The ultra-savory secret ingredient will surprise everyone.

It’s perhaps most well known for its starring role inCreamed Chipped Beef.

Step 1:You’ll start by mixing the cream cheese and gournay cheese with a hand mixer.

Southern Living Dried Beef Cheese Ball ready to serve with crackers

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Mix until whipped and nearly fluffy.

Step 3:Form a ball with the mixture, and set aside.

Step 4:Place the toasted pecans and remaining dried beef and parsley in a shallow bowl.

Southern Living Dried Beef Cheese Ball ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Roll the cheese ball in the pecan mixture.

Press the pecans, parsley, and beef gently into the cheese ball to help it stick.

Step 5:Place the cheese ball on a plate, and cover loosely with plastic wrap.

Dried Beef Cheese Ball

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Refrigerate until the cheese ball firms up.

When ready to serve, pull the cheese ball out, add crackers, and proudly display.

cream cheese, softened

1(5.2-oz.)

Southern Living Dried Beef Cheese Ball mixing the softened cheeses together

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Form into a ball, and set aside.

Place ball in bowl, and roll gently in pecan mixture, pressing gently to adhere.

Southern Living Dried Beef Cheese Ball adding the other ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Dried Beef Cheese Ball other ingredients mixed in to cheese mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Dried Beef Cheese Ball mixing together the ingredients to roll the cheese ball in

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Dried Beef Cheese Ball rolling the cheese ball in the other ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox