Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
This easy cheese ball combines the salty, briny flavor of dill pickles with cheddar cheese, bacon, and salami, all mixed together with soft cream cheese.
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Table of Contents
- About Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
- What’s in a dill pickle cheese ball?
- Can you use precooked bacon?
- Can you coat the outside?
- What can you serve with a cheese ball?
- How long can you leave out a cheese ball?
- Can you make a cheese ball in advance?
- How long is a cheese ball good for?
- Notes & tips for dill pickle cheese ball
- More delicious party dips
- Other fun cheese balls
- How to make a dill pickle cheese ball
- Recipe Details
About Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
Perfect for all the dill pickle fans out there, this easy cheese ball combines the crisp and briny goodness of dill pickles with savory bacon, chopped salami, cheddar cheese, and green onion, all wrapped up in flavored cream cheese.
It’s a fun party appetizer that’s fun to pair with all types of chips and vegetables for dipping.
What’s in a dill pickle cheese ball?
To whip up a party-friendly cheese ball, you’ll need the following:
- Cream cheese – Creates the creamy base of the cheese ball.
- Green onion – Adds flavor and a tiny bit of crunch.
- Salami and bacon – Brings some delicious savory flavor.
- Dill pickles – The star of the show! Delicously crisp, salty, and briny.
- Cheddar cheese – Because every self-respecting cheese ball needs some cheese. Feel free to use whatever type of cheese you’d like, but medium or mild cheddar cheese is recommended.
- Dill weed and onion powder – A few extra spices for flavoring.
Can you use precooked bacon?
Yes, you can totally use precooked bacon. However, this recipe works best when the bacon is crispy, and sometimes precooked bacon can be a little soft. Check the package for microwaving instructions, as this should help zap some crispiness back into the bacon.
Can you coat the outside?
This cheese ball is served “naked” – meaning, there isn’t a coating on the outside and you can clearly see all the delicious cream cheese and sliced dill pickles.
But if you’d like to coat the outside for some added texture, consider rolling the finished cheese ball in any (or many) the following after it’s been chilled:
- Chopped nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, etc.
- Crumbled crackers, like Ritz, saltines, or pita chips.
- More crumbled bacon.
- More chopped green onion.
- Herbs and spices such as fresh dill, parsley, or cilantro.
What can you serve with a cheese ball?
When it comes to party dips, there are so many fun options for dipping! I tend to think a good, firm cracker works best for cheese balls, but you could use a variety of firm veggies or baked breads as well.
Try any (or many) of the options below and see which you like best:
- Pita chips
- Ritz crackers
- Saltine crackers
- Wheat thins
- Crispy baked bread
- Sliced cucumbers
- Pretzels
- Celery sticks
- Carrots, large sliced or baby
- Tortilla chips
- Sliced squash
- Sliced zucchini
How long can you leave out a cheese ball?
This is one of my least asked questions, but it’s also one of the things I see other party hosts not keeping a close enough eye on. Because whenever you serve a dip for your guests to enjoy, you should always keep track of how long it sits at room temperature.
For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone”, this is usually at or just above room temperature. This cheese ball will still be a little chilled when served, and this should give you an extra 30 minutes beyond the two-hour window, depending on the temperature of the room and how long ago the cheese ball left the refrigerator.
As the party goes on, you can return the cheese ball to the refrigerator once you get past the two-hour mark. If there’s still more cheese ball to enjoy, let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before bringing it back out again.
Can you make a cheese ball in advance?
Yes, you totally can! In fact, they’re ideal for prepping ahead.
Just follow the recipe directions as written and stop once you’ve wrapped the cheese ball in plastic wrap. From there, you can store the cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.
How long is a cheese ball good for?
How long a cheese ball keeps typically depends on the fillings within it. This particular cheese ball contains pickles, which will slowly release moisture over time, possibly watering down or changing the consistency of the cream cheese.
Because of this, I’d recommend storing a dill pickle cheese ball in the refrigerator for no longer than two to three days.
Notes & tips for dill pickle cheese ball
- For preparing and storing a cheese ball, make sure you have some plastic wrap on hand. It makes a huge difference!
More delicious party dips
Other fun cheese balls
How to make a dill pickle cheese ball
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 – In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together the following ingredients: cream cheese, green onion, salami, cheddar cheese, pickles, bacon, dill weed, and onion powder.
Step 2 – Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap, then scoop the cheese ball mixture into the center. Lift up the sides of the plastic wrap to completely cover the mixture, forming it into a ball shape.
Step 3 – Transfer the cheese ball to the fridge to chill for a few hours.
Step 4 – Unwrap the cheese ball onto a serving plate and surround it with chips and veggies to dip with.
Step 5 – Serve and enjoy!
Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup chopped green onion
- 1 cup diced salami
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 5 dill pickles, diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (roughly 1/2 cup)
- pita chips, for dipping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the cream cheese, green onion, salami, cheddar cheese, pickles, bacon, dill weed, and onion powder. Use a spatula to gently but thoroughly mix all ingredients together.16 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup chopped green onion, 1 cup diced salami, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 5 dill pickles, 8 slices bacon, 1 teaspoon dried dill weed, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Lay out a piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface, then scoop the cheese ball mixture in the center. Pull up the sides of the plastic wrap to cover the cheese mixture, confining it to the middle. Once completely wrapped in plastic, use your hands to smooth the cheese into a ball shape. If needed, use a second piece of plastic wrap to secure the ends.
- Place wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator until firm, at least 2 to 3 hours.
- When ready to serve, unwrap cheese ball and place on a serving plate. Surround with pita chips or other items of your choice for dipping.pita chips
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.
