The Ultimate Reuben Cheese Ball: Your Go-To Holiday Appetizer
Prepare to be the star of your next gathering with this irresistible Reuben Cheese Ball! It captures all the beloved flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich – savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, creamy Swiss cheese, all enveloped in a rich cream cheese blend and coated with crunchy pecans. Perfect for serving on mini rye slices or crackers, this holiday appetizer is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
A Reuben Cheese Ball, you ask? Oh, absolutely! If you know me, you know I love to “Reuben-ize” just about anything, transforming classic dishes into new, exciting flavor experiences inspired by that iconic deli sandwich. This festive cheese ball is no exception, elegantly dressed up and ready to make a grand entrance at your upcoming holiday parties and family get-togethers. If you’re on the hunt for an effortless yet incredibly impressive appetizer that will disappear in minutes, your search ends here!
This post has been sponsored by Gary’s QuickSteak, but the opinions and love of their products are all my own.
SOME OF THE ITEMS BELOW CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS; I AM A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES. I AM ALSO AN AFFILIATE FOR OTHER BRANDS. HOWEVER, I ONLY PROMOTE THINGS THAT I LOVE AND THINK YOU WILL LOVE, TOO. FOR MY ENTIRE DISCLOSURE POLICY PLEASE CLICK HERE.
Pin This Festive Reuben Appetizer!
The holiday season is officially upon us! With Thanksgiving just around the corner and Black Friday deals already swirling, it’s clear that the festive spirit is in full swing. Even though this year might feel a little different, the joy of hosting and celebrating with loved ones remains. That “extra” week in November, before the full swing of December holidays, offers a fantastic opportunity to gather family and friends, kick off the celebrations early, and indulge in delicious food. And what better way to do that than with an easy-to-make, utterly delightful appetizer like this Reuben Cheese Ball?
When it comes to party food, dips, cheese balls, and elaborate cheese plates are always my go-to choices. There’s something inherently inviting about them, drawing guests in to gather and graze. Over the past few years, cheese balls have experienced a wonderful resurgence. Once a staple of vintage entertaining, they’ve made a triumphant comeback, appearing on more and more modern party tables. On my site, I’ve shared a few favorites, like a Summer Sausage Cheese Ball, packed with cheddar, onion, and chives, and a Cream Cheese Party Ball, featuring smoky sausage, sauerkraut, and a bacon coating. While both are fantastic choices, this Reuben Cheese Ball truly stands out. I can proudly say it’s not only incredibly flavorful but also remarkably simple to prepare, making it a win-win for any host!
The Secret Ingredient: Quality Corned Beef
The foundation of this phenomenal cheese ball begins with one of my absolute favorite products: Gary’s QuickSteak Corned Beef. You might recall me raving about Gary’s QuickSteak in previous posts, where I’ve featured their QuickSteak and Chicken in various recipes. Now, it’s time for their exceptional Corned Beef to shine. I’ll let you in on a little secret: I’m quite particular about my corned beef. I typically stick to one brand I trust, and rarely deviate. So, when I first tasted Gary’s Corned Beef, I was genuinely thrilled. It’s truly *that good*. What makes it stand out? It’s lean, perfectly seasoned, and cooks up in mere minutes, which is a game-changer for busy cooks. Most people associate corned beef with St. Patrick’s Day, making Corned Beef and Cabbage just once a year. But in my home, we adore it and enjoy it multiple times throughout the year. Just last week, we savored it in our Reuben Stuffed Baked Potatoes, and this weekend, it’s starring in my comforting Cream of Reuben Soup! Using high-quality shortcuts that don’t compromise on flavor? That’s a culinary win in my book!
What Makes This Reuben Cheese Ball So Irresistible?
This delightful appetizer combines a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, creating an unforgettable experience for your taste buds. Each ingredient plays a vital role in recreating the iconic Reuben flavor profile in a new, exciting format. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Gary’s QuickSteak Corned Beef: The star protein, offering savory depth. Its quality ensures a non-fatty, flavorful base.
- Sauerkraut: Provides that essential tangy, briny element that is characteristic of a Reuben. Remember to drain and chop it well to avoid excess moisture.
- Sweet Pickle: Adds a touch of sweetness and another layer of tangy crunch, balancing the savory and sour notes.
- Garlic: A subtle hint of garlic enhances the overall savory profile, adding aromatic depth without overpowering.
- Swiss Cheese: Melty, nutty Swiss cheese is indispensable for the authentic Reuben taste and provides creamy texture to the ball.
- Cream Cheese: The base of our cheese ball, offering a wonderfully smooth and spreadable consistency, making it easy to form and serve.
- Ketchup: A secret ingredient that adds a subtle sweetness and tang, reminiscent of Thousand Island dressing without needing a separate condiment in the ball itself.
- Pecans: Chopped pecans form the crunchy exterior, adding a beautiful texture contrast and a rich, buttery flavor. Walnuts would also work well if you prefer.
- Fresh Parsley: Incorporates a fresh, herbaceous note and vibrant color to the pecan coating.
- Paprika: A dash of paprika in the coating adds a warm, subtly smoky flavor and a lovely reddish hue, enhancing the visual appeal.
Crafting Your Perfect Reuben Cheese Ball: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this cheese ball is surprisingly straightforward, and the results are incredibly rewarding. Gather all your ingredients and let’s create some magic:
- Start by ensuring your cream cheese is properly softened. This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free base. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to whip together the softened cream cheese, ketchup, and minced garlic until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step creates a harmonious base for our Reuben flavors.
- Next, it’s time to fold in the main stars of the Reuben. Gently incorporate the finely chopped sweet pickles, well-drained and chopped sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese, and finally, the cooked and chopped corned beef. Mix thoroughly but carefully, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese mixture.
At this stage, you might find yourself tempted to grab a spoon and enjoy a bite (or two!) of this delicious mixture. And honestly, I wouldn’t blame you! It’s perfectly fine to sneak a taste – it’s your kitchen, after all! But trust me, it gets even better.
For the irresistible coating, grab a small bowl and combine the finely chopped pecans, fresh chopped parsley, and a dash of paprika. This blend will provide a delightful crunch and an appealing visual contrast.
To coat your cheese ball neatly, spread a large piece of plastic wrap on a clean kitchen counter. Sprinkle about half of your pecan mixture in the center of the plastic wrap. Now, with clean hands, shape the cheese mixture into a large, firm ball. Gently place this ball onto the bed of pecans. This method makes coating much easier and less messy.
Sprinkle the remaining pecan mixture generously over the top of the cheese ball. Using your hands, carefully press the nuts into the cheese ball on all sides until it is completely coated. The plastic wrap helps immensely in this process, allowing you to gently mold and press without getting your hands too sticky.
Once coated, wrap the cheese ball tightly in the plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours. This chilling time is essential, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and the cheese ball to firm up, making it easier to serve. For ultimate convenience, this is a fantastic appetizer to prepare the night before your event!
Serving Your Delicious Reuben Cheese Ball
Presentation is key, especially for holiday appetizers! When you’re ready to serve, carefully unwrap your chilled Reuben Cheese Ball. Arrange it beautifully on a platter, a decorative plate, or even in the center of a chip/dip bowl with crackers encircling it. I personally love using a rustic wooden cheese board to present mine, as it allows for a lovely spread of accompaniments. Surround your cheese ball with an array of dippers: mini rye bread slices are a classic choice, but rye crackers, pretzel thins, or even vegetable sticks work wonderfully. Don’t forget to offer a side of Thousand Island dressing for an extra kick of traditional Reuben flavor, and some sweet pickles for a refreshing counterpoint. Make sure to provide some cocktail knives or spreading spoons for easy serving, ensuring your guests can enjoy every delicious bite with ease.
This recipe yields a generously sized cheese ball, perfect for larger gatherings. If you’re hosting a smaller party, you have a couple of options: you can either divide the mixture to create two smaller cheese balls, or simply halve the recipe. If you choose the latter, you’ll have some leftover Gary’s QuickSteak Corned Beef – an excellent excuse to treat yourself to a Classic Reuben Sandwich while your cheese ball chills! It’s the perfect snack to tide you over before the main event.
Explore More Delicious Recipes with Gary’s QuickSteak:
How to Get Your Hands on Gary’s QuickSteak Products!
Getting Gary’s QuickSteak for your own kitchen is incredibly easy, just a simple click away! You can purchase Gary’s QuickSteak Corned Beef, Chicken, Steak, and their famous WOW Seasoning directly here at Buy Nebraska. This makes stocking up on these convenient and delicious meats a breeze, ensuring you’re always ready to whip up a fantastic meal or appetizer.
For even more culinary inspiration, be sure to visit the official Gary’s QuickSteak website. There, you’ll find a treasure trove of recipes, insightful cooking tips, and creative ideas for incorporating their amazing Corned Beef and other products into your everyday cooking. It’s a fantastic resource for maximizing the potential of these high-quality ingredients.
Stay connected with the Gary’s QuickSteak community and discover new recipes year-round by following them on their Facebook page and their Instagram page. You’ll get regular updates, inspiring content, and perhaps even some behind-the-scenes peeks!
If you’ve tried and loved their products, we encourage you to share your culinary creations! Post your Gary’s QuickSteak photos on social media and tag them with #GarysQuickSteak #MealsInMinutes. We genuinely love seeing what delicious dishes are cooking in your kitchens and celebrating your creativity.
Don’t hesitate to try all their versatile and delicious products: their tender Steak, juicy Chicken, and of course, the flavorful Corned Beef! Keep an eye out for more fantastic recipes coming soon from Gary’s QuickSteak and An Affair from the Heart – we’re always cooking up something new and exciting for you to enjoy!
Here’s to a wonderful holiday season filled with cherished moments, the company of good friends and family, and an abundance of truly delicious food!
The Reuben sandwich is a culinary icon, but its exact origins are shrouded in a bit of mystery, with a couple of fascinating stories vying for historical accuracy. Whether it was invented for a late-night poker game or a hotel luncheon, its distinctive combination of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing on rye bread has captured hearts (and appetites) for generations. If you’re as obsessed with Reuben flavors as I am, you’ll want to delve deeper into its captivating history and discover how to “Reubenize” virtually any dish. From casseroles to dips, the possibilities are endless for infusing that irresistible tangy, savory goodness into your cooking! Learn all about the Reuben and creative ways to Reubenize everything!
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
Print Recipe
Reuben Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce package Gary’s QuickSteak Corned Beef, cooked and finely chopped (approximately 1 ½ cups)
- 1/2 cup sauerkraut well-drained and chopped
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon ketchup
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
-
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, whip together the softened cream cheese, minced garlic, and ketchup until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
-
Gently fold in the finely chopped sweet pickles, thoroughly drained and chopped sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese, and the cooked, chopped Gary’s QuickSteak Corned Beef. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
-
In a separate small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, fresh chopped parsley, and paprika for the coating.
-
Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on your clean counter. Sprinkle half of the pecan mixture in the center. Form the cheese mixture into one large ball (or two smaller ones, if preferred) with your hands and place it onto the sprinkled nuts. Sprinkle the remaining pecan mixture generously over the top of the cheese ball. Using the plastic wrap to assist, carefully press the nut mixture into the cheese ball until it is completely coated on all sides.
-
Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the ball to firm up. This also makes it a perfect make-ahead appetizer!
-
To serve, unwrap the chilled cheese ball and place it on a festive platter. Surround it with mini rye bread slices, rye crackers, or other preferred dippers. Offer a side of Thousand Island dressing and sweet pickles for an authentic Reuben experience.