It's not a party without a cheese ball.

Published on November 2, 2025

Credit:

Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth

Total Time:

4 hrs 15 mins

Never lose a BHG recipe again. Find a recipe you love on BHG.com? Click the heart icon to save it (and find it later) with MyRecipes.com.

Cheese balls are a classic appetizer that's been a party staple for ages. This version brings back the retro vibes with dried beef and dill pickles. It’s so good you might want to double the recipe–it’s sure to disappear quickly!

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

  • 1/4 cup sour cream

  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 tsp. prepared horseradish (optional)

  • 4 oz. smoked cheddar or smoked Gouda cheese, shredded (1 cup)

  • 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles

  • 1 (2.25- to 2.5-oz.) jar dried beef, finely chopped, divided

  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • Crackers and/or vegetable dippers

Directions

  1. In a large bowl combine cream cheese and sour cream. Beat with a mixer on low until combined. Add Worcestershire sauce and horseradish (if using); beat until combined. Stir in cheddar cheese, pickles, and 1∕4 cup of the chopped dried beef.

  2. Place cream cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to shape mixture into a ball (mixture will be soft). Wrap plastic wrap around cheese ball. Chill until firm enough to handle, 4 to 24 hours. Unwrap; shape into a smoother ball shape.

  3. On a plate combine remaining chopped dried beef and the parsley. Roll cheese ball in dried beef mixture to coat. Loosely cover; chill until ready to serve. Serve with crackers and/or vegetable dippers.

Credits

Recipe developed by Jessica Christensen.