Chipped Beef Cheese Ball

Nothing says holiday party like this classic Chipped Beef Cheese Ball! This easy-to-make recipe with creamy, smooth cream cheese, sharp cheddar, salty dried beef, tangy ranch seasoning, and savory Worcestershire is perfect for putting out at a gathering with buttery crackers for everyone to enjoy!

Dried Beef Cheese Ball

The holiday season means lots of parties where a cheese ball is the perfect appetizer.

While it’s not overly fancy, it’s one that everybody loves. I remember my mom making them at Christmas parties, potlucks, and various gatherings as a kid.

Cheese balls have recently made a comeback and it seems that everybody has their go-to recipe. Some are plain, some are covered with pecans, and some are rolled in fresh herbs.

And while you can certainly buy a cheese ball at the store, it’s never as good as one you make at home.

Serve this one with lots of crackers and sliced veggies.

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Ingredients Needed

Cream Cheese – You can use full fat, reduced fat, or fat free cream cheese. Just be sure to soften it before you start to mix it.

Cheddar Cheese – I like sharp cheddar for this recipe but use your favorite. It’s best to shred your own off the block for better flavor.

Dried Beef – Also called chipped beef, you can find it in the bacon or cured meat section of your local grocery store. My favorite brand is Buddig Beef but if you can’t find that, Armour is great too. Dice it into small, 1/2 inch pieces for easier mixing.

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

Staples – Worcestershire sauce, green onions for garnish

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How to Make a Dried Beef Cheese Ball

First: Soften the cream cheese and combine it with the shredded cheddar cheese in a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer. It will be stiff.

Second: Add the finely chopped dried beef and green onions, reserving some of each for coating the cheese ball once it’s formed. Add the Worcestershire sauce and ranch seasoning. Mix to combine.

Third: Place the mixture in a large piece of plastic wrap. Form the mixture into a ball and wrap tightly. Chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes or until firm.

Fourth: When ready to serve, remove from the plastic wrap. Roll in the reserved chipped beef and green onions. Serve with your favorite crackers.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How long does a cheese ball last in the refrigerator?

Once a cheeseball is made, it will last 3 days in the refrigerator. After that it will start to get loose and won’t hold together as well.

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze the cheese ball for up to 3 months. Just wrap tightly in plastic wrap (2 layers) and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before ready to serve. Serve with fun crackers or crispy veggies!

Check out the basics for making a classic cheese ball. Then you try all my savory and sweet cheese balls!

What is Chipped Beef?

Chipped beef, otherwise known as dried beef, is sections of meat that are thinly sliced, pressed, and cured with smoking or salting methods as a means to dry out the meat.

Usually cut into thin round or rectangular sections that are about the size of a saltine cracker.

Chipped beef can be found near the bacon or canned tuna section of the grocer, in flash sealed pouches.

Try it in my Chipped Beef Dip! If you like this, try my Beef Jerky Dip. They are similar and have a unique flavor.

Tapas Tips & Tricks

• For more texture, add all the beef and onions into the cheese ball and then coat the outside with toasted chopped pecans or almonds.
• If you can’t find the dried beef or chipped beef in the bacon section of the grocery store, sometimes you can find it near the canned meats in a jar.
• Dice or chop the dried beef very small so it’s easier to mix into the cheese ball and easier to spread on the crackers when serving.
• If you don’t have ranch seasoning, feel free to substitute a combination of garlic powder and onion powder.
• Chill the cheese ball after forming it for 20 minutes or more to firm it up before coating.
• For a fun twist, you can reserve part of the mixture and stuff it in some mushrooms!
• If you are freezing this cheese ball, thaw in the refrigerator and then coat just before serving.

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This classic and easy cheeseball with chipped beef is budget friendly, feeds a crowd, and is ready in 30 minutes. This delicious, quick, and easy appetizer is going to be a hit at your next holiday gathering!

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