A creamy, savory, old-fashioned party appetizer made with chipped beef, cream cheese, green onions, and a few simple seasonings.
If you need an easy appetizer that can be prepared ahead of time, this Creamed Chipped Beef Cheese Ball is a classic choice. It combines rich, smooth cream cheese with salty chopped dried beef, fresh green onions, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Serve it with buttery crackers and you have a simple snack that works beautifully for holidays, potlucks, game days, and casual gatherings.
The recipe is especially convenient because there is no cooking required. Once everything is mixed together, you simply shape it into a ball, chill it until firm, and serve. The version from Buzzin Herald uses two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, an 8-ounce package of chipped dried beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and green onions.
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Ball
- No baking required — Just mix, shape, and chill.
- Quick to prepare — The active preparation takes only a few minutes.
- Savory and satisfying — Dried beef adds plenty of salty, meaty flavor.
- Great for parties — One cheese ball can serve several people.
- Make-ahead friendly — Chilling also helps the flavors come together.
- Easy to customize — Add herbs, nuts, hot peppers, or extra seasonings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cheese Ball
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 (8-ounce) package chipped dried beef, finely chopped
- 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Extra green onion for garnish, optional
For Serving
- Ritz crackers or your favorite sturdy crackers
The ingredient combination closely follows the published Buzzin Herald recipe, which also recommends Ritz crackers for serving.
How to Make Creamed Chipped Beef Cheese Ball
1. Soften the Cream Cheese
Take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator and allow it to soften at room temperature. Softened cream cheese is much easier to mix and produces a smoother cheese ball.
If you’re short on time, cut the cream cheese into smaller cubes to help it soften more quickly.
2. Prepare the Beef and Green Onions
Finely chop the chipped dried beef. Smaller pieces distribute throughout the cream cheese more evenly, so you get a little beef in almost every bite.
Finely chop the green onions as well, reserving a small amount for garnish if desired.
3. Mix the Cheese Ball
Place the softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped chipped beef and green onions.
Mix everything together with a wooden spoon, sturdy spatula, or hand mixer until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix again until well combined.
Taste the mixture before adding salt. Chipped dried beef can already be quite salty, so you may not need much—or any—additional salt. The original recipe specifically recommends seasoning with salt only after tasting.
4. Shape Into a Ball
Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface.
Transfer the cheese mixture to the center of the plastic wrap. Pull the plastic wrap around the mixture and gently shape it into a round ball.
Don’t worry about making it perfectly smooth. Once chilled, it will become easier to handle and present neatly.
5. Chill
Wrap the cheese ball tightly and refrigerate it for at least 20 minutes, or until firm.
For an even more flavorful appetizer, you can prepare it several hours ahead of serving. Other versions of chipped beef cheese ball also recommend longer chilling periods, including overnight, which allows the flavors to meld.
6. Garnish and Serve
Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it.
Place it on a serving plate and sprinkle the top with additional chopped green onions if desired.
Arrange crackers around the cheese ball and serve.
Tips for the Best Chipped Beef Cheese Ball
Use softened cream cheese
Cold cream cheese is difficult to combine with the other ingredients. Let it soften before mixing for the smoothest texture.
Chop the beef finely
Large pieces of dried beef can make the cheese ball difficult to spread. Fine chopping gives you a more consistent texture.
Taste before adding salt
This is particularly important with chipped dried beef because the beef itself contributes significant saltiness.
Chill before serving
The cheese ball becomes firmer and easier to spread after refrigeration. If your mixture feels too soft while you’re shaping it, simply refrigerate it longer.
Make it ahead
This appetizer is an excellent choice when you’re preparing food for a party. You can mix and shape the cheese ball ahead of time, then keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
Easy Variations
Add Chopped Pecans
For extra crunch, roll the finished cheese ball in finely chopped pecans or walnuts. Chopped nuts are a common variation for chipped beef cheese balls.
Add Fresh Herbs
Mix in chopped parsley, chives, or a little fresh dill for a brighter flavor.
Make It Spicy
Add finely chopped jalapeño, crushed red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce.
Add Cheddar
Mix ½ to 1 cup of finely shredded sharp cheddar into the cream cheese mixture for an even cheesier appetizer.
Use Different Beef
If you don’t have chipped dried beef, some variations use dried ham or other chopped cured meats.
What to Serve With It
This cheese ball is delicious with more than just crackers. Try serving it with:
- Ritz or club-style crackers
- Pretzel crisps
- Rye bread
- Toasted baguette slices
- Celery sticks
- Cucumber slices
- Bell pepper strips
- Carrot sticks
- Pita chips
For a party, place the cheese ball in the center of a large platter and surround it with several different crackers and fresh vegetables.
Can You Make It Ahead?
Absolutely. This is one of the best things about a cheese ball.
Prepare and shape it, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. If you make it well in advance, keep it properly refrigerated and allow it to sit out only for the time needed for serving.
For the best texture, take it out shortly before serving so it is firm but spreadable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chipped beef?
Chipped beef is thinly sliced dried or cured beef with a concentrated savory and salty flavor. It is commonly used in appetizers, dips, spreads, and classic creamed chipped beef dishes.
Can I use regular cream cheese?
Yes. Full-fat cream cheese gives the richest and firmest texture, but reduced-fat cream cheese can also work.
Why is my cheese ball too soft?
The cream cheese may have been too warm, or the mixture may need additional chilling. Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator for another 30–60 minutes before serving.
Can I freeze a chipped beef cheese ball?
You can freeze many cream-cheese-based cheese balls, although the texture may become slightly different after thawing. For the freshest texture, refrigeration is preferable.
How long does it last?
Keep leftovers covered and refrigerated. Because this appetizer contains cream cheese and dried meat, follow the storage guidance on your ingredients and don’t leave it sitting at room temperature for extended periods.
Final Thoughts
This Creamed Chipped Beef Cheese Ball proves that a great party appetizer doesn’t need a long ingredient list or complicated preparation. Cream cheese, savory chipped beef, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and a few seasonings come together to create a rich, spreadable appetizer that’s ready with minimal effort. The basic recipe takes only a short time to assemble before chilling, making it particularly useful when you need something you can prepare ahead.
Serve it with your favorite crackers, add a little extra green onion on top, and let everyone dig in. It’s simple, savory, and perfect for sharing. 🧀🥩
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 20 minutes or longer
Total Time: About 35 minutes
Servings: 6–8
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Method: No-cook
Best Served: Chilled with crackers
