This Dill Pickle Cheese Ball is an easy appetizer that comes together in minutes and contains maximum dill pickle flavour. Dress it up for the holidays or keep it low key for game day. This one’s a winner!
This holiday themed Dill Pickle Cheese Ball will be the centre of attention at your holiday gathering, potluck, or family dinner. Made from softened cream cheese and chopped dill pickles, this cheese ball tastes almost exactly like dill pickle chip dip.
The best part? You can make it ahead of time or whip it up in under an hour.
What is a Cheese Ball?
A Cheese Ball is a highly customize-able sweet or savoury appetizer that contains a base of softened cream cheese mixed with other cheeses, nuts, seeds, meats, spices, or vegetables.
The ball is hand formed, then rolled in any variety of attractive coatings. In addition, many recent novel Cheese Balls are shaped and decorated to resemble festive objects, woodland animals or other interesting shapes.
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Cheese Balls – An Elevated Cheese Invention
Have you ever head the expression, “Cheese is milk’s leap toward immortality”? If the former is true than Cheese balls are ‘cheese’s leap towards infamy’.
The first Cheese Ball recorded was a giant 1235 pound behemoth sent from Elder John Leland of Cheshire, Massachusetts to President Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800’s.
Can you imagine a cheese ball this size rolling across the White House lawn?!
Much later on in the 1940’s, Cheese Balls became known as a highly adaptable and economical staple on wartime gatherings. If you have leftover cheese ends from Christmas or a party, a cheese ball is a great way to use them up.
Take a look on Pinterest and you’ll find this cheesy staple has withstood the test of time and has even developed a bit of a cult following.
My Dill Pickle Cheese Ball Inspiration
Growing up I was infatuated with ripple chips dipped in Old Dutch Dill Pickle Chip Dip. On the farm, we didn’t eat a lot of ‘junk food’ so it was a real treat when our parents bought us chips and dip.
These days, I still have the odd craving for this tasty snack. By adding chopped up dill pickles, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder to cream cheese, I have come really close to creating a grow up version of my favourite childhood snack.
How to Make a Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
Cheese Balls are so easy to make! Begin with room temperature cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer, then add in the rest of the ingredients.
After they are mixed together, scrape the mixture onto a plate and place in the freezer for 45 minutes. This helps the cheese to firm up before the final shaping.
Next, shape the mixture into a ball with your hands. Smooth out any lumps or divots, then roll in the freshly chopped dill and garnish.
What to Serve with a Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
When you’re ready to serve the Cheese Ball you have a variety of serving options. Classic Ritz Crackers are always a favourite, as are ripple chips.
To mix it up a bit, serve it with pita chips or naan bread. Don’t forget to have some gluten free options for friends on gluten free diets.
How Long Will a Cheese Ball Last in the Fridge?
If you want to make this Dill Pickle Cheese Ball ahead of time, wrap it in plastic before you roll it in the fresh dill. It will keep for up to a week in the fridge this way.
If you customize by adding other ingredients, the cheese ball will last as long as your most perishable ingredient. Once you serve the cheese ball, it should be entirely eaten and not refrigerated for a second time.
Can You Freeze a Cheese Ball?
Sure you can! To freeze, wrap the ungarnished cheese ball in plastic wrap then place in another container or plastic freezer bag. It will be good frozen for up to a month.
To serve, thaw for an hour or two, then roll in garnish as desired.
Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
This Dill Pickle Cheese Ball is an easy appetizer that comes together in minutes and contains maximum dill pickle flavour. Dress it up for the holidays or keep it low key for game day. This one’s a winner!
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese; room temperature
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup dill pickle relish or finely chopped dill pickles; drained
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Place cream cheese, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Dry dill pickles/relish thoroughly with a paper towel. Add to mixer bowl.
- Mix well on low/medium speed. Scrape mixture onto a plate and place in the freezer for 45 minutes.
- Remove from freezer and quickly shape into a ball.
- Smooth the exterior with your fingers and carefully roll in chopped dill. Arrange on plate and enjoy with crackers.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 205Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 424mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 4g
Nutritional calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator.
Hi! Can this be made and frozen for a couple of days before serving?
Yes, you can freeze cheeseballs (without the coating). However, the texture may change and become grainy. You can make it up to three days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.
Has anyone tried this recipe substituting the cream cheese for a dairy/lactose free alternative? I’m thinking the store bought dairy free cream cheese. I just worry that the consistency may not be the same?
Not that I know of…Is the dairy free cream cheese quite a bit softer? In that case you might end up with more of a dill pickle dip and that wouldn’t be so bad either!
What are your thoughts about using dried dill weed instead and just mixing inside the cheese ball? I do not have access to fresh dill today and would love to make this for New Year’s Eve. Thanks!
OH, Diana I’m so sorry I didn’t see this sooner. Yes, by all means dill is one of those herbs that still retains a lot of flavour when dried. Happy New Year!
This looks like a surefire hit in my book! I can’t wait to try it out myself. I love pairing dill pickle dip with naan bread, but I’ve never considered making a dill pickle cheese ball! Thank you for sharing!
Dill pickle dip with naan…now we’re talking. Yep we’re definitely on the same wavelength.
When I saw this beautiful Dill Pickle cheese ball I knew it was a must try. I made it for a a small get together Saturday night and it disappeared in no time. The fresh dill coated on the outside was the perfect touch and really made this special. This is a perfect appetizer for any occasion.
Great to hear…I forgot to add in the post but you can definitely double this recipe very easily!
What a great idea! Live this dude dish recipe. I fortunately have all the ingredients so maki g it for my next gathering.
Great…hope the dudes (and others) love it! Thanks for stopping by Gunjan.
This recipe is calling my name! My Baba used to always serve us Ritz crackers, marble cheese and dill pickles on a plate and this recipe is legit the cheeseball version of that!
Classic. Your Baba was fancy…we got velveeta! lol
This is so good. Perfect as a party appetizer. Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you Sophie!
This is so perfect. All the males in our family are simply nuts about dill pickles. This is the perfect appetizer to serve them. I know that there won’t be a smear or cream cheese left when I serve this. Thank you for the recipe – this I know will be a favorite.
For sure they will…my guys loved it and I did too.
I’m a sucker for cheese, and a sucker for pickles, so I knew I had to try this. Put it out for thanksgiving and it was such a hit. Thanks for a great recipe!
Awesome! I’m so glad everyone loved it, thanks so much for letting me know.
My son loves anything with dill pickle flavors and this creative gem is going on our appetizer menu! Thanks for sharing!
Same here! The family is already asking me to make this again at Christmas.
My husband is crazy for dill pickles and anything dill pickle flavoured, (including that dill pickle dip) so I know he’ll be really happy if I make this for one of our holiday gatherings. Thanks for the recipe!
You are so welcome Colleen, hope everyone enjoys it!
Yes! Loving the dill pickle cheese ball! This is so festive and I can’t wait to try it. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, tart, herby and salty.
You betcha!! Thanks for stopping by Michelle.
Well, that’s easy! Perfect for holiday entertaining! I love that festive garnish on top. Recipes like yours are ideal for busy December days. Thanks for sharing.
Everyone needs a quick, last minute appetizer recipe right?!
Cheeseballs are one of my favorite appetizers for the holidays, and this one is so pretty for Christmas with all that greenery from the dill. Can’t wait to make this — I know it’ll be a hit with the family!
Thank you Amanda! My family definitely devoured it!
I made this last year, for a couple of different partys! I had so many compliments on it. My family has requested I make it again this year! It’s really good and easy.
Wonderful to hear Linda. Merry Christmas to you and your family!