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Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
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The tangy zest of dill pickles beautifully enhances the creamy, cheesy delight, making this dill pickle cheese ball an instant favorite at any gathering. It's so irresistibly tasty, I assure you, stopping at just one serving will be a challenge!
More Recipes ⭐ Dill Pickle Dip | Dill Pickle Pasta Salad | Dill Pickle Chex Mix
Our dill pickle cheese ball offers a burst of flavors that dance on your palate. It's a blend of salty, creamy, and cheesy goodness, with a delightful tang from the dill pickles that will excite your senses.
Ingredients for Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
What You'll Need for this Dill Pickle Cheese Ball Recipe:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper spice blend
- 1 cup dill pickles, diced small (I used the refrigerated kind because they have a fresher flavor (Claussen brand))
- 8 ounces Colby jack, shredded
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
- crackers for serving
Dill Pickle Cheese Ball Variations
These easy substitutions and additions can easily be swapped out while still maintaining the deliciousness of this easy cheese ball recipe!
- GARNISH: Enhance the cheese ball by adding a topping of pecans or walnuts. For a more pronounced flavor, consider encasing it entirely in dill, rather than just a light sprinkle on top.
- BACON: Consider incorporating bacon bits or freshly chopped cooked bacon to enhance the flavor profile of this dill pickle cream cheese ball recipe.
- CHEESE: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or Muenster, in place of Colby jack. Adding up to ½ cup of grated parmesan can also boost the flavor.
- DILL: In the absence of fresh dill, half the quantity of dried dill can be used as a substitute due to its more concentrated flavor.
How to make a Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
To prepare this scrumptious cheese ball, start by blending all the ingredients in a bowl until they're well mixed.
Then, shape the mixture into a ball and encase it in plastic wrap. After chilling in the refrigerator until it firms up, your cheese ball will be set and ready to enjoy with your preferred crackers.
FIRST STEP: Mix the softened cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and pickle juice in a medium bowl until combined.
Pro Tip
Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid any lumps in your cheese ball mixture.
SECOND STEP: Add the onion powder, garlic powder, and lemon pepper seasoning. Mix until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the cheese.
THIRD STEP: Fold in the Colby jack cheese, diced pickles, and fresh dill.
Pro Tip
Resist the urge to add salt to the mixture right after blending. The flavors meld beautifully after a few hours in the fridge, and since this appetizer is often paired with salty crackers, extra salt is usually not needed.
FOURTH STEP: Line a soup bowl with plastic wrap and fill the bowl with the cheese mixture. Gather the plastic wrap and twist until the cheese mixture is a ball shape and tightly compacted.
FIFTH STEP: Refrigerate the cheese ball for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
SIXTH STEP: Serve with crackers.
How does it taste?
This dill pickle cheese ball is full of tangy and tart pickle flavor. The vinegary tang is balanced out by the creamy cheese and fresh dill. Additionally, this cheese ball appetizer is best served cold.
Can you make a cheese ball ahead of time?
Yes! We recommend you make it at least a day in advance to allow the flavors to blend together. You can eat it after a few hours, but it tastes better the next day. A homemade cheese ball will keep for up to 5 days. You can freeze the cheese ball for up to a month for longer-term storage, but the texture of the cream cheese may be a bit grainy.
Can I buy grated cheese for this recipe?
Yes! We like using the bagged, pre-shredded cheese for this recipe because you can buy the very finely shredded kinds, and it tends to mix into the cream cheese better and not clump up. Also, make sure you use room temperature cream cheese, so you don’t have any lumps in your cheese ball mixture.
Storing this Recipe
FRIDGE STORAGE: Keep the cheese ball chilled in the refrigerator until serving time. It will remain fresh for up to 5 days.
FREEZER STORAGE: For extended preservation, the dill pickle cheese ball can be frozen for up to a month. Be mindful that freezing may slightly alter the cream cheese's texture, making it somewhat grainy.
Remember to mark the container with the best-by date to guarantee you consume it while it's still at its best.
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Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper spice blend
- 1 cup dill pickles (diced small (I used the refrigerated kind because they have a fresher flavor (Claussen brand))
- 8 ounces Colby jack (shredded)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (plus more for garnish)
- crackers (for serving)
DIRECTIONS
- Mix the softened cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and pickle juice in a medium bowl until combined.
- Add the onion powder, garlic powder, and lemon pepper seasoning. Mix until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the cheese.
- Fold in the Colby jack cheese, diced pickles, and fresh dill.
- Line a soup bowl with plastic wrap and fill the bowl with the cheese mixture. Gather the plastic wrap and twist until the cheese mixture is a ball shape and tightly compacted.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Serve with crackers.
Notes
- I like using the bagged, pre-shredded cheese for this recipe because you can buy the very finely shredded kinds, and it tends to mix into the cream cheese better and not clump up.
- Make sure you use room temperature cream cheese, so you don’t have any lumps in your cheese ball mixture.
- You may be tempted to add salt to the recipe when you taste it immediately after mixing. Don’t do it! The flavors come together after a few hours in the refrigerator, and you will likely be serving this cheese ball appetizer with salty crackers, so additional salt is not necessary.
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