These beef and onion cheese balls are so simple and easy to make and feature the classic flavor of cooked, seasoned ground beef, but are presented as cute, cheesy little parcels! The recipe makes around 25 balls, and the nutritional info is calculated as 1 serving being 3 balls per person (excluding the gluten-free crackers). Enjoy!
Chef Tips:
- Frying ground beef until golden and caramelized is important to achieve maximum flavor. Equally important (and especially for this recipe) is using a wooden spoon to break the mince up as it cooks.
- I drain the excess fat and moisture from the cooked beef mixture because it helps the texture and mouthfeel of the end result.
- These little cheesy beef balls can be popped into the mouth as is, but they do make a lovely spread over gluten-free crackers. They spread easier if they are not served completely chilled, so they are best served at room temperature or soon after making.
Yield: Makes approx. 25
Beef & Onion Cheese Balls
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
15 minutes
Total Time:
25 minutes
This recipe is very easy to make to serve at any social gathering or as an appetizer. You’ll love these creamy, salty, and savory little morsels. Serve them with fresh veggies, pork rinds, or gluten-free crackers.
Ingredients
- 2 TB olive oil
- 1/4 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- 18 oz ground beef (we use Butcher Box meat)
- 1 TB Worcestershire sauce
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 8.8 oz full-fat cream cheese, stirred well until loose and soft
- Several pinches of cayenne pepper
- Gluten-free crackers, pork rinds, or fresh veggies, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan or wok and cook the onion and garlic over medium heat until softened, approx. 6-7 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and increase the heat to high. Use a wooden spoon to break the mince up so that it cooks and browns evenly.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Once caramelized, transfer the mixture to a large sieve or strainer set over a bowl and allow all the excess fat and moisture to drain off. Leave the mixture to cool for at least 15 minutes. (You can discard the drained grease.)
- Tip the drained mince mixture into a bowl and add the cream cheese. Stir well to combine very well.
- Use a dessert spoon or scooper to form around 25 little, even-sized balls from the mixture (around the size of a ping pong ball). Use clean hands to roll each one smoothly and round.
- Scatter over a pinch of cayenne pepper and serve as part of your party or serving platter with gluten-free crackers. Yum!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
25Serving Size:
1 (3 balls)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 180mgCarbohydrates: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 13g