Delicious Dill Pickle Cheese Ball brings the party! Creamy cheeses, dilly pickles, and smoky ham are delish served with crackers or veggies.
Easy Dill Pickle Cheese Ball Recipe
Is there anyone that doesn't like a good cheese ball at a party? If there is, don't invite them to my house.
I love cheese balls. You will find me parked near the cheese ball section at the big game party. And if you invite me to a party, there's a high probability that I will bring this Dill Pickle Cheese Ball with crunchy dill pickles and rich creamy cheese.
Back when The Cowboy was a single guy, cheese and pickles on tortilla chips was a regular "supper" in his house. Frankly, I thought it was a weird food combination. But, guess what... he was on to something!
This is a perfect appetizer for pickle fanatics on game day or any gathering. Heck, we have it on random Thursday nights.
You should bring this addictive dill pickle cheese ball to your next Pickleball gathering!
Ingredients
- Softened Cream Cheese--room temperature
- Deli Ham, chopped--I like the thin slices so you have small pieces of ham in each bite
- Green Onion--use chives if you prefer
- Dill Pickles, chopped--save a few for garnish and dipping
- Cheddar Cheese, divided--I used white cheddar because it's what I had.
- Fresh Dill Weed, divided--I grow dill in the summer and dry some for making this year-round
- Garlic Powder
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Red Cayenne Pepper
- Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
- Pecans, chopped
- Favorite crackers, potato chips, pita chips, and veggies for dipping
How to Make Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
- In a large bowl, use a rubber spatula to combine cream cheese, diced ham, green onion, chopped pickles, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon dill weed, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, and Tony's. Mix well.
- Then form the cream cheese mixture into a ball shape. Place two long strips of plastic wrap in a cross pattern on your countertop. Put the cheese ball in the center of the plastic wrap. Use the sides of the plastic wrap to form a round ball. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 or more hours. Overnight works nicely.
- Shape the cheese ball a bit more by rolling it on a flat surface while it's still cold and wrapped in plastic.
- On a medium plate, spread the pecans, remaining cheese, and dill weed. Roll the cheese ball into the pecan mixture to cover with an even layer of cheese and pecans on the outside.
- Place the cheese ball on a serving platter and surround it with plenty of different dippers.
- Garnish with dill pickles.
Top Tips
Dill pickles can be rather salty so be cautious with over-seasoning this cheese ball.
Room-temperature cream cheese is essential for a smooth dip with no chunks of plain cream cheese.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS
Dill Pickle Dip--Skip the steps in making this dip into a ball. Instead spread it into a shallow bowl and garnish with pecans, cheese, and dill weed.
Mix up the Cheese--Mix up your shredded cheese game. Different kinds of cheese add variety. Try Colby Jack Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, or another favorite in place of the Cheddar cheese.
Bacon Dill Pickle Cheese Ball--Add chopped up bacon bits instead of ham for another version.
Ranch Dill Pickle Cheese Ball--Stir ranch seasoning into your cream cheese mixture.
STORAGE
Store leftover Dill Pickle Cheese Ball in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. I've been known to eat any leftovers for breakfast the next day.
Can Cheese Balls Be Frozen?
Cheese balls freeze well. Wrap the cheese ball in one plastic wrap layer, then one aluminum foil. Freeze for up to four weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
SOMETHING ELSE TO TRY
If you're looking for other great appetizer recipes consider trying one of these favorites:
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?
Lastly, if you made Dill Pickle Cheese Ball following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a 5-star rating!
I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.
And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!
FOOD SAFETY
- Wash hands before cooking
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened to room temperature
- 8 slices Deli Ham chopped
- 1 Green Onion
- 1 cup Dill Pickles chopped, save a few for garnish and dipping
- 1 ⅓ cups Cheddar Cheese divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dill Weed divided
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon Red Cayenne Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
- ⅓ cup Pecans chopped
- Cracker Assortment and Veggies for dipping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, diced ham, green onion, dill pickles, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon dill weed, garlic powder, worcestershire sauce, cayenne and Tony's. Mix well.
- Then form the cheese ball into a rough ball. Place two pieces of plastic wrap in a cross pattern on your countertop. Put the cheese ball in the middle. Use the plastic wrap to form into a ball. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 or more hours. Overnight works nicely.
- Shape the cheese ball a bit more while it's still cold and wrapped in plastic.
- On a medium plate, spread the pecans, remaining cheese, and dill weed. Roll the cheese ball into the pecan mixture to cover the outside.
- Place cheese ball on a serving platter and surround with dippers of choice.
- Garnish with dill pickles.
Terry T
Anything with a cracker/crunch is delicious.
Chuckie
Crunch is important!