Shrimp Cheese Ball

This easy and flavorful Shrimp Cheese Ball is always a crowd-pleasing appetizer.  It can easily be made ahead of time, too!

My mama has been making this cheese ball for as long as I can remember.  It’s always the first appetizer that goes on my plate at our annual Christmas eve dinner… I look forward to it every year!

Make-Ahead Instructions

Prepare as instructed (do not coat with chopped pecans).  Store in an airtight container (or cover in plastic wrap, then place in a resealable plastic bag) in the fridge for up to 3 days.  Coat with chopped pecans about 10 minutes before serving.

Can I Use Precooked Shrimp in this Recipe?

I prefer to cook my own shrimp, but precooked shrimp can be used.  You will need approximately 2-1/4 cups chopped cooked shrimp.

Enjoy!

More Shrimp Appetizers You’ll Love

• Shrimp Cocktail
• Shrimp Salad
• Roasted Garlic Parmesan Shrimp

Shrimp Cheese Ball

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• Author: Amy @ The Blond Cook
• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 16 servings

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Description

This easy and flavorful Shrimp Cheese Ball is always a crowd-pleasing appetizer!

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Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined*
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup minced yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1–1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (more or less, to taste)
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add shrimp and cook, stirring frequently, for approximately 4 minutes, or until shrimp have just turned pink and are opaque.
2. Drain off juices (if any) and transfer to a plate to cool.
3. Chop shrimp into about 1/4-inch pieces.
4. In a large mixing bowl, stir together chopped shrimp, cream cheese, onion, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic powder, salt and Old Bay Seasoning using a rubber spatula until well-combined.
5. Transfer cheese mixture to a plate and form into a ball.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.  Remove from refrigerator and coat with chopped pecans 10 minutes before serving (allowing time to slightly soften so it spreads easier).
7. Serve with crackers.

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Notes

• *If using pre-cooked shrimp, use 2-1/4 cups chopped shrimp.
• To make ahead:  Prepare as instructed (do not coat with chopped pecans).  Store in an airtight container (or cover in plastic wrap, then place in a resealable plastic bag) in the fridge for up to 3 days.  Remove from the fridge and coat with chopped pecans about 10 minutes before serving.
• Prep time includes time for cooked shrimp to cool and refrigeration time of 1 hour for cheese ball to firm.

• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Saute
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: shrimp cheese ball, cream cheese shrimp ball