Sweet Vidalia Onions balance tangy goat cheese and fragrant basil to create an irresistible flavor combination in this Goat Cheese, Basil and Vidalia Onion Cheese Ball.

Cheese balls often only make an appearance at the holidays, which I think is a shame because who doesn’t love a good cheese ball? They are crowd-pleasing appetizers any time of year, but we think they make especially great options for football season and tailgating because they can be made ahead of time. This flavorful but simple Goat Cheese, Basil and Vidalia Onion Cheese Ball is sure to be a bit hit at your next game day party. But you need to act fast...

Why? The secret to the irresistible flavor of this cheese ball is Vidalia onions, and they are only available for a limited time every year. Vidalias are grown exclusively in Georgia where the combination of soil, water, and climate contribute to their unique sweetness. Some people claim they are so sweet you can eat them out of hand (I have never tried this), but I can vouch for their rich flavor in this Goat Cheese, Basil and Vidalia Onion Cheese Ball Recipe.

We love to scoop up this yummy cheese ball with salty, crunchy pretzel crisps, but feel free to swap in your favorite cracker. It’s equally tasty on toasted crostini, fresh baguette slices or even with carrot and celery sticks.

Tip: Caramelizing the onions takes about an hour from start to finish so plan accordingly. Don’t rush this step, or you’ll miss out on the full flavor of the onions. Feel free to make the onions a day or two earlier and pop in the fridge until ready to assemble the cheese ball.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Vidalia Onion Committee. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the organizations that make Garnish with Lemon possible.