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 2-¼ cups chopped cooked shrimp.
Enjoy!
More Shrimp Appetizers You’ll Love
Shrimp Cheese Ball
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
Description
This easy and flavorful Shrimp Cheese Ball is always a crowd-pleasing appetizer!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined*
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup minced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1–½ teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt (more or less, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- â…” 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 ¼-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 2-¼ 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.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Saute
- Cuisine: American
Elaine
My family loved this cheese ball. It went over well at our family dinner on Thanksgiving.
Thanks Amy!
Jo Mason
Very Tasty Shrimp Ball and easy to prepare in advance . Kids coming home to Coast for the Holidays. I’m sure they’ll love it, that is if any is left!