If you’ve seen this dip on your feed and wondered if it’s actually as good as everyone says, it is. Grillo’s pickles chopped and stirred into a creamy base of Greek yogurt, mayo, whipped cream cheese, shredded cheddar, jalapeños, bacon, and ranch seasoning with a generous pour of Grillo’s pickle juice mixed through. It comes together in about 15 minutes and gets significantly better after a few hours in the refrigerator when everything has had time to meld together into something bold, tangy, creamy, and completely addictive. My littles were skeptical until they tried it and now it’s a regular request in our house.
Set it out with crackers and pretzels and watch it clear the bowl.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fifteen minutes of mixing and the refrigerator does the rest. This is genuinely one of the easiest dips you can make that still earns serious compliments.
- The Grillo’s pickle juice mixed through the entire dip means the pickle flavor isn’t just in the pickle pieces. It runs through every single scoop from the very first bite.
- This is a make-ahead dip by design. It has to chill before serving and it only gets better overnight which makes it perfect for planning ahead for parties and gatherings.
- The combination of Greek yogurt, mayo, and whipped cream cheese produces a base that is creamy and rich without being so heavy that you can’t keep going back for more.
Ingredients Needed To Make The Viral Pickle Dip
The Creamy Base
Plain Greek yogurt adds a slight tang and keeps the dip from being overly rich. Mayonnaise adds creaminess and a subtle savory depth. Whipped cream cheese blends in smoothly and gives the dip its thick, scoopable body. Shredded cheddar adds a sharp, slightly bold cheese flavor throughout.
The Pickle Elements
Grillo’s pickles chopped into small pieces add crunch and a bright, garlicky dill flavor in every bite. Grillo’s pickle juice poured through the entire dip distributes the tangy, briny brine flavor throughout every scoop rather than just where the pickle pieces land.
Why use Grillo’s pickles specifically?
Grillo’s pickles are made with a clean, simple brine of water, vinegar, garlic, dill, and salt without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Their brine has a specific bright, garlicky, clean dill flavor that is noticeably different from standard grocery store pickles and their juice is what specifically makes this dip taste the way it does on social media. Any good quality dill pickle can be substituted but the flavor profile will be slightly different. Grillo’s are available at most major grocery stores and at Costco.
The Flavor Boosters
Chopped jalapeños add a mild heat that pairs perfectly with the cool, creamy base and the tangy pickle. Dry ranch seasoning adds a herby, savory depth that ties everything together. Crumbled bacon adds a smoky, slightly salty crunch. Sliced green onions garnished over the top add a fresh, mild bite right before serving.
How to Make Grillo’s Viral Pickle Dip
Step 1: Chop the Pickles and Jalapeños
Chop the Grillo’s pickles and jalapeños into small, even pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the dip rather than clumping together.
Step 2: Mix Everything Together
Add the Greek yogurt, mayo, whipped cream cheese, shredded cheddar, jalapeños, chopped pickles, pickle juice, ranch seasoning, and crumbled bacon to a large bowl. Mix until completely combined and the cream cheese is fully incorporated.
Can I make this without mayo?
Yes. Substitute additional Greek yogurt in the same amount as the mayo for a lighter, slightly tangier result. Sour cream is another substitute that produces a slightly richer result than extra yogurt. The mayo adds a specific creaminess and a subtle savory depth that is worth keeping if possible but the dip works well without it.
Step 3: Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Overnight produces the best result.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Top with sliced green onions right before serving. Set out with crackers, pretzels, chips, or vegetables alongside.
Variations
- Make it milder: omit the jalapeños entirely or swap them for diced banana peppers for a tangy kick without the heat.
- Make it spicier: add an extra jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne to the base for more heat throughout every scoop.
- Make it extra cheesy: add an extra 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar or fold in a handful of crumbled feta for a tangier, more complex cheese flavor.
- Make it without bacon: omit the bacon for a vegetarian version that is still excellent. Smoked paprika stirred through adds a smoky depth in its place.
- Make it a dip and spread: this works as a sandwich spread, a topping for burgers, or stirred into scrambled eggs. It’s one of those dips that finds its way onto everything once you have a batch in the refrigerator.
Storing
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir before serving each time since the liquid can settle slightly as it sits. The flavor improves over the first 24 hours and stays excellent through the full storage window. Do not freeze.
How to Serve Grillo’s Viral Pickle Dip
Serve cold straight from the refrigerator with crackers, pretzels, thick-cut potato chips, celery sticks, and carrot sticks arranged around the bowl. The dip is thick enough to hold on a cracker without falling off which makes it one of the best party dips for a spread where people are standing and grazing. For another easy dip that works alongside this one on a party table, this Caramel Apple Dip covers a sweet direction that balances the savory pickle dip perfectly on a full grazing spread.
Grillo’s Viral Pickle Dip (Easy Crowd-Pleasing Recipe)
Ingredients
Method
- Chop the pickles and jalapeños into small pieces.
- Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, whipped cream cheese, shredded cheddar, jalapeños, pickles, ranch seasoning, juice, and crumbled bacon to a large bowl.
- Mix everything together until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for a few hours, if possible, to let all those flavors really come together.
- Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- The chill time is the step that makes this dip go from good to great. The ranch seasoning blooms, the pickle juice distributes through the whole dip, and every flavor melds together in a way that freshly mixed just doesn’t produce. If you can make it the night before do it.
- Use whipped cream cheese specifically. Block cream cheese is too dense and doesn’t incorporate smoothly into the cold dip. Whipped blends in easily and produces a creamier, more cohesive texture throughout.
- Grillo’s pickle juice is specifically what makes this dip taste the way it does. Their brine is clean, garlicky, and dill-forward in a way that generic pickle juice isn’t. Don’t swap it out.
- Adjust the pickle amount to your preference. Two cups produces a well-balanced dip with pickle flavor throughout. Three cups makes every bite specifically about the pickle and is the move for serious pickle people.