How to Make Smoked Dill Pickle Dip

Ingredients

• 8 oz Cream Cheese (full block, unsalted, to be smoked on pellet grill)
• 0.5 cup Sour Cream (full-fat for creaminess)
• 1 cup Dill Pickles (minced; Kansas City Canning Company brand optional)
• 2 tablespoons Pickle Juice (reserved from the pickle jar)
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Baby Dill (minced)
• 0.25 cup Panko Breadcrumbs (Japanese style breadcrumbs)
• 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for frying panko)
• 1 tablespoon Cattlemen's Grill Trail Dust All-Purpose Seasoning (optional smoky seasoning for the panko)

Instructions

1. Preheat Grill and Set Up Smoke Tube

   Preheat the Yoder pellet grill to 250°F. Fill the smoke tube with hickory pellets, place it on the left side of the grill, and use the torch to ignite the pellets until they catch and produce steady smoke.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: 250°F

2. Smoke the Cream Cheese

   Place the 8‑oz block of cream cheese on a frog mat directly on the grill grates. No seasoning is needed now. Smoke for 1 hour, allowing the cheese to absorb the hickory flavor.

   Time: PT1H

   Temperature: 250°F

3. Mince Pickles and Fresh Dill

   While the cheese smokes, finely mince 1 cup of dill pickles and 1 tablespoon of fresh baby dill. Set aside in a small bowl.

   Time: PT10M

4. Fry the Panko

   Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat (≈350°F). Add ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon Trail Dust seasoning. Stir continuously until the panko turns golden brown, about 3–4 minutes, then remove from heat.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium heat (≈350°F)

5. Cool the Smoked Cream Cheese

   Remove the smoked cream cheese from the grill and let it sit on the frog mat for about 5 minutes to cool slightly, making it easier to stir.

   Time: PT5M

6. Assemble the Dip

   In a mixing bowl, combine the smoked cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, minced pickles, 2 tablespoons pickle juice, minced dill, and the fried panko. Mix until smooth and evenly incorporated.

   Time: PT5M

7. Chill and Serve

   Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for best flavor, or serve at room temperature if preferred.

   Time: PT30M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

176

Protein

1.6g

Carbohydrates

4.8g

Fat

16g

Fiber

1g