Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe [2022] (Only 10 Minutes)

Do you want to make a quick appetizer? This Dried Beef Cheese Ball comes together in no tiscratchme.

Making your own appetizers allows you to customize the food to your liking.

This quick and easy recipe takes only 10 minutes to prepare and is the perfect combination of creamy and salty. It’s a classic dish to serve when entertaining, and you’ll love how simple it is!

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CHEESE BALLS ARE PERFECT FOR PARTIES

Cheese balls are an excellent addition to any gathering.

My dried beef cheese ball has become a favorite at my house for parties, game nights, and other occasions.

CHIPPED BEEF CHEESE BALL

Because it’s made with dried chipped beef, this cheese ball is heartier than most. It’s so simple to make that even a child can do it. 

This chipped beef cheese ball can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until needed. It’s a great way to spend a rainy afternoon with your kids in the kitchen!

Because the drying process does not leech out the nutrients in the meat, dried beef has more nutritional value than boiled or fried beef. 

B byHowever, not all dried beef is created equal, so shop around for the best brands. You can even make your own if you’re really ambitious.

WHAT IS DRIED BEEF?

Sold in jars in the grocery store’s canned meat section. My favorite brand is Armour.

Dried beef is Dried beef, also known as chipped beef, is pressed, salted, and dried beef cut into thin slices. Because it is extremely salty, 

I soak it in warm water for a few minutes to remove some of the salt.

CHIPPED BEEF CHEESE BALL INGREDIENTS

• Cream cheese – Choose from full fat, reduced fat, or fat-free cream cheese. Just make sure to soften it before beginning to mix it.

• Cheddar Cheese – I like sharp cheddar for this recipe, but use whatever cheese you prefer. For the best flavor, shred your own off the block.

• 5 – Also known as chipped beef, dried beef can be found in the bacon or cured meat section of your local grocery store. Buddig Beef is my favorite brand, but if you can’t find it, Armour is also good. To make it easier to mix, dice it into 1/2-inch cubes.

• Ranch Seasoning – To add some extra flavor, I like to use a little ranch seasoning or dressing mix. If you don’t have any garlic powder or onion powder on hand, use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder instead.

HOW TO MAKE A DRIED BEEF CHEESE BALL?

1. Using a hand or stand mixer, soften the cream cheese and combine it with the shredded cheddar cheese in a large mixing bowl. It will be difficult.

2. Stir in the dried beef and green onions, reserving some of each to coat the cheese ball once it’s formed. Combine the Worcestershire sauce and ranch seasoning in a mixing bowl. To combine, mix everything together.

3. Wrap the mixture in large amounts of plastic wrap. Form the mixture into a ball and tightly wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture is firm.

4. Remove from the plastic wrap when ready to serve. Roll the reserved chipped beef and green onions into a ball. Serve with your preferred crackers.

MAKING THE CHEESE BALL LESS SALTY:

If using dried beef in recipes, the jar recommends soaking it in warm water for about 10 minutes.

This removes some of the salt, preventing your recipe, or in this case, your cheese ball, from becoming overly salty. It will, however, retain its flavor.

After removing the meat from the water, pat it dry to prevent the cheese ball from becoming watery and falling apart.

I’ve also changed some of the traditional ingredients to help reduce the amount of salt in this dish, as too much salt flavor can be overwhelming for some.

HOW TO SERVE?

Serve with your favorite crackers, but my family prefùers wheat thins, multigrain crackers, buttery crackers, or Triscuits with this cheese ball. If you like naan bread, serving it with this  would be delicious.

CAN I FREEZE IT?

The cheese ball can be frozen for up to 3 months. Simply wrap in two layers of plastic wrap and place in the freezer.

Thaw in the refrigerator before serving. Serve with creative crackers or crispy vegetables!

STORAGE TIPS

I keep my cheese ball in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic wrap. If I’m serving the cheese ball within 4 hours, I roll it in chopped pecans and extra dried chipped beef.

If I’m going to serve the cheese ball in 4 hours or so, or the next day, I’ll leave the pecans and dried chipped beef on the outside until I’m ready to serve.

The reason for this is that I find that if the pecans are left on the cheese ball for too long, they become soft.

TAPAS TIPS & TRICKS

• To add texture, mix in all of the beef and onions into the cheese ball before coating the outside with toasted chopped pecans or almonds.

• If you can’t find dried beef or chipped beef in the bacon section of the supermarket, look near the canned meats in a jar.

• Dice or chop the dried beef very finely so that it can be easily mixed into the cheese ball and spread on the crackers when serving.

• If you don’t have ranch seasoning, substitute garlic powder and onion powder.

• Chill the cheese ball for 20 minutes or more after forming it to firm it up before coating.

• To add a fun twist, save some of the mixture and stuff it into some mushrooms!

• If you’re freezing this cheese ball, let it thaw in the fridge before coating just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Other recipes to try:

Easy Chipped Beef Cheese Ball

Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe For Your Next Party

Chipped Beef Cheese Ball