A celebration without a cheese ball is like…well, no celebration at all! While some might argue that cake is the ultimate celebratory treat, I firmly believe that cheese is the way to go. And when it comes to cheese, a cheese ball adds an extra touch of magic to any occasion. If you’re tired of the same old cheddar cheese ball, get ready to impress your guests with this delightful Dill Pickle Cheese Ball. It’s tangy, salty, and sure to disappear in the blink of an eye!
Simple Yet Spectacular
Don’t be fooled by their impressive appearance – cheese balls are actually incredibly easy to make. The base is usually cream cheese (which is the case here), mixed with other cheeses and flavors. In this recipe, we start with cream cheese and add garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. Once that’s smooth, we throw in some fresh chopped dill, Monterey Jack cheese, and a generous helping of dill pickles. Just remember to pat the pickles dry to prevent the mixture from becoming too liquidy.
Shaping and Chilling
Transfer the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap, and shape it into a ball. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect at this stage – chilling will help refine the shape. When it’s time to serve, unwrap the ball and roll it in fresh dill, coating the outside and giving it that extra burst of flavor. Now, it’s time to dip to your heart’s content!
The Magic of Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack cheese is the ideal choice for this recipe. It doesn’t overpower the pickle flavor or compete with it. Instead, it adds just the right amount of cheesy goodness while allowing those tangy, crunchy pickles to take center stage. That’s what makes this Dill Pickle Cheese Ball truly magical!
Recipe Details
- Serves: 6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Allergens: Milk
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup dill pickles, finely chopped (you can also use dill pickle relish, drained)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
- Crackers, for serving
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Use an electric mixer to beat until smooth.
- Pat dry the pickles or relish with a paper towel and add them to the bowl. Then, add the cheese and 2 teaspoons of the dill. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a ball. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, which usually takes about 1 hour.
- When you’re ready to serve, roll the ball in the remaining dill to coat the outside. Then, simply gather your favorite crackers and get ready to enjoy!
