Zesty Crab Cheese Ball
This Zesty Crab Cheese Ball is a delightful blend of creamy and tangy flavors, perfect for gatherings and parties. Combining succulent crabmeat with a rich cream cheese base and kick of horseradish, this appetizer is sure to impress your guests. Ideal for spreading on crackers or fresh vegetable sticks, this recipe offers an exciting appetizer that's easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cream Cheese
8 ounces (softened)
Prepared Horseradish
2 tablespoons
Ketchup
1 tablespoon
Onion
2 teaspoons (finely chopped)
Worcestershire Sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons
Lemon Juice
1 teaspoon (fresh)
Crabmeat
6 ounces (drained and flaked)
Hot Pepper Sauce
to taste
Instructions
1
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, prepared horseradish, ketchup, finely chopped onions, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh lemon juice.
2
Using a hand mixer or spatula, blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
3
Carefully fold in the drained and flaked crabmeat, stirring gently to combine without breaking up the crab too much.
4
Taste the mixture and adjust the heat with a few dashes of hot pepper sauce, mixing well.
5
Once combined, shape the mixture into a ball, and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
6
Refrigerate the crab ball for at least 6 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
7
Before serving, remove from the refrigerator, and let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature for easier spreading.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Zesty Crab Cheese Ball?
A Zesty Crab Cheese Ball is a creamy appetizer made from cream cheese, crabmeat, and various seasonings like horseradish and Worcestershire sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients used in this recipe.
What are the primary ingredients?
The main ingredients include cream cheese, prepared horseradish, ketchup, onion, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, crabmeat, and hot pepper sauce.
Is this recipe easy to prepare?
Yes, it is considered an easy recipe that involves simple mixing, folding, and chilling.
How much cream cheese do I need?
You will need 8 ounces of softened cream cheese for the base.
What type of crabmeat should I use?
The recipe calls for 6 ounces of crabmeat, which should be drained and flaked.
How long should the cheese ball be refrigerated?
It should be refrigerated for at least 6 hours, or ideally overnight, to let the flavors develop.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, it is an ideal make-ahead appetizer because it requires several hours of chilling.
What provides the zesty flavor in this dish?
The zestiness comes from the combination of prepared horseradish, lemon juice, and hot pepper sauce.
How do I serve the Zesty Crab Cheese Ball?
It is best served with crackers or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping.
Do I need to let it sit out before serving?
Yes, remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving so it is soft enough to spread.
How should the onion be prepared?
The 2 teaspoons of onion should be finely chopped.
Is the crabmeat mixed in with a hand mixer?
No, the crabmeat should be carefully folded in by hand to avoid breaking up the flakes.
Can I adjust the spiciness?
Yes, you can adjust the heat by adding more or less hot pepper sauce to taste.
What is the purpose of the plastic wrap?
The plastic wrap is used to help shape the mixture into a ball and keep it tight while it sets in the fridge.
What category of food does this fall under?
This recipe is classified as an appetizer and a party food.
Does this recipe contain seafood?
Yes, it contains crabmeat as a primary ingredient.
Is lemon juice required?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice is used to add a bright, tangy flavor.
How much horseradish is used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of prepared horseradish.
Can I use this as a spread?
Absolutely, it is designed to be a spreadable appetizer for crackers and veggies.
What kind of texture does the cheese ball have?
It has a rich and creamy texture with succulent flakes of crabmeat throughout.
Is Worcestershire sauce necessary?
Yes, 1 1/2 teaspoons are added to enhance the depth of flavor.
What if I don't have a hand mixer?
You can use a spatula to blend the cream cheese and flavorings until smooth.
Does the recipe include salt?
The recipe does not specify added salt, as ingredients like Worcestershire sauce and ketchup often provide enough sodium.
Can I serve this at a party?
Yes, it is specifically described as being perfect for gatherings, parties, and entertaining.
How much ketchup is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of ketchup.
Is the crabmeat fresh or canned?
The recipe specifies drained and flaked crabmeat, which can be either fresh or high-quality canned crab.
Does this recipe have any nutritional information provided?
No, specific calorie, fat, or protein counts are not listed in this raw data.
Is the cream cheese used cold?
No, the cream cheese should be softened first to ensure a smooth blend.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to combine the softened cream cheese, horseradish, ketchup, onions, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice in a bowl.