Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
This Dill Pickle Cheese Ball is a creamy, tangy appetizer loaded with chopped dill pickles, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and fresh herbs. Perfect for holidays, game day parties, potlucks, and entertaining, this easy make-ahead appetizer is a must for pickle lovers. Serve with crackers, pretzels, or fresh vegetables for a crowd-pleasing snack everyone will rave about.
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 1½ cup sharp cheddar cheese finely grated (yellow cheddar or white cheddar)
- 1 cup dill pickles finely chopped and patted dry
- 2 tbsp pickle juice
- 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
For Rolling
- ½ cup dill pickles finely chopped and patted dry
- 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- shredded cheddar cheese finely grated
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped dill pickles, pickle juice, fresh dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Stir until fully combined and creamy.
- Place the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap and shape into a ball.
- Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- While the cheese ball is firming up, chop the pickles and pat them dry. Leave them to dry on a paper towel to absorb all the moisture.
- Roll the cheese ball in additional chopped pickles, fresh dill, and optional cheddar cheese.
- Transfer to a serving plate and serve with crackers, pretzels, vegetables, or bagel chips.
Reserve a few so you can fill in any holes, and this is also a food photographer's secret for a magazine-worthy presentation!
Notes
Notes
- Patting the pickles dry helps prevent a soft or watery cheese ball.
- For even more dill flavor, add an additional teaspoon of pickle juice.
- Make up to 2 days in advance for easy entertaining.
- Let sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for easier spreading.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 12 servings):- Calories: 205
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 52mg
- Sodium: 420mg
- Potassium: 95mg
- Calcium: 165mg
- Vitamin A: 12% DV
- Vitamin C: 2% DV