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Chipped Beef Cheese Ball

A Chipped Beef Cheese Ball is the kind of classic appetizer that disappears quickly once it hits the snack table. It combines creamy, tangy cheese with savory chopped dried beef, crunchy vegetables, and simple seasonings. The mixture is shaped into a ball and chilled until firm, then coated with an additional layer of chopped beef and fresh herbs for a flavorful finish.

This make-ahead appetizer is especially convenient for parties because it can be prepared several hours in advance. Serve it with crackers, pretzels, toasted baguette slices, or fresh vegetables for an easy appetizer that requires very little cooking.

Ingredients

For the Cheese Ball

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 ounces dried chipped beef, finely chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons sour cream or mayonnaise, if needed for a softer texture

For the Coating

2 ounces dried chipped beef, finely chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion

For Serving

Assorted crackers
Pretzel crisps
Toasted baguette slices
Celery sticks
Carrot sticks
Cucumber slices
Bell pepper strips

Step 1: Prepare the Chipped Beef

Begin by removing the dried chipped beef from its packaging. If the beef is particularly salty, place it in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes, then drain and pat it completely dry with paper towels.

Finely chop the beef into small pieces. Smaller pieces distribute more evenly throughout the cheese mixture and make the finished cheese ball easier to spread onto crackers.

Set aside about 2 ounces of the chopped beef for the outside coating.

Step 2: Soften the Cream Cheese

Place the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and allow it to soften at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Softened cream cheese is much easier to mix and helps prevent large lumps from remaining in the finished appetizer.

For the best texture, avoid trying to mix the cream cheese while it is still very cold and firm.

Step 3: Combine the Cheese Mixture

Add the shredded cheddar cheese, most of the chopped chipped beef, green onion, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to the softened cream cheese.

Using a sturdy spoon or electric hand mixer, mix everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

The mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape. If it seems unusually stiff or difficult to combine, add sour cream or mayonnaise one tablespoon at a time until it reaches a creamy but sturdy consistency.

Taste the mixture before adding any salt. Dried chipped beef can already contain quite a bit of salt, so additional salt may not be necessary.