Dried Beef and Chives Cheese Ball

Chopped dried beef and the flowering top of chives mixed into softened cream cheese with garlic powder and parsley is this Dried Beef and Chives Cheese Ball recipe. This savory appetizer is great for summer parties, potlucks, and BBQs.

Cheese balls are a classic appetizer for holidays and parties. This dried beef and chive cheese ball has simple flavors and the fun visual appeal of chive flowers. Chives are herbs in the onion family. However, the flowers of chives are delicate, with just a touch of onion flavor. The chive flower flavor is subtle and not overwhelmingly tart, making this a kid-friendly cheese ball.

Our family loves cheese balls and would be perfectly happy snacking on them 24/7. However, that would be bad for our health. Right?!?! Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. That being said, seeing the first blooms of summer with the reawaking of chives and their gorgeous flowers is reason enough to celebrate! The tiny, purple blooms of chives mixed with the classic flavors of savory beef and parsley make this a fun and festive cheese ball perfect for the beginning of summer!

How to Make Dried Beef and Chives Cheese Ball

This is an easy cheese ball recipe. Simply cream the softened cream cheese with the spices and then fold in the chopped beef and chives. That’s it—you have a quick snack or side for parties!

Ingredients to an Easy Dried Beef and Chives Cheese Ball

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • Softening cream cheese to room temperature ensures that when mixed, the cream cheese is smooth and silky. There will be little to no clumps in the cream cheese when it is properly softened.
• 8 ounces dried beef, finely chopped
  • We like to use the Budding Dried Beef. Use a food processor to finely chop dried beef quickly for cheese balls. On high, it takes less than 30 seconds to chop. The hardest part is cleaning the food processor.
• 2 teaspoons Accent
  • Accent is a popular food flavor enhancer found in most groceries.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 Tablespoons parsley
• 6 Tablespoons chive flowers, rinsed and dried
  • One chive flower top equals roughly 1 Tablespoon of chive flowers. Start by pulling the flowers from the tops, rinse with fresh water in a strainer, and then let air dry. Since chives seem to come up abundantly, I prefer rinse and dry a couple more flower tops for garnish than needed.
  • We often use a tea towel to dry delicate vegetables like chive flowers and chopped lettuce. To dry the flowers with a tea towel, lay the towel flat and place the rinsed flowers on top. Gather all the sides together so the flowers are in a ball in the middle of the tea towel, and spin the towel in a vertical circle so all the water comes off. This is best done outside, or the house will get wet spots.
  • I love onion flavors and really enjoy the fresh kick of chives, so for more onion and tangy flavors, try covering the set cheese ball in chopped chives and chive flowers.

Instructions to Dried Beef and Chives Cheese Ball

Making a Simple Cheese Ball: In a medium to large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream, Accent, garlic powder, and parsley with an electric hand-held or stand mixer.

Then, finely chop the dried beef with a food processor.

Next, mix in the chopped dried beef with the cream cheese and gently fold in 4 Tablespoons of the chive flowers.

How to Form a Cheese Ball: Place the thoroughly mixed cheese ball on a large piece of plastic wrap that has been fitted over a soup/cereal bowl and sprinkled with a few chive flowers. Then, gather all the edges to the center and tighten the plastic to form the cheese into a ball form. Chill the cheese ball for at least one hour in the refrigerator. Remove the plastic wrap from the chees ball and place the cheese ball on a flat serving tray or cutting board. Garnish with the extra chive flowers. Serve chilled with crackers and pretzel crisps. Enjoy!

Try rolling your cheese ball in chopped chives or more beautiful chive flowers for more onion flavor.

What to serve with Dried Beef and Chive Cheese Ball

Cheese balls are best spread over crackers. Some people keep it light and like a little cheese ball on their crackers, while some people like to pile it on and like a little cracker with a cheese ball. Either way, crackers are a great way to enjoy cheese balls. Butter round crackers and club crackers work great, but any sturdy cracker will do. We also love it on pretzel crisps and pita crackers too.

How to Store Leftover Cheese Ball

Store leftover cheese balls in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.

Make-Ahead Cheese Ball

This Dried Beef and Chive Cheese Ball is a great make-ahead appetizer. Making it ahead gives the flavors time to blend and sets the cheese ball. Then remove the plastic wrap, place it on a serving board with crackers and crisps, and enjoy! This will save time on the day of the party.

Other Great Recipes

This Bowtie Pasta Salad with bacon and broccoli covered in creamy homemade sauce is both sweet and savory! It’s an easy pasta salad recipe for summer parties and potlucks.

Chicken Salad is a great summer recipe for a quick and filling lunch! With savory cooked chicken, crisp celery, sweet grapes, and tangy red onion all coated in a creamy homemade dressing, this easy chicken salad recipe is a burst of flavors and textures everyone will love!

Easy, sweet treats for busy days and last-minute parties are a must for moms who are constantly on the go. Our Rice Krispies Treats Recipe, No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars, and Yummy Puppy Chow are family favorites. They are kid-friendly, travel well, and much enjoyed by all!