Dill Pickle Cheese Ball

I have all kinds of dill pickle recipes, ranging from actual dill pickles - my Homemade Dill Pickles and my Hoppy IPA Pickles - to easy appetizer appetizers that pickle lovers all adore - Dill Pickle Cream Cheese Dip (Based on Philly Dill Pickle Dip!), Dill Pickle Waffle Fries.

I’ve got recipes for Creamy Dill Pickle Coleslaw and an amazing deep dish Gluten Free Dill Pickle Pizza ... and get a little unhinged with my Dill Pickle Gummy Worms recipe

... trust me, it somehow works!

See, this would make a delicious appetizer for the big game day, but now it’s June. Whoops. There’s always next year, right?

Anyway, this is a fun way to serve up some creamy cheese goodness. The base is cream cheese, pickles, and cheddar cheese, which is just a fantastic combination.

It’s further flavoured with pickle juice, fresh dill, dried onion (which helps soak up the pickle juice!), and garlic, rounding it out perfectly.

This is definitely a make-ahead recipe, as you’ll want to leave plenty of time for the cheese mixture to firm it up.

Make the base a day or two ahead of your next party, then roll it up the next day - your guests will love it!

Anyway, let’s look at what ingredients you’ll need...

Ingredients

This dill pickle cheese ball recipe uses just a few simple ingredients - if you don’t already have them on hand, you won’t have any trouble finding what you need in pretty much any grocery store.

As always, I have a few ingredient notes for you:

Dill Pickles

The one real thing I have to say here is to just use whatever pickles you like. This is the foundational ingredient in terms of flavour, with both the pickles and pickle juice / pickle brine being used!

If you want to use homemade pickles, go for it! I recommend my Homemade Dill Pickles, obviously 🙂

Another thing: Moisture is a big issue - it’s a delicate balance of getting enough pickle flavour, without making your cheese mixture soupy.

If you have any doubts about your ability to get the excess liquid out of your chopped pickles, either cut back your pickle brine to start, or skip it entirely. See where your texture is at after chilling, and add more if you like.

It’s a lot easier to add a bit more liquid, than to rescue a watery cheese ball!

Cream Cheese

Not a lot here to say, just 3 notes:

1. You’ll need to use the brick style cream cheese, not the spreadable or whipped cream cheese types. Brick will set up into a proper cheese ball, but whipped and spreadable cream cheese varieties will not.

2. I recommend using full fat cream cheese, for the best flavour and texture.

3. It’s best to start with room temperature cream cheese, when blending the ingredients.

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

I love cheddar with pickles, but don’t feel like you HAVE to use it. Monterrey Jack, Marble Jack, Colby Jack, etc are all great options as well.

Serving Ingredients

While it’s not part of the recipe itself, you’ll want to have some crackers and pita chips on hand, for serving.

As a low carb option, cucumber or zucchini slices can take the place of crackers.

Everything Else

Rounding out this recipe, you will need:

Ground Black Pepper
Dried Onion Flakes
Garlic Powder
Fresh Dill
Salt

... and - as usual - I don’t have anything else to add, as far as these last few ingredients go. Pretty basic stuff!

How to Make a Dill Pickle Cheese Ball

The full recipe is in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, here is a pictorial walk through:

In a large bowl - using a hand mixer - beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add dill pickle brine, continue beating until well incorporated.

Spread the chopped pickles out between layers of paper towels, and press to absorb as much liquid as possible. If you don’t, your cheese ball won’t set firm enough!

Combine cream cheese mixture with the chopped pickles and remaining cheese ball ingredients, stirring well to combine - I like to use a rubber spatula for this.

Season cheese ball mixture with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for an hour or so, until it firms up a bit.

Using clean wet hands, form the cheese mixture into a ball shape, place in the middle of the plastic wrap.

Gather the plastic wrap up around the ball of cheese, securing at the top with a twist tie, elastic, or twine if needed.

Chill for at least two hours.

Immediately before serving:

Combine remaining shredded cheese and dill in a shallow bowl.

Remove cheese ball from the fridge. Carefully peel off the plastic wrap, place the cheese ball in the bowl of cheese and dill.

Gently pack the shredded cheese mixture over the exposed surface of the entire cheese ball.

Leftovers

Leftovers can be wrapped in plastic wrap - or transferred to an airtight container - and stored in the fridge for a week or so.

Looking for More Recipes for "The Big Game"?

... or other watching party, or just to up your snack food game for the hell of it? I've got you covered with the BEST Super Bowl Party food ideas!

40+ Fantastic Wing Recipes
Ahi Tuna Nachos
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Armadillo Eggs
Baked Reuben Poppers
Beer Pretzels with Jalapeno Jack Dip
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Dip
Colourful Coleslaw
Dill Pickle Cream Cheese Dip
Easy Smoked Cream Cheese
Fat Elvis Cupcakes
Football Soft Pretzel Bites
Game Day Popcorn
Ginger Wasabi Dip
Gluten Free Fried Chicken
Gluten-Free Pasta Salad
Gluten Free Pizza Bites
Hot Cheeseburger Dip
Hot Smoked Bacon Jalapeno Poppers
How to Cook Perogies in an Air Fryer
Jalapeno Artichoke "Backfire" Dip
Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Pretzels
Keto Fried Chicken
Keto Mozzarella Sticks
Loaded Baked Potato Skins
Loaded Pierogi Nachos
Muffaletta Skewers
Peanut Jalapeno Beer Brittle
Pierogi Pizza
Porter House Guacamole
Porter's Epic Popcorn
Queso Dip from Scratch
Sauerkraut Buns - Piroshki
Smoked Cheese Balls
Smoked French Fries
Super Bowl Charcuterie Board