Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball: Your Ultimate Easy Party Appetizer
If you adore those classic dill pickle wraps, prepare to fall in love with their sophisticated, yet incredibly easy, cousin: the Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball! This delightful appetizer is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any party or gathering, featuring a creamy blend of cream cheese, savory dried beef, and tangy dill pickles. It’s all the flavor you love, transformed into a convenient and delicious cheese ball!
For years, I’ve been eager to share this fantastic Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball recipe with you, and the time has finally arrived! Life can get hectic, especially around the holidays, making it feel impossible to get everything done. That’s why having a reliable, easy, and delicious appetizer like this cheese ball in your repertoire is an absolute lifesaver. It’s perfect for those moments when you need a show-stopping dish without spending hours in the kitchen.
Many of you already know about my incredibly popular Dill Pickle Dip. It’s consistently been the most visited recipe on my blog, literally “breaking” my site twice due to overwhelming traffic! Especially as people search for easy party appetizers, this dip has proven to be an undeniable hit. It perfectly captures the irresistible flavors of traditional dill pickle wraps in a convenient, scoopable format.
The original dill pickle wraps, typically made with cream cheese, large dill pickles, and dried beef (though some prefer ham), are undeniably delicious. However, making them can be quite a task. Rolling each pickle, securing it, chilling, and then slicing them into perfect bite-sized pieces takes time and effort. While the end result is lovely, the process can be a “pain in the keester,” as some might say.
When my niece ingeniously transformed the wraps into a dip, I knew it was a brilliant idea. I shared that recipe two years ago, and it has been a sensation ever since. Why bother with the tedious rolling, chilling, and slicing when you can simply chop all the ingredients and create a fantastic dip? It streamlines the entire process without sacrificing any of the beloved flavors. And now? We’re taking it one step further with a spectacular **CHEESE BALL!**
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Elevate Your Entertaining with a Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
I absolutely adore incorporating this Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball into my cheese boards and charcuterie platters. Crafting these edible art pieces is one of my favorite creative outlets because the possibilities are truly endless. Each board can be unique, allowing me to express my creativity, and this dill pickle cheese ball adds a unique and beloved flavor profile that always gets rave reviews. It’s a fantastic centerpiece, and for a charming touch, I often stick a small Kosher dill pickle right on top!
When assembling a cheese platter, variety is key. Here’s a detailed guide to creating a truly spectacular spread, perfectly complemented by your Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball:
- Cheese Selection: Offer a range of cheeses. Include a soft, spreadable option like Brie or goat cheese, a firm and savory choice like aged cheddar or Gouda, and perhaps a bolder, “stinky” blue cheese for adventurous palates.
- Meats: Beyond the dried beef in our cheese ball, add other cured meats such as thinly sliced salami, delicate prosciutto, or spicy pepperoni. Small beef stick bites are also always a hit! For something different, consider slices of roasted pork or even smoked turkey.
- Salty & Savory Elements: Complement the rich cheeses and meats with a selection of salty bites. Olives (Kalamata, Castelvetrano), gherkins, various mustards (dijon, whole grain), and an assortment of nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews) are excellent choices. Don’t forget a variety of crackers – buttery, seeded, or plain – along with crunchy pretzel chips.
- Sweet Touches: Balance the savory with some sweetness. Dark chocolate-covered raisins, dried fruits like cherries, apricots, or figs, and a lovely fruit jam or honey add wonderful contrast. Fresh fruits such as grapes, berries, or apple slices also provide a refreshing element.
- Garnishes: Elevate the visual appeal with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, or vibrant colored lettuces. These simple additions make your platter look like a professional creation.
Learn How To Build a Charcuterie Board Like a Pro!
Check Out my Mediterranean Inspired Cheese Board.
The Simple Stars: Three Core Ingredients for Your Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball
This irresistible cheese ball comes together with just three essential ingredients:
- Cream Cheese
- Dill Pickles
- Dried Beef
You’ll find the complete, detailed recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but let’s dive into these key components to ensure your cheese ball is perfect every time.
Understanding Dried Beef: A Key Ingredient
One of the most frequent questions I get about this recipe, and my Dill Pickle Dip, is “What exactly is dried beef?” Many people immediately ask if it’s similar to beef jerky. The answer is a definitive no! While you *can* use ham as an alternative, be aware that the flavor profile will change significantly, losing that authentic dill pickle wrap taste. Dried beef is typically very thinly sliced, cured, and has a distinctive savory, salty flavor that is unique to this type of recipe.
If you’re familiar with “S.O.S.” (often known as “Sh!t on a Shingle”), which is creamed chipped beef on toast, then you’ve encountered dried beef. My mom always used it for that classic dish, and it’s the same ingredient we use here. I typically purchase dried beef in a vacuum-sealed package, usually found in the lunchmeat or deli section of most grocery stores. Hormel is a common brand I use. You can also find dried beef in a jar, which is more widely available in some areas. However, be aware that jarred dried beef tends to be significantly saltier than the packaged variety.
A Pro Tip for Jarred Dried Beef: If you opt for jarred dried beef, I strongly recommend rinsing it thoroughly under cold water to remove some of the excess salt. After rinsing, pat it completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving the right flavor balance in your cheese ball. Also, note that jarred dried beef might have a browner tone compared to the pinkish hue of the packaged kind you see in my photos.
Choosing and Preparing Your Dill Pickles
For the best results, I always prefer to finely chop my own dill pickles. This allows me to control the texture and ensure I’m using high-quality Kosher dill pickles. If you’re really pressed for time, you can certainly use dill pickle relish. However, just like with the jarred dried beef, you need to be mindful of excess liquid. Relish contains more brine, so it’s essential to thoroughly drain off any extra moisture before mixing it into your cream cheese. Too much liquid will prevent your cheese ball from firming up properly, resulting in a soggy texture.
When chopping your own pickles, make sure to pat them dry with a paper towel after chopping to remove surface moisture, further ensuring a perfectly firm cheese ball.
Assembling Your Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball
The assembly process is wonderfully straightforward. First, ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature – this makes it much easier to beat until smooth and ensures a lump-free base. Once creamy, half of the finely chopped dried beef and the well-drained chopped dill pickles are folded into the cream cheese mixture. This creates the delicious core of your cheese ball.
Next, the mixture is shaped into a ball, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, and then chilled in the refrigerator for at least two hours. This crucial chilling period allows the flavors to meld beautifully and helps the cheese ball firm up, making it easier to handle and serve. Once firm, it’s rolled in the remaining chopped dried beef, creating an attractive and flavorful outer coating.
Serving Your Masterpiece
This Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball is incredibly versatile. Serve it as a stand-alone star with an assortment of crackers – classic butter crackers, hearty wheat crackers, or even pretzel crisps work wonderfully. You can also offer vegetable sticks like celery or bell pepper strips for a lighter dipping option. Alternatively, incorporate it into a larger charcuterie or cheese platter, as discussed earlier, to provide a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. No matter how you present it, your guests are guaranteed to love this unique and flavorful appetizer – I promise!
Storage Tips: If you have any leftovers, simply wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s best served at a slightly cooler than room temperature, so take it out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before serving.
More Cheese Ball Favorites You’ll Love!
If you’re a fan of savory and sweet cheese balls like we are, you’re in for a treat! Here are some other fantastic cheese ball recipes to try for your next gathering:
- Summer Sausage Cheese Ball – This festive cheese ball features summer sausage, a blend of four cheeses, green onions, and chives for an absolutely out-of-this-world flavor. It’s quick to make and even quicker to disappear!
- Reuben Cheese Ball – Enjoy all the beloved flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich in this unique Holiday Reuben Cheese Ball! Made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and cream cheese, then coated in toasted pecans, it’s perfect served with mini rye slices or crackers.
- Almond Joy Cheese Ball – Indulge in all the amazing flavors of the classic candy bar! This dessert cheese ball is a delicious mix of toasted coconut and almonds with a gooey fudge center. Serve it with chocolate animal crackers for extra dessert fun!
- Cream Cheese Party Ball – A delightful combination of smooth cream cheese, smoky sausage, and tangy sauerkraut, all rolled in crispy bacon. This savory cheese ball is a crowd-pleaser when served with your favorite crackers.
- Puppy Chow Cheese Ball – Whether you call it Puppy Chow or Muddy Buddies, this dessert cheese ball is a must-try! It features a creamy base with chocolate and crunchy Chex cereal.
- Red Velvet Cheese Ball – A decadent dessert cheese ball, perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion when you crave a sweet treat!
All you need for serving are some delicious crackers and perhaps a spreader or two, so everyone can enjoy this delightful appetizer without having to share their utensils!
Explore All My Appetizers & Snacks
This incredible Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball isn’t going to make itself! Let’s get to the recipe and create something truly special for your next gathering. Enjoy! 
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Print Recipe
Dill Pickle Wrap Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 bricks cream cheese 12 ounces softened
- 3 2.5 ounce packages dried beef, chopped and divided in half
- 1/3 cup chopped dill pickles excess liquid drained
Instructions
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With your mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth.
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Fold in half of the dried beef. Fold in the dill pickles.
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Wrap the mixture, formed into a ball, in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
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Roll in remaining chopped dried beef to coat the outside.
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Serve with crackers.