Spicy Southwest Cheese Ball
This Spicy Southwest Cheese Ball is a simple no-cook appetizer made with cream cheese, chopped New Mexico pecans and SANTA FE SEASONS Chef’s Especial BBQ Rub & Seasoning.
The seasoning adds savory Southwest flavor, warm spice and smoky depth to the cream cheese. A coating of chopped pecans adds texture and gives the finished cheese ball a distinctive New Mexico touch.
Southwest Cheese Ball Recipe Details
Chilling time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cooking method: No-cook
Cuisine: Southwestern
The original recipe does not provide a serving yield or active preparation time.
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons SANTA FE SEASONS Chef’s Especial BBQ Rub & Seasoning
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12 ounces cream cheese, softened
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1/2 cup chopped New Mexico pecans
How to Make a Spicy Southwest Cheese Ball
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Place the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl.
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Add two tablespoons of SANTA FE SEASONS Chef’s Especial BBQ Rub & Seasoning.
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Mix until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese.
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Shape the seasoned cream cheese into a ball.
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Refrigerate the cheese ball for 30 minutes.
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Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and roll it in the chopped New Mexico pecans until completely coated.
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Cover the pecan-coated cheese ball with wax paper.
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Refrigerate it for an additional hour.
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Serve the chilled cheese ball with a vegetable platter, crackers or toasted baguette.
Tips for Shaping and Coating the Cheese Ball
Allow the cream cheese to soften enough that the seasoning can be mixed into it evenly. The cream cheese should be soft but not melted.
Finely chopping the pecans will make it easier to create an even coating. Spread the chopped pecans across a plate or shallow dish and gently roll or press the chilled cheese ball into them.
Do not skip the first 30-minute chilling period. It firms the cream cheese and makes the ball easier to coat without losing its shape.
The original New Mexico pecan coating is the only coating specified by the verified recipe. No unverified substitute ingredients have been added.
Can This Cheese Ball Be Made Ahead?
This Southwest cheese ball works well for same-day preparation because the recipe already requires two chilling periods totaling 90 minutes.
Complete the recipe through the pecan-coating step, cover it with wax paper and keep it refrigerated until serving. Add the vegetable platter, crackers or toasted baguette shortly before presenting the appetizer.
How to Store the Cheese Ball
Keep the cheese ball covered and refrigerated until it is time to serve. Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a covered container.
Because this is a dairy-based appetizer, it should not remain at room temperature for more than two hours—or one hour when the temperature is above 90°F—according to USDA food-safety guidance.
The original recipe does not provide a maximum refrigerated storage period, so no unsupported storage duration has been added.
What Is Chef’s Especial Seasoning?
SANTA FE SEASONS Chef’s Especial BBQ Rub & Seasoning is a Southwest-inspired seasoning made for grilling, roasting and everyday cooking.
Its savory, earthy and smoky flavor makes it useful beyond traditional barbecue. In this recipe, the seasoning turns softened cream cheese into a simple Southwestern party appetizer without requiring several separate spices.
More Southwestern Appetizer Recipes
For another cream cheese-based appetizer, try Spicy Cranberry Dip.
You can also serve Easy Turkey Cranberry Sliders or Chipotle Shrimp Cocktail Sauce as part of a larger Southwestern appetizer spread.
Browse the complete Taste New Mexico recipe collection for more appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, sauces and desserts.
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