How To Make A Chipped Beef Cheese Ball (Easy And Quick)

Don’t let the name scare you! Quick and easy chipped beef cheese balls are delicious, easy to make, and can be a great addition to any party spread or appetizer plate.

Cheese Ball with Dried Beef Ingredients

Have you ever eaten one of those amazing cheeseballs at a party that were perfectly salty and savory. They have that tasty chipped beef all over the outside and little green onions speckled through the center.

If you have, you will definitely remember because they are so dang tasty. It makes them unforgettable. These cheese balls are so simple to make with just 5 ingredients!

• Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
• Dried Beef (also called chipped beef)
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Green Onions, minced
• Garlic Powder

Easy Appetizer

I’ve been looking for this dried beef cheeseball recipe for a while now. I was going though my list of favorite appetizers, and there’s just so many great options. As it turns out this beef cheese ball recipe makes the perfect appetizer.

Holiday Appetizers

• Mexicorn Crack Dip – Mexicorn Dip with Rotel Recipe (With Easy Measurements)
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• Pineapple Cheese Ball with Pecans – An Old Fashioned Cheese Ball Recipe
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• Simple Black Bean Dip – A Black Bean Dip With 3 Ingredients
• Dill Pickle Wraps

I thought about all these different options, but I just couldn’t get this amazing cheeseball with dried beef and onions out of my mind. So, I renewed my search, and low and behold, I found it right here in my Waynesburg Christian Church Cook Book.

How to Make a Chipped Beef Cheese Ball

Step by Step Instructions

1. Dice chipped beef into small squares. Set aside 1/2 of chopped beef for the outside of the cheeseball.
2. Using a electric mixer, hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the cream cheese until smooth in a large bowl.
3. Add half of the dried beef, minced green onions, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder; mix until well combines.
4. Roll out a big rectangle of plastic wrap. Sprinkle the remaining half of dried beef so that it is spread out in a large circle in the center of the plastic wrap.
5. Scoop out the cream cheese mixture into the center of the beef.
6. Use the plastic wrap to help shape the mixture into a ball with the beef coating on the outside.
7. Wrap tightly with the plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator. It tastes best if made a minimum of 12 to 24 hours ahead of time.
8. Serve with Ritz crackers, Triscuits, Club crackers, veggies, pita chips, pretzels or pretzel thins or bagel chips.

Storage Instructions

Wrap tightly in plastic wrap (two layers) or wrap once in plastic wrap and place in an airtight zip-lock bag. Store in the fridge for up to a week. If the cheeseball has been at room temperature for more than 4 hours or if many people have eaten from it, toss the leftovers to prevent foodborne illness.

Recipe Variations

• Omit green onions completely, if desired.
• Try coating the outside in a combination of dried beef and finely minced green onion.
• Substitute onion powder for green onions.
• Add shredded cheddar cheese to the chipped beef cheese ball recipe.
• Chopped nuts such as pecans are also a classic addition. Stir into the cream cheese mixture or roll the cheese ball in the chopped pecans to serve.
• Omit Worcestershire sauce if desired. If you do this, you might need to add a little milk to thin out the cream cheese mixture.
• Instead of forming it into a ball, place in a small baking dish and serve with a small spreader to smear on crackers.
• Use full-fat cream cheese or low fat blocks of cream cheese.

Recipe FAQs

• I have used both the chipped beef that comes in a jar on the shelf at the grocery store and the Buddig beef packets that are found in the refrigerated section. The canned version tends to be a little saltier but both are delicious.
• This beef and onion cheeseball tastes best if made at least 24 hours in advance. This allows the flavors to marinate.
• Let the cheeseball sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving so that it becomes spreadable.

How long does a cheese ball stay good in the refrigerator?

A cheese ball typically stays good in the refrigerator for about 1-2 weeks. Be sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness. However, if you’ve set your cheese ball out at room temperature for a pitch-in, holiday gathering or party, I would highly recommend that you dispose of the leftovers instead of eating them.

One general rule of thumb is that food does not sit out at room temperature for more than 4 hours; however, if many people have went through the food line and potentially contaminated the cheeseball during the serving process, don’t risk it, just toss it in the garbage bin.

What can you substitute for chipped beef?

You can substitute chipped beef with cooked and crumbled bacon, diced ham, or smoked turkey slices for a similar flavor and texture.

Can I freeze a cheese ball?

Yes, a cheese ball can be frozen. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before placing it in an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. When ready to use, thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.

How long does it take to thaw a cheese ball?

Thawing a cheese ball in the refrigerator usually takes about 4-6 hours. For a quicker thaw, you can leave it at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

Should cheese balls be served at room temperature?

Yes, cheese balls are best served at room temperature to allow the flavors to fully develop and for easier spreading. Let it sit out for about 30 minutes before serving.

Is chipped beef and dried beef the same thing?

Yes, chipped beef and dried beef are the same thing. “Chipped beef” is a term often used in the United States, while “dried beef” is more commonly used in other English-speaking countries. Both refer to beef that has been salt-cured and air-dried.

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