Poko'S Cheese Ball
A creamy, cheesy cheese ball infused with peppers, green onions, and pecans, perfect for parties and spreads, offering a savory, crunchy, and flavorful appetizer experience.
Ingredients
- 8 oz soft cream cheese ⓘ
- 1 block mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1 block cheddar cheese ⓘ
- 1 hot pepper ⓘ
- 1 bunch green onions ⓘ
- 1 green pepper ⓘ
- 3 stalks celery
- 1 jar diced pimiento ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- 2/3 tsp garlic powder ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- mayonnaise ⓘ
- ranch dressing ⓘ
- thousand island or bacon tomato dressing ⓘ
- pecan pieces ⓘ
Instructions
- Grate the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
- Grate the hot pepper.
- Blend the grated cheeses and hot pepper until smooth by hand.
- Dice the green onions, green pepper, and celery into small pieces.
- Add the diced pimiento and salt to taste.
- Add garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce.
- Blend the mixture with the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add mayonnaise and ranch dressing to the mixture.
- Add thousand island or bacon tomato dressing until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Shape the mixture into a ball and roll in pecan pieces.
- Chill the cheese ball before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider adding a bit more mayonnaise or ranch dressing if desired. If you're looking for a spicier kick, try using jalapeños instead of hot pepper. You can also substitute the cheddar with a smoked cheese for a different flavor profile. If you prefer a vegetarian option, omit the Worcestershire sauce or use a vegetarian alternative.
Serving Suggestions
This cheese ball is perfect for parties or game days. Serve it with an assortment of crackers, fresh vegetable sticks, or toasted baguette slices. It pairs beautifully with American recipes like Southern Granola or even as a tangy addition to a cheese platter. Consider adding a side of spicy mustard for extra flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To maintain freshness, keep the cheese ball wrapped tightly. If you want to serve it again, simply remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly for easier spreading.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Poko'S Cheese Ball contains roughly 770 calories, with 20g protein, 29g carbohydrates, and 66g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (41% of the Daily Value), calcium (34% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2022mg per serving (88% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cheese ball ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cheese ball a day in advance. Just shape it and roll it in pecans, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. This allows the flavors to meld together nicely and makes it convenient for last-minute gatherings.
What can I use instead of pecans?
If you don’t have pecans or prefer a different nut, walnuts or almonds work well as substitutes. You can also use crushed pretzels for a crunchy texture without the nuts, making it suitable for nut-free diets.
How can I modify this recipe for a low-carb diet?
To make this cheese ball low-carb, reduce the amount of Worcestershire sauce as it may contain sugar. You can also skip the dressing or find low-carb alternatives. Serve it with low-carb vegetables like cucumber slices or bell pepper strips instead of crackers.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).