So the last few times I have been to the cheese counter at my local Kroger store, they have had this fabulous Jarlsberg Dip there. I have purchased it several times. Then I started to think, I am the CopyKat lady, why am I not recreating this recipe for CopyKat?

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This Cheese Dip is Wonderful
So, here is my copycat Kroger Jarlsberg Cheese Dip recipe. This is a delicious dip that goes perfectly on crackers. I have served this a few times, and it has gotten rave reviews.
Jarlsberg cheese is a Norwegian cheese that is wonderfully rich and tasty. It’s related to Emmentaler and other types of Swiss cheese. In fact, you can choose to use Swiss cheese for this dip instead of Jarlsberg.
Whichever cheese you opt for, this dip adds some sophistication to a gathering. This recipe is also one of my favorite types because you can make it ahead of time and enjoy it later.
The Holey Cheese
Jarlsberg is Norway’s third-largest export. Leading chefs value it for its distinctive sweet and nutty taste – not to mention its distinctive holes. It’s an ideal cheese for cheese boards and tastes good in salads and various hot dishes.
Jarlsberg was developed in 1956 in Jarlsberg County by successfully combining old cheese-making traditions with modern technologies.
Jarlsberg Cheese Has a Nutty Taste
Peel back the wax rind on a piece of Jarlsberg, and you discover a semi-firm buttery yellow interior that has a delightfully mild, nutty flavor. A nutty Jarlsberg and a smooth Merlot are a wonderful pairing.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need:
- Jarlsberg or Swiss cheese, freshly grated
- Mayonnaise
- Red onion, finely chopped

How to Make Jarlsberg Cheese Dip
- Thoroughly combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Store in a covered container for at least 2 hours for flavors to mingle
Variations of this cheese spread
Thanks for the many ideas submitted by various readers. Here are a few:
- Add a tad of horseradish.
- Add some jalapenos.
- Use dip on baguette slices to make toasted cheese. Top with bacon bits (optional).
- Use on baked potatoes.
You can also make Kroger’s Smoked Cheese Dip!
Easy Make-Ahead Cheese Dip
I love cheese dips and spreads and like to keep some on hand in case unexpected company drops or even if I want a light lunch or dinner. This cheese spread is perfect for this, and better yet, you don’t have to worry about having a lot of preservatives in the dip.
If you are a beginner cook, this would be an easy and quick dish for you to prepare. Now you can make Jarlsberg Dip at home just like they do at Kroger’s.
Serve Jarlsberg cheese dip with vegetables for a low-carb and keto-friendly appetizer or snack.

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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.
D Afford
So easy and so good!
Jeanne Muir
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.
Stephanie Manley
I haven’t tried that, but I do see how it could be good!
Waltraud Patrick
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.
Stephanie Manley
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.
Joel
Costco has Jarlsburg about as cheap as you will find it. It is awesome with a little jalapeño added if you like.
Carla
I’m far from a Kroger’s but remember this fondly. Looking forward to making this tonight!!
Dave
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
Patty
Absolutely delicious! My friend says she likes it even better than Kroger’s!
Karen
This was spot on!!! Our Kroger hasn’t been selling it for quire awhile. Now we can have it whenever we want!
Thanks
Mathew Renda
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.
Stephanie
ooo great suggestion, I will have to try this.
Vaalwrath
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.
Becky
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.
Sue Wright
I have been looking for this a long time.
Thanks so much for posting! Love it.
Cathy Rauwald
c
can I freeze this dip?
Stephanie
I don’t think it would work well. Mayonnaise can break down when it thaws.
Mary Love
The real thing is absolutely delicious. I got it today on the Wahoo special. So good.
Ailene
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!
Stephanie
Oh I bet that is the best breakfast ever!
TODD
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…
Stephanie
Good to know. I will make a note in the recipe. I think the mayo gives this a long shelf life.
Elizabeth Parker
Yes I say 50/50 couldn’t even mix it without more mayo
Jodi
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!
Joanna Siekman
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 : )
Pat
Oh my gosh, that sounds divine!
Mark In NKy
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:-)
Mark In NKy
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:-)
Pat
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!
Sandi Miller
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!
Kelly
Now that’s some serious tailgating for the Kansas City Chiefs
Baylee
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
Marcia
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.