A grocery store cheese case favorite is surprisingly simple to replicate in your home kitchen. From chips and crackers to veggies, there’s nearly nothing this creamy, flavorful Jarlsberg cheese dip won’t pair well with. It may become one of your favorite snacks. It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next gathering.
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Jarlsberg dip like Kroger
Cheese lovers who’ve shopped at the supermarket chain Kroger have likely seen the creamy, distinctive dip for sale and may have even bought it themselves for parties or snacking around the house. But if you’re looking to add some sophistication and flavor to your dip spread, you may be surprised to learn it’s a great choice to make at home, too.
Why Kroger Jarlsberg dip is so good
This quick-and-easy dip relies on the intense flavors of Jarlsberg, a wonderfully rich cheese that traces its roots to mid-20th Century Norway. Combining old-school methods with modern technology, it’s a relative of other semi-firm European cheeses like Emmentaler and Swiss. Jarlsberg is prized in both recipes and on cheese boards for its rich, mildly sweet, nutty flavor.
This simple dip contrasts these flavors with the sharpness of red onion for an incredible combination that will have you and your guests quickly coming back for another scoop.
Why you should try this recipe
It’s hard to imagine a recipe with a better ratio of flavor to simplicity. An extremely short list of ingredients and literal seconds of mixing can bring you a sophisticated party appetizer or versatile spread. It’s also highly customizable with your favorite mix-ins and flavorings.
Ingredients you will need
Thanks to the rich flavors of each, you’ll only need three simple ingredients:
- Jarlsberg cheese, fresh grated
- Mayonnaise
- Red onion, finely chopped
If you can’t find Jarlsberg, Swiss cheese will also work just as well.
How to make Jarlsberg cheese dip
Here are the super simple steps to make this delicious Jarlsberg cheese dip recipe:
- Place the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Refrigerate at least two hours to allow the flavors to develop and mingle.
Variations of this cheese spread
It’s easy to put your own twist on the versatile canvas that this dip provides. Readers have submitted ideas like:
- A dash of horseradish for a spicier kick
- A few diced fresh or pickled jalapeño peppers for even more heat
- Topped with bacon bits or sliced green onions
You can also make Kroger’s Smoked Cheese Dip!
What to serve with this easy make-ahead cheese dip
The most straightforward way to enjoy this cheese dip is with crisp crackers, thick-cut potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, or other dippable snacks.
For a low-carb, keto-friendly option, swap these out for fresh vegetables like peppers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and others.
Meanwhile, some use it as a spread for sliced baguette or other crusty bread, while others enjoy it on a baked potato like sour cream. You can even use it on a burger for a special flavor addition.
How to store cheese dip
Storing your copycat Jarlsberg dip is about as easy as it gets. Just keep it in the fridge in an airtight container. Serve it cold right out of the refrigerator, or let the dip come to room temperature.
Any leftovers that have been at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.
Freezing isn’t generally recommended, as it can negatively affect the flavor and texture. Plus, with how simple it is to make, it’s more practical just to make smaller batches more frequently for top freshness.
How long does it last?
This Kroger Jarlsberg dip is a perfect appetizer make-ahead option for parties or other events. It’ll stay good for up to a week when stored properly. This also makes it ideal for cheese lovers who enjoy keeping some of their favorite spreads around the house for quick snacks. Plus, they can feel good about the lack of additives or preservatives.
Popular dip recipes
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Cheesy appetizer recipes
Be sure to check out more of my copycat dip recipes and the best appetizer recipes for entertaining.
Jarlsberg Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 4 ounces freshly grated Jarlsberg or Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons real mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in a covered container for at least 2 hours for flavors to mingle. Serve with crackers. Will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about a week.
Love this dip. I’ve bought it for over 15 years at local Kroger’s. Always perfect. Made this recipe exactly but had a couple ounces more in my cheese block so I needed to add more Hellmans until I got to my preferred texture. Going to try the Merlot cheese idea and more mayo !
Great website. Happy Holidays !
I am so glad you enjoy the cheese!
So easy and so good!
Have tried adding red grapes (cut in half) and BoatsHead Mesquite Smojed Turkey (cut in 1/4” cubes)? It makes a great sandwich, like a chicken salad sandwich.
I haven’t tried that, but I do see how it could be good!
I went crazy for this dip. If you look at the ingr. of this dip it will show you Hellmann’s mayo. Total change in flavor.
P,S. Kroger told me they could not get the Jarlsberg cheese lately. I was stocked up with the cheese.
I am glad you liked the dip. Costco has plenty of this cheese right now, I don’t know if you have a Costco membership or not.
Costco has Jarlsburg about as cheap as you will find it. It is awesome with a little jalapeño added if you like.
I’m far from a Kroger’s but remember this fondly. Looking forward to making this tonight!!
This is the bomb diggity cheese spread of all, I used to work at Kroger years ago and I worked in the cheese shop and I was making this everyday because they had such a demand for this, it was one of our best sellers
Hi Dave, I hope one day you’ll see my question…what Mayo is used to make the Kroger Jarlesburg and Smoked Gouda dips? I have a strong feeling that this sole ingredient makes all the difference. Thanks a bunch : )
Absolutely delicious! My friend says she likes it even better than Kroger’s!
This was spot on!!! Our Kroger hasn’t been selling it for quire awhile. Now we can have it whenever we want!
Thanks
Tastes better and is cheaper than buying in store.
Another GREAT addition to this recipe is a bit of smoked paprika! We have also grown to favor eating the dip with basalmic vinegar and basil triscuits, they add a subtle sweetness to the rich nuttiness of the dip.
ooo great suggestion, I will have to try this.
I like using green onions scallions as well as the red. And I never make a small batch of the stuff. Just never lasts, lol. 😉 I do 1 cup of shredded Jarlsberg to 1/2 cup of mayo and about 1/8 cup of red onions and 1/8 cup of green onions… give or take. And I just multiply that by several times. Made it for my relatives in Puerto Rico once and it got to be in demand every time I visit, lol.
So Glad to find this for the Jarlsburg spread. My Krogers’ quit carrying it and I haven’t been able to find it for a couple of months. Need to go out and buy a cheese shredder but it will be so worth it.
I have been looking for this a long time.
Thanks so much for posting! Love it.
c
can I freeze this dip?
I don’t think it would work well. Mayonnaise can break down when it thaws.
The real thing is absolutely delicious. I got it today on the Wahoo special. So good.
I love this stuff on a bagel with a fried egg- best breakfast sandwich! Now thanks to you I know how easy it is to make and I don’t have to go without just because Fred Meyer is out of it. Thank you!
Oh I bet that is the best breakfast ever!
Don’t freeze! It thaws out a separated, curdled mess! Got 2 large one pound tubs on the Wohoo Special at Kroger for a buck and a half each, couldn’t pass up an extra pound tub for that price, and tried freezing it. Not good! Btw, it was on special because it was expiring in 2 days, that was back on 11/27/20. Kept in fridge, I just had another helping this eve and it’s 12/19/20, and it’s just fine!!! Keep it tightly covered in their original plastic tubs…
Good to know. I will make a note in the recipe. I think the mayo gives this a long shelf life.
Yes I say 50/50 couldn’t even mix it without more mayo
Better than Kroger’s version coz I just made a batch! Probably took me longer to grate than it will to eat. Used a yellow onion coz that’s what I had and the blizzard…just amazing and spot in!
Love this stuff too (!) Just wanted to add that my Kroger in Loveland Ohio just altered the cheese in that recipe and used Merlot cheese instead of the Jarisburg, WOW, you’ll madly live this and be hooked on day 1!
My husband bought wonderfully grainy crackers and piled on shaved rare roast beef, others shaved ham, and added a dollop of this Merlot cheese mix and then gently heated before serving with a tiny splash of horseradish on the side~
FANTASTIC! Try it, you’ll like it too : )
Oh my gosh, that sounds divine!
Hello, I asked one of the ladies behind the Kroger cheese counter how they made it and she said it was 50-50 cheese to mayo. Then add your red onion… I like that I can make it to taste. Wife really loves it:-)
I just wanted to add that the lady behind the cheese counter also said they use a hi quality mayo, she said Hellman’s. 50-50 is a lot of mayo though. I just made some and used 2 cups (packed kinda tightly) of cheese and 1 3/4 cups of mayo. Seemed like a pretty good ratio to me despite what the Kroger lady said:-)
What I particularly like about Krogers in NKY is that if they are out of the cheese spread, they are always happy to make more while you wait. I live in CT but go back to visit family in NKY. That cheese spread is something I look forward to. Yeah, I know, I can now make it myself but it always tastes better when someone else makes it for you!
I made your recipe for KC Chiefs tailgating and my friend took what was left home with her and made grilled cheese sandwiches with it – they LOVED them!
Now that’s some serious tailgating for the Kansas City Chiefs
Hi! I was just at Kroger and bought the Southwestern Jarlsberg dip, I was wondering how you would make that? Ingredients listed are
Mayonaise water, egg, lemon juice, cayenne powder, cumin, raw purple onion, jalapeños, southwest canned corn
Mayonnaise is egg, oil and lemon juice so that’s why the egg and lemon juice are listed. They must use water instead of the oil. Our Southwestern Jarlsberg dip also has black beans. I’ve made it using frozen thawed corn instead of the canned corn. I would say start with the basic Jarlsberg dip recipe and add the other ingredients to taste.