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 Cheese Ball

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

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Description

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

Scale

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

Instructions

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.
Drain off juices (if any) and transfer to a plate to cool.
Chop shrimp into about 1/4-inch pieces.
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.
Transfer cheese mixture to a plate and form into a ball.
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).
Serve with crackers.

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