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    Home » Appetizers » The Cream Cheese Ball was an Easy Cocktail Party Starter

    Published: Oct 1, 2020 · Modified: Feb 26, 2022 by Kevin Mayfield · This post may contain affiliate links.

    The Cream Cheese Ball was an Easy Cocktail Party Starter

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Mid Century cocktail parties required plenty of food and drinks. This fast, fun and tasty chipped beef cream cheese ball was always the life of the party!

    Chipped Beef and Cream Cheese ball on a party platter with crackers
    Short on time? Make a snack that is long on taste!

    Get The Party Started Right

    Back in the days before an app was something on your smartphone, people crowded around the appetizer table with a cocktail in hand to mingle, talk and graze before the main meal. Or maybe they were waiting for the big game to start. It was an opportunity to talk a little shop or catch up on the latest neighborhood news. So it was important to have a well stocked appetizer table near the bar for guests to snack a little--but not too much!

    Original handwritten recipe card

    When Nancy and I got engaged, her mother gave her "THE" famous cookbook of the time so she could expand her culinary skills. Then they sat down together and wrote out many family favorite recipes and added them to the book. Many are written on local stationary that have both her and her mother's notes on them. This recipe card was one Nancy herself wrote out while her mom dictated. I remember we served this often at the holidays and at several football parties over the years -- there was never any left over. We hadn't made it for a long time, but we just revisited it recently and I was surprised to remember how good it really was!

    Simple Ingredients Make this a Go-To Appetizer

    Whether you have unexpected guests or are planning a big party, you'll appreciate how quick and easy this is to prepare with only a handful of ingredients:

    • Cream Cheese
    • Smoked, chopped, pressed beef lunchmeat (We use Buddig Beef)
    • Mayonnaise
    • Lemon Juice
    • Garlic Salt
    • Green Onions

    Tips for a Successful Cream Cheese Ball

    In just a few minutes you'll have a crowd-pleasing appetizer that will free your time to focus on the main dish or the game. Just keep these things in mind:

    • Slice the lunch meat in short, thin strips for easy mixing
    • Juice a fresh lemon rather than using bottled lemon juice for the best flavor

    What was your go-to party appetizer? Was it sour cream and onion soup mix? That one always made the mid century party circuit!

    Chipped beef and cream cheese ball appetizer on a party platter with crackers.

    The Cream Cheese Ball was an Easy Mid Century Cocktail Party Starter

    Nancy Blackstone
    These easy to make cheese ball appetizers will be an instant hit at your next mid century cocktail party.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 48 Servings on Crackers
    Calories 40 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8 ounces smoked, chopped, pressed beef lunchmeat we use Buddig Beef
    • 5-6 green onions
    • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
    • ½ teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
    • 6-10 dashes garlic salt
    • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
    • Serving crackers

    Instructions
     

    • Slice the lunch meat into thin strips
    • Cut the green onion into small slices and set aside
    • Mix all of the ingredients except the green onions and form into a ball
    • Roll the ball over the chopped green onions to cover the ball
    • Place on party platter in center and surround with crackers

    Notes

    Always try and use fresh squeezed lemon juice rather than the bottled juice for a lighter taste 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 152mgPotassium: 30mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 140IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Appetizer, Chipped Beef, Cocktail Party, cream cheese, Snack
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

    More about me →

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