Our Favorite Holiday Cheese Ball Recipe

This holiday cheese ball has been a staple in my family’s kitchen for as long as I can remember. The recipe originally came from the family of one of my mom’s close friends, and we’ve been making it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and just about every holiday gathering ever since.

It’s one of those appetizers everyone looks forward to, and it simply wouldn’t feel like the holidays without it. In fact, it’s probably one of our most requested recipes, and I’ve lost count of how many times someone has asked for it.

I especially love serving it at Christmas. The red chipped beef, fresh green onions, and white cream cheese give it the prettiest festive colors without any extra decorating.

I’ve seen plenty of cheese balls rolled in chopped pecans, pomegranate seeds, or shredded cheese, but we’ve never felt the need to change ours. It’s simple, delicious, and exactly how we’ve loved it for years.

Holiday Cheese Ball Recipe

A creamy, savory holiday appetizer made with cream cheese, smoked beef, green onions, and a few simple seasonings. Perfect for making ahead and serving at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1–2 hours
Yield: 1 large cheese ball

Ingredients

• 3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 small bunch green onions, finely chopped
• 2 packages chipped beef (dried beef) finely chopped — such as Armour or Carson’s
• 1 teaspoon Lawry’s seasoned salt
• 1 tablespoon Accent seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

A Note on Chipped Beef

Chipped beef can be a little tricky to find at the grocery store! I’ve had luck looking near the bacon and other packaged meats, but if you can’t find it, I recommend asking a store employee.

I’ve used both Armour Dried Beef, which comes in a glass jar, and Carson’s Dried Beef, which comes in an orange package. Both work well in this recipe, so use whichever you can find!

I’ve included photographs of both below to make them easier to spot while shopping.v

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the chopped green onions, smoked beef, seasoned salt, Accent seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
4. Cover and refrigerate for 1–2 hours, or until firm enough to shape.
5. Using clean hands or plastic wrap, shape the mixture into a ball and transfer to a serving platter.
6. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

How to Serve

We always serve our holiday cheese ball with Carr’s Table Water Crackers. Their delicate crunch and mild flavor make them the perfect pairing without overpowering the cheese ball.

Arrange the crackers around the cheese ball on a serving platter, or serve them separately alongside it.

A Thoughtful Homemade Christmas Gift

One of our favorite things to do during the holidays is make a few extra cheese balls to give away. We’ll often send family members home with one of their own or wrap them up as little Christmas gifts for friends.

Simply shape the cheese ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and tie a festive ribbon around it, curling the ends for a pretty finishing touch. It’s such an easy, thoughtful homemade gift, especially for someone who already knows and loves the recipe.

Keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to give it away, and remind the recipient to refrigerate it when they get home. For gifting, I also like the idea of including a package of Carr’s Table Water Crackers.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

Make it ahead: Prepare the cheese ball the day before your gathering, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Storage: Keep covered in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3–4 days, provided the ingredients were fresh when prepared. Refrigerate promptly after serving.

Serving tip: For the prettiest presentation, shape the cheese ball with plastic wrap and smooth the surface before transferring it to your favorite holiday platter.

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All in All

Some recipes are worth keeping just the way they are, and this is certainly one of them. I hope it becomes as much of a holiday favorite in your home as it has been in ours.