Calling all dill pickle fans, this super EASY appetizer recipe is creamy, cheesy and chock full of dill pickles, dill pickle relish, and plenty of fresh dill! When you're looking for a fan FAVORITE recipe to serve at your next holiday party or event, backyard barbecue, picnic, or potluck, put this quick and simple recipe on the list!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Chill Time1 hourhr
Total Time1 hourhr10 minutesmins
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese ball appetizers, cheese ball recipe with pickles, cheese ball with pickles, dill pickle cheese ball, pickle cheese ball
Servings: 10
Calories: 242kcal
Author: Averie Sunshine
Ingredients
two 8-ounce packages cream cheesesoftened to room temp (use full fat cream cheese and not anything labeled as lite, fat free, or spreadable)
2tablespoonssour cream
1cupshredded cheddar cheeseor a similar cheese or shredded cheese blend
1cupdill picklesdiced or chopped small
¼cupdill pickle relish
3tablespoonsfresh dillfinely minced; divided
1tablespoondill flavored ranch seasoning mixor original ranch seasoning mix*
1teaspoonWorcestershire sauce
½cupshredded Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
To a large bowl, add the cream cheese, sour cream, and mix with a handheld electric mixer, large wooden spoon, or rubber spatula until smooth and combined. Tip - Make sure the cream cheese is very well softened to room temp or this will be an unnecessarily difficult task.
Place a large sheet of plastic wrap on your clean countertop, and turn the cream cheese mixture out into the center of it.
Seal the edges of it and using your hands on the outside of the plastic wrap, create a ball. This takes a little patience but use whatever technique you'd like to get the mixture into a ball shape.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. Do not skip the chilling.
Before serving, add the shredded Colby Jack and remaining 1 tablespoon fresh dill in a large, shallow bowl, and roll the chilled cheese ball through it to coat the cheese ball evenly.
Serve cheese ball with crackers, pita chips, toasted bread, or the dippers of your choice. Cheese ball will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days. I have never tried freezing it and while some people say that you can freeze cream cheese and cheese, it isn't something I personally do.
Notes
*If you can’t find the dill flavored option of classic ranch seasoning, don’t worry. Regular ranch seasoning mix is just fine. This will tone down the overall dill flavor of the cheese ball a bit, but there are still three other ingredients with dill in them so don’t worry. Make sure you are selecting dry, powdered seasoning mix and not actual ranch dressing.If you live in an area where you can’t find any type of dry powdered ranch seasoning, you can make a mixture of it with garlic and onion powders, and salt. I suggest do an online search for how to make it yourself. You are only using a tablespoon anyway.