always a favorite appetizer at the holiday parties. This chipped beef cheeseball contains Worcestershire sauce, green peppers, dried chipped beef as well as cheddar cheese and finely diced red onion.
This is my version of a chipped beef cheeseball. It has the classic ingredients of cream cheese, dried beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and green pepper but I have switched it up with the addition of diced purple onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped toasted pecans.
If you are a fan of dried beef you will want to check out my recipes for chipped beef on toast, as well as my chipped beef dip recipe. Also, this chipped beef cheeseball would be a great addition for any cheeseboard but I would be sure to make a smaller ball if you are going to add it to a cheeseboard. Another easy appetizer is the vintage pineapple cheese ball or my Bisquick sausage balls.
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Surrounding this cheese ball is a combination of chopped pecans and extra chipped beef. This recipe is great for a crowd or can be divided into smaller portions for individual cheese balls.
Chipped Beef Cheese Ball Ingredients:
- Worcestershire sauce
- garlic powder
- cream cheese, softened
- dried beef, minced
- red onion, finely minced
- green bell pepper, finely chopped
- cheddar cheese, shredded
- pecans, chopped
What kind of crackers goes with a chipped beef cheese ball?
My family is a fan of wheat thins or a multigrain cracker when we serve this chipped beef cheese ball. Another delicious option is Triscuit. We recently discovered Rye with Caraway Seeds Triscuits and they are pretty good with this cheese ball. If you are a fan of naan bread, it would also be yummy with this cheeseball.
Tip from reader Tammie:
Armor dried beef comes in a tiny jar, and it is usually found in the canned meat aisle; however, if you live in a small town as I do, there is another option. I buy Buddig smoked, chopped, pressed beef. This is located where the sandwich meats are. The biggest bag available is 2 oz (at my grocery store), so I buy 3 packages. I have found that if they are made to far in advance the pecans tend to get soft because they absorb the moisture from the ingredients. I, also, do not press the remaining pecans and chipped beef to the outside right before serving (or as close to serving as possible). This is a delicious recipe, my family has made it for years.
More of the best cheeseball recipes:
- Pineapple Cheeseball Recipe – Whenever we would have a holiday party or needed a cheese ball for a special occasion my mom would make this pineapple cheese ball recipe.
- Cream Cheese Sausage Balls – This recipe for cream cheese sausage balls is a tender and delicious appetizer, perfect for holiday parties or game day snacking.
- Bisquick® sausage cheese balls – These bite-sized sausage balls are a classic holiday appetizer that often makes an appearance as a football food in my house.
Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
It is possible to freeze this cheeseball but I found that because cream cheese is the main ingredient when the cheese ball defrosts the texture is more gritty and separated instead of creamy in texture. I found it best to not freeze the cheese ball and make it up to a day ahead of time if you are needing to make it ahead of time.
I store my cheese ball wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. If I am going to serve the cheese ball within 4 hours, I roll it in the chopped pecan pieces and extra dried chipped beef. If I am going to be serving the cheeseball after 4 hours, or so, or the next day, I will wait until I am ready to serve to add the pecans and dried chipped beef on the outside.
The reason for this is that I feel the pecans become soft if they are on the cheese ball for too long.
I like to use my chipped beef cheeseball up within 3-4 days. Any longer than that and I feel that the vegetables in the cheeseball will start to release their moisture and make the cheese ball watery. You may have a different experience but this is what I have found to be true.
Make sure the cream cheese is room temperature.
Finely dice the onion and green pepper. Smaller is better.
Chill the cheese ball, wrapped in plastic wrap, in the fridge for at least an hour before pressing the pecans and extra dried chipped beef. It will be easier to handle.
For smaller cheese balls, divide the cheese ball mixture in half and make 2 smaller cheese balls.
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Printable Recipe:
Chipped Beef Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 packages dried beef minced (3 ounce each)
- 1/2 cups red onion finely minced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups pecans chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder.
- Set aside 1/4 cup of minced dried beef.
- Fold in the remaining minced dried beef, finely minced red onion, finely chopped green bell pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup of the chopped pecans.
- To form the cheese ball, lay out a large piece of plastic wrap.
- Scoop the cheese ball mixture onto the plastic wrap and use the plastic wrap to gather the cheese ball into a round ball.
- Chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour before coating the cheeseball with the remaining pecans and dried beef.
- To coat the cheeseball, combine 1/4 of the minced dried beef with the remaining pecans.
- Hold the cheeseball in one hand and press the pecan, dried beef mixture into the outside of the cheese ball.
- Serve with crackers of your choice.
Video
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is room temperature.
- Finely dice the onion and green pepper. Smaller is better.
- Chill the cheese ball, wrapped in plastic wrap, in the fridge for at least an hour before pressing the pecans and extra dried chipped beef. It will be easier to handle.
- For smaller cheese balls, divide the cheese ball mixture in half and make 2 smaller cheese balls.
Nutrition
published March 24, 2019
Sarah Mock
CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger
Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 12 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
Linda says
I love the combination of chipped beef, cheddar cheese and the cream cheese. And that is one big cheese ball! I think I’ll make this for the games this weekend and I bet there won’t be a speck left when everyone gets done.
Jenn says
Well hello there new favorite cheese ball ever!!! This is so party-perfect!
Noelle says
This was great for the dinner party I had, total hit. Went great with many types of crackers
Mary says
I’ve been making a dried beef cheese ball for years. I don’t use green peppers, I use green onions and garlic. I rinse the dried beef to get some of the saltiness off, then dry thoroughly on paper towels, love this cheese ball rolled in chopped pecans.
Sarah says
Mary,
I have never thought of rinsing the dried beef! A great options for those who are looking to lower sodium version. Thanks for sharing your tip!
Sarah
Laura says
What is chipped beef? Is it jerky?
Janice says
What is the size of the dried beef?
Sarah says
Thanks for the question Janice. I use the 3 ounce bags, 2 of them. I will adjust the recipe card. Enjoy!
Tammie says
Armour dried beef comes in a tiny jar, and it is usually found in the canned meat isle; however if you live in a small town, like I do, there is another option. I buy Buddig smoked, chopped, pressed beef. This is located where the sandwich meats are. The biggest bag available is 2 oz (at my grocery store), so I buy 3 packages. I Have found that if the is made to far in advance the pecans tend to get soft because they absorb the moisture from the ingredients. I do not like the soft pecans so only make 1 day in advance. I, also, do not pressed the remaining pecans and chipped beef to the outside right before serving (or as close to serving as possible. This is a delicious recipe, my family has made it for years.
Sarah says
Tammie:
thank you so much for your tip! I appreciate your feedback. I am going to add it to the main post so everyone can benefit.
Happy new year! Sarah