Description
Creamy dill pickle cheese ball brings zesty Polish-inspired flavors to party appetizers. Crisp herbs and tangy pickles dance with smooth cream cheese, creating a crowd-pleasing starter you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups (225 grams) chopped dill pickles
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper using a hand mixer until smooth and airy, approximately 2 minutes.
- Fold in shredded cheddar, chopped dill pickles, and fresh dill until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Create an X-shape with plastic wrap on a clean surface, then transfer the cheese mixture to the center of the wrap.
- Gather the plastic wrap edges, gently twist and shape the mixture into a compact ball, ensuring it is tightly sealed.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours to allow the cheese ball to firm up and develop robust flavors.
- Prepare the coating by spreading shredded cheddar, fresh dill, and lemon zest on a flat surface.
- Carefully unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it across the coating, pressing gently to ensure even coverage and adherence of toppings.
- Transfer the fully coated cheese ball to a serving platter, ensuring all sides are attractively garnished.
- Accompany with an assortment of crisp crackers for an elegant appetizer presentation.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother texture.
- Drain pickles thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the cheese ball soggy.
- Adjust seasoning by tasting the mixture before forming the ball, ensuring balanced flavors.
- For a low-carb version, serve with cucumber slices or celery sticks instead of crackers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 198 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg