Grillo’s pickle dip has taken the internet by storm—and for good reason. This extra-creamy dill pickle dip is packed with crispy bacon, chopped pickles and jalapeño, tangy shredded cheddar, and bold dill flavor. Make a batch of this easy recipe, serve it with your favorite dippers, and watch it disappear.
Pickles tend to inspire strong opinions: people usually either love them or don’t. If you’re a pickle fan, this dip is for you. I prefer pickles that are extra-crisp with a bright dill flavor, and refrigerated deli-style pickles often fit the bill. Dill pickle flavor translates well into many dishes—chicken salad, potato salad, pasta, grilled cheese, even salsa-style mixes—and this creamy dip is a standout among them.
This version, inspired by Grillo’s, combines a smooth, rich base with crunchy pickle pieces, smoky bacon crumbles, bright jalapeño bites, and shredded cheddar. It’s hearty enough for parties, backyard barbecues, potlucks, or game day and simple enough to pull together quickly.
Ingredients Needed
This cream-cheese-based dip uses straightforward ingredients that are easy to source. For the best results gather the following:
- Pickles – Grillo’s pickle spears are recommended. If spears aren’t available, use an equivalent amount of dill pickle chips. Drain the pickles but reserve about 2 teaspoons of the pickle juice for the recipe.
- Jalapeño – Seeded and finely diced so each bite gets flavor without overwhelming heat.
- Green Onions – Thinly sliced, including both white and green parts.
- Sour Cream – Full-fat yields the creamiest texture.
- Plain Greek Yogurt – Adds tang and body.
- Whipped Cream Cheese – Use the whipped variety (not the thicker “spreadable” style) for easy blending and a lighter texture.
- Ranch Dressing Mix – A dry packet for flavor; you can use store-bought mix or a homemade ranch seasoning blend.
- Shredded Cheddar – Freshly shredded has the best flavor, but pre-shredded works too.
- Bacon – Crispy, crumbled bacon adds smoky crunch.
- Hot Sauce – Use your preferred brand for a touch of tang.
- Pepper – Ground black pepper and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to round out the seasoning.
How to Make Grillo’s Pickle Dip
This dip comes together quickly and delivers big flavor. Follow these simple steps:
- Measure and reserve about 2 teaspoons of the pickle brine, then drain the pickles and finely dice them.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, whipped cream cheese, and the ranch dressing mix. Using a hand mixer, blend until the base is smooth and creamy. You can mix by hand, but a mixer gives the best silky texture with minimal effort.
- Add the diced pickles, jalapeño, sliced green onions, shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, hot sauce, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30–60 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Stir again before transferring to a serving bowl. Serve with your favorite dippers and enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
- Potato chips or kettle chips
- Crackers
- Fresh vegetables: carrot sticks, bell pepper slices, broccoli florets
- Baguette or crusty bread slices
- Pretzels
Pick a selection that complements the dip’s creamy, tangy profile.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For convenience, you can serve and store the dip in the original Grillo’s container if you used one.
Tips & Tricks
- Grillo’s pickles are kept refrigerated from production through sale. Look for them in deli coolers near prepackaged lunch meats or specialty sections, not on ambient shelves.
- If you can’t find spears, use pickle chips in the same volume.
- Make sure the cream cheese is labeled “whipped” for the correct consistency.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar for brighter flavor when possible.
- Don’t skip the jalapeño—discard the seeds and finely mince it. It adds depth without making the dip overly spicy.
- If you’re worried about strong pickle flavor, reduce the pickles by half or omit the pickle juice. The combination of ingredients balances the tang nicely, and many non-pickle lovers still enjoy this dip as written.
Other Recipes Using Pickles
If you enjoy this dip, try other pickle-forward recipes like bacon-wrapped smoked pickles, dill pickle pizza, saltine crackers with dill, pickle fritters, dill pickle bread, pickle tuna salad, dill pickle chips, or dill pickle egg salad. Pickles add bright acidity and crunch to many dishes.
This Grillo’s-style pickle dip is quick to prepare, addictive, and perfect for sharing. Serve it with an assortment of dippers and watch it disappear at your next gathering.
Grillo’s Pickle Dip (Viral TikTok Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 (32 oz) container Grillo’s pickle spears, drained (reserve 2 tsp pickle juice)
- 1 large jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 (8 oz) tub whipped cream cheese
- 1 (1 oz) packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled crispy bacon
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Finely dice the drained pickles and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whip sour cream, Greek yogurt, whipped cream cheese, and ranch dressing mix until smooth.
- Stir in diced pickles, jalapeño, green onions, cheddar, bacon, hot sauce, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until evenly combined.
- Cover and chill for 30–60 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Stir once more, transfer to a serving bowl, and serve with chips, crackers, or vegetables.
Notes
- Grillo’s pickles are sold refrigerated in deli coolers—look near lunch meats or specialty deli sections.
- If spears aren’t available, the same weight of pickle chips can be used.
- Use whipped cream cheese for the proper consistency.
- Freshly shredded cheese yields brighter flavor, though pre-shredded works in a pinch.
- Mince jalapeño finely and discard seeds to keep flavor without excessive heat.
- If you prefer a milder dill flavor, reduce the amount of pickles or omit the reserved pickle juice.