Dried Beef Cheese Ball

Cheese balls are a favorite retro appetizer that are welcome at any Southern party, and this dried beef cheese ball is a surprising variation that most folks probably haven't tried before.

Dried beef cheese ball is made with, you guessed it, dried beef, which is a salty, pressed kind of beef. It's perhaps most well known for its starring role in Creamed Chipped Beef.

But if you have a jar or two in the pantry, you have a new way to use it: in this ultra-savory appetizer for your next party.

Ingredients for Dried Beef Cheese Ball

We have a few ingredients in this recipe for dried beef cheese ball that make it quite special.

• Dried beef, also known as chipped beef, is a super savory (and salty!) form of pressed beef. It's usually found in the canned meats aisle, near the tuna. It is shelf-stable, so it's never a bad idea to have a jar or two in the pantry. It is also very salty, so don't add any extra salt to your cheese ball before you've had a chance to taste it.
• Cream cheese is the base of this cheese ball, with gournay cheese (such as Boursin) adding notes of herb and onion and a creamy texture.
• Gouda cheese is smoky and nutty, which is a nice balance to the dried beef. Most other dried beef cheese ball recipes use Cheddar cheese as the second cheese, but we like Gouda better for a more complex flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce, spicy brown mustard, and black pepper provide additional flavor.
• Parsley adds freshness, which balances the dried beef, but it's also used on the outside as a colorful coating for the cheese ball, along with pecans.
• You'll also need crackers for serving, such as round butter crackers (Ritz), rectangular buttery crackers (Club), or shredded whole-wheat crackers (Triscuits). Pretzels or vegetables would work, too.

How To Make a Dried Beef Cheese Ball

Making a homemade cheese ball is so easy you won't ever be tempted to buy an expensive store-bought kind.

Step 1: You'll start by mixing the cream cheese and gournay cheese with a hand mixer. You could combine these cheese by hand if you don't have an electric mixer, but it'll take some elbow grease. Mix until whipped and nearly fluffy.

Step 2: Fold in Gouda, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, black pepper, some of the dried beef, and some of the parsley.

Step 3: Form a ball with the mixture, and set aside.

Step 4: Place the toasted pecans and remaining dried beef and parsley in a shallow bowl. Roll the cheese ball in the pecan mixture. Press the pecans, parsley, and beef gently into the cheese ball to help it stick.

Step 5: Place the cheese ball on a plate, and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until the cheese ball firms up. When ready to serve, pull the cheese ball out, add crackers, and proudly display.

Tips for Making the Best Cheese Ball

While this dried beef cheese ball is easy to make, there are a few key steps that can make it easier:

• Let cheeses come to room temperature. When warmed slightly, the cheeses will blend more easily.
• Make ahead. This is a great appetizer if you need to make several dishes for a party. It can be made up to 3 days in advance. If you want fresher parsley, skip rolling the cheese ball in the beef-parsley-pecan mixture until just before serving. You'll have to press a bit harder to get the ingredients to sick, but they will.
• Use bacon bits. If you can't find dried beef, reach for another dried meat product, like bacon bits.

Other Cheese Ball Recipes:

If you love serving this retro appetizer, here are a few others you might want to consider:

• Ham Cheese Ball
• Party Cheese Ball
• Mini Pimiento Cheese Balls
• Chicken Cheese Ball