“I First Discovered This in a Church Cookbook — And There Was No Turning Back!”

Perfect for:

Holiday parties

Game-day spreads

Last-minute guests

Or any excuse to eat cheese with a spoon

Let’s dive into this simple, elegant, can’t-stop-eating-it masterpiece.

🌟 Why This Dip Is a Game-Changer

Jarlsberg cheese is magic

Mild, nutty, melts beautifully — like Gruyère and cheddar had a delicious baby

Only 8 ingredients

Most are pantry staples — no special shopping

No cooking required

Just mix, chill, and serve

Crowd-pleaser

Even picky eaters love it

Make-ahead friendly

Prepare it the night before — no last-minute stress

This isn’t just a dip.

It’s a tradition in the making.

🧄 Ingredients (Serves 10–12)

Shredded Jarlsberg cheese

3 cups

Freshly shredded melts better than pre-shredded

Mayonnaise

½ cup

Full-fat for creaminess

Whole milk

2½ tbsp

Smooths the texture

Diced red onion

2 tbsp

Adds bite — soak in water for 5 mins if you want it milder

Fresh parsley, chopped

2 tbsp

Brightens the flavor

Fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp

Zesty kick — don’t skip!

Salt

½ tsp

Enhances all the flavors

Black pepper

½ tsp

Warmth and depth

Paprika

Pinch

For color and a hint of spice

✅ Optional upgrades:

Add ¼ tsp garlic powder for extra savoriness

Swap parsley for chives or dill

Top with a sprinkle of smoked paprika before serving

🥣 Step-by-Step: How to Make Jarlsberg Cheese Dip

Step 1: Shred the Cheese

Use block Jarlsberg — shred it yourself

Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that make dips grainy

✅ Pro Tip: Freeze the block for 10 minutes — it shreds easier.

Step 2: Mix Everything Together

In a large bowl, combine:

Shredded Jarlsberg

Mayonnaise

Milk

Red onion

Parsley

Lemon juice

Salt, pepper, and paprika

Stir until smooth and fully blended — no lumps of cheese

✅ Taste and adjust: More lemon? More salt? Do it now.

Step 3: Chill to Perfection

Transfer to a serving bowl

Cover with plastic wrap

Refrigerate 1–2 hours

✅ Why chill?

It lets the flavors meld, the texture thicken, and the dip deepen in taste.

Step 4: Serve & Devour

Take out 15 minutes before serving — cold cheese dip is best at cool room temp

Serve with:

Crackers (water crackers, Triscuits, or baguette slices)

Pretzels (classic pairing)

Fresh veggies (carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers)

Leftovers? Keeps 3–4 days in the fridge — if there are any.

🧑‍🍳 Pro Tips for the Best Dip Every Time

Use room-temperature mayo

Mixes more smoothly

Don’t skip the lemon juice

Cuts the richness and brightens the flavor

Double the recipe

It always goes fast — better to have extra

Serve in a bread bowl

Hollow out a round loaf for a fun, edible presentation

Add a splash of hot sauce

For a spicy twist (optional)

🍽️ Final Thoughts: Sometimes the Best Recipes Aren’t Fancy — They’re Just Delicious

We chase gourmet dips.

We try complicated spreads.

We scroll for hours.

But the truth is:

The most unforgettable appetizers are often the simplest.

This Jarlsberg Cheese Dip proves that great flavor doesn’t need to be hard.

So next time you’re hosting…

Don’t overthink it.

Make this.

Because sometimes, the difference between “just a dip” and “I need the recipe”…

Isn’t in the cheese.

It’s in the church cookbook.

And once you make this?

You’ll understand why it’s been passed down for generations.