Dill Pickle Cheese Ball

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Dill Pickle Cheese Ball is a creamy, cheesy party appetizer loaded with tangy dill pickles, sharp cheddar cheese, green onions and fresh dill.

This easy no bake cheese ball is coated in crispy bacon pieces, fresh dill and green onions for an extra burst of flavour in every bite.

Perfect for holiday parties, game day gatherings and potlucks, this crowd-pleasing appetizer takes just 15 minutes to prepare.

Serve this bacon dill pickle cheese ball with crackers, pretzels or fresh veggies for a delicious party snack that pickle lovers won't be able to resist.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• Quick and Easy Prep – Just 15 minutes of hands-on prep time before it goes into the fridge to chill.
• No Baking Required – This easy no bake appetizer doesn't require an oven or any cooking.
• Great for Making Ahead – Prepare this cheese ball in advance and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to serve.
• Perfect for Parties – A crowd-pleasing appetizer for Christmas parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, game day celebrations and potlucks.
• Simple Ingredients – Made with easy-to-find ingredients you can grab at any grocery store.
• Feeds a Crowd – This generous cheese ball serves 8–12 people, making it ideal for entertaining.
• Easy to Customize – Switch up the shredded cheese, add some heat with jalapeños or experiment with different coatings.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Cream Cheese – Two 8 oz blocks of cream cheese, softened to room temperature. This creates the rich, creamy base of the cheese ball and helps it hold its shape once chilled.
• Mayonnaise – Adds extra creaminess and helps create a smooth, spreadable texture.
• Pickle Juice – Adds a tangy dill pickle flavour throughout the cheese ball. Use the juice straight from your jar of dill pickles.
• Garlic Powder – Adds a subtle savoury flavour that complements the cheese and pickles.
• Cheddar Cheese – Finely shredded cheddar cheese adds a delicious sharp, cheesy flavour. Sharp cheddar works especially well in this recipe.
• Dill Pickles – Finely chopped dill pickles add tangy flavour and little bits of crunch throughout the cheese ball.
• Green Onions – Diced green onions add a mild onion flavour and a pop of freshness.
• Fresh Dill – Chopped fresh dill enhances the pickle flavour and adds a fresh, herby taste.
• Bacon Pieces – Crispy cooked bacon pieces add a smoky, salty flavour and crunchy texture to the outside of the cheese ball.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don't miss out on any important tips and tricks!

Step By Step Instructions

 STEP 1: 

I chopped green onions, fresh dill and pickles.

 STEP 2: 

I dropped softened cream cheese, mayo, pickle juice and garlic powder into a large mixing bowl.

I used an electric mixer to cream the ingredients together.

 STEP 3: 

I added shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, pickles and dill to the bowl and continued mixing.

 STEP 4: 

I formed the mixture into a ball and placed it on a plate.

 STEP 5: 

I poured bacon pieces, chopped green onions and fresh dill into a small bowl and stirred them together.

 STEP 6: 

I coated the outside of the cheese ball with the bacon mixture and then placed it in the refrigerator for an hour to set.

Every bite of this Dill Pickle Cheese Ball is loaded with rich, creamy cheese, tangy dill pickles, sharp cheddar and fresh herbs, all wrapped up in a savoury, crispy bacon coating.

Spread it on a buttery cracker or scoop it up with a crunchy pretzel for an irresistible combination of creamy, crunchy, salty and tangy flavours that will keep you coming back for more!

If you are looking for the perfect party snack for dill pickle lovers, then you need to try this Dill Pickle Cheese Ball!

• Soften the Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before mixing. This makes it much easier to blend and helps prevent lumps.
• Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese: Full-fat block cream cheese gives the cheese ball the best flavour, creamy texture and firmness once chilled.
• Chop the Pickles Finely: Dice the dill pickles into small pieces so you get plenty of pickle flavour in every bite without large chunks.
• Drain Excess Pickle Liquid: After chopping your pickles, pat them dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making the cheese ball too soft.
• Shred Your Own Cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar blends more smoothly into the cream cheese mixture than pre-shredded cheese.
• Use Fresh Dill: Fresh dill gives this cheese ball a bright, herby flavour that really complements the pickles.
• Wear Gloves for Shaping: Food-safe disposable gloves make it much easier to form the cheese mixture into a ball without it sticking to your hands.
• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the cheese ball for at least one hour to allow it to firm up and make it easier to spread.
• Make It Ahead: You can prepare the cheese ball a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. For the best texture, add the bacon coating closer to serving time.

Substitutions and Variations

• Switch Up the Cheese: Replace the cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, pepper jack or a shredded Mexican cheese blend for a different flavour.
• Make It Spicy: Add finely diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce for a spicy dill pickle cheese ball.
• Use Ranch Seasoning: Mix in 1–2 teaspoons of dry ranch seasoning for a delicious dill pickle ranch cheese ball. Reduce the garlic powder if desired.
• Try Different Pickles: Use garlic dill pickles, spicy dill pickles or bread and butter pickles for a sweeter variation.
• Skip the Bacon: Leave out the bacon topping for a vegetarian-friendly version and coat the cheese ball in extra chopped dill, green onions and shredded cheddar instead.
• Add More Bacon: Stir some cooked and crumbled bacon directly into the cream cheese mixture for extra smoky, salty flavour in every bite.
• Swap the Mayonnaise: Substitute the mayonnaise with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier flavour.
• Add Chopped Pecans: Mix finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the outer coating for extra crunch and a nutty flavour.
• Use Different Herbs: Replace some of the fresh dill with chopped parsley or chives for a slightly different flavour.
• Add Everything Bagel Seasoning: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the outside of the cheese ball for extra garlic, onion and sesame flavour.
• Make Mini Cheese Balls: Instead of forming one large cheese ball, roll the mixture into individual bite-sized balls and coat each one in the bacon topping. Serve with pretzel sticks for an easy party appetizer.
• Turn It Into a Dip: Skip shaping the mixture into a ball and spread it into a shallow serving dish. Sprinkle the bacon, green onions and dill over the top for an easy dill pickle cream cheese dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Dill Pickle Cheese Ball last in the fridge?

• Store leftover cheese ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days, provided the ingredients were fresh when prepared. Keep it refrigerated between servings and avoid leaving it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Can I freeze Dill Pickle Cheese Ball?

• Freezing is not recommended because the cream cheese can become grainy and the pickles may release excess moisture when thawed. This cheese ball tastes best when freshly prepared and refrigerated.

Can I use whipped cream cheese instead of block cream cheese?

• Block cream cheese is recommended because it has a firmer texture and helps the cheese ball hold its shape. Whipped cream cheese is softer and may make the mixture difficult to shape.

Why is my cheese ball too soft?

• Your cheese ball may be too soft if the cream cheese was overly warm or the chopped pickles added too much moisture. Make sure to drain your pickles well and refrigerate the cheese ball for at least one hour before serving. If it's still too soft, chill it longer.

Dill Pickle Cheese Ball

Yield: Serves 8-12

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Dill Pickle Cheese Ball is an easy no bake appetizer made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chopped dill pickles, pickle juice, green onions and fresh dill, all coated in crispy bacon pieces.

This creamy, tangy cheese ball is the perfect make-ahead party snack for holidays, game day gatherings and potlucks, served with crackers, pretzels or fresh veggies.

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Ingredients

• 2 - 8 oz blocks cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoon pickle juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 ⅓ cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 tablespoon chopped dill pickles
• 2-3 green onions, diced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Topping

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• ⅓ cup bacon pieces
• 1 green onion, diced
• ½ tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Instructions

1. Chop the green onions, pickles, and dill.
2. Beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, pickle juice, and garlic powder in a large bowl until the mixture is fully combined.
3. Add the cheddar cheese, chopped pickles along with 2-3 diced green onions and 1 tablespoon of the chopped dill to the bowl. Mix on medium/low until combined.
4. Using gloved hands (makes it easier), form the mixture into a ball and set onto a plate, press down slightly.
5. In a small bowl, combine the bacon pieces, 1 diced green onion and ½ tablespoon of chopped dill.
6. Coat the outside of the cheese ball with the mixture.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
8. Serve with crackers, pretzels, veggies, or whatever you like.
9. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 80Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 249mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g

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