Kenai Dip

Jutting off the coast of southern Alaska is the endlessly picturesque Kenai Peninsula. Dotted with quaint Alaskan towns, crossed by rivers filled with king salmon and boasting views of snow-capped mountains, it’s known as “Alaska’s Playground” for a reason. It’s here where, in a town just next to the city of Kenai, sits Echo Lake Meats, the food market credited with creating one of Alaska’s best recipes: Kenai dip.

Alaskans love Kenai dip. They live in a big state where it’s not always feasible to visit Echo Lake Meats whenever the craving strikes, though. Thankfully, whether you live in Alaska or not, it’s easy to make this famous dip right at home.

What is Kenai dip?

Kenai dip is a cheesy, smoky, spicy dip from the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. It starts with a mixture of mayonnaise, crunchy diced jalapenos and a few smoky and pungent spices. Shredded cheddar cheese is mixed in at the end to keep the long shreds intact. That’s it!

This regional delicacy is a popular appetizer for cookouts, camping meals, potlucks, picnics and any other occasion where you can take a cooler and a bag of Juanita’s tortilla chips.

Ingredients for Kenai Dip

• Diced jalapeno peppers: Remove the seeds, then finely dice the jalapenos (you can keep the seeds for added spice). If you really like an extra kick of heat, buy another jalapeno and cut it into rounds to garnish the Kenai dip.
• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is the tangy, rich and creamy base in authentic Kenai dip.
• Garlic powder: This pungent seasoning adds the taste of garlic without the overpowering sharpness of raw garlic.
• Paprika: Paprika adds a touch of spice. Use smoked paprika if you like your Kenai dip a little smoky (most Alaskans do!).
• Cheddar cheese: Shred cheddar cheese using the biggest holes on a box grater.
• Chips or crackers: Serve Kenai dip with chips or crackers, just as you would any other dip. In Alaska, the most beloved chips for Kenai dip are Juanita’s tortilla chips, which are sold nationwide under the name Juantonio’s.

Directions

Step 1: Make the base of the dip

Add the diced jalapeno peppers to a large bowl with mayonnaise, garlic powder, and paprika.

Step 2: Add the cheddar cheese

Stir in the cheddar cheese until the dip is well combined.

Editor’s Tip: We like to keep this as a separate step because the cheese shreds should remain as intact as possible for authentic Kenai dip. Overstirring will break the shreds.

Step 3: Finish and serve

If desired, top the Kenai cheese dip with additional jalapenos. Serve this tangy, cheesy dip with chips or crackers.

Editor’s Tip: Many Alaskans prefer to eat this dip well-chilled. For an authentic experience, cover the dip and pop it in the fridge for a few hours before enjoying it.

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Recipe Variations

• Make it smoky: If you love a smokier dip, try adding a touch of liquid smoke. Always start small, then taste and assess. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away once it’s in there!
• Add more flavor: Dig around your spice cabinet for other seasonings. Onion powder, cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes are popular additions.
• Go egg-free: Avoiding eggs? Swap sour cream for the mayonnaise. Thin out the sour cream a bit with some water, just until it reaches a mayo-like consistency.
• Drizzle with hot honey: This is totally nontraditional, but drizzle a little hot honey on your Kenai dip. Try a small portion first and make sure you like it before you drizzle it over the rest of the dip.

How to Store Kenai Dip

Keep the Kenai dip in an airtight container. It can last for up to one week in the fridge.

Can you make Kenai dip ahead of time?

Yes, in fact, you should make the Kenai cheese dip ahead of time. It tastes best after it has chilled in the fridge for a bit. The flavors mingle, and the dip is the most flavorful when served cold. Make the Kenai dip a day before serving it.

Kenai Dip Tips

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

How do you serve Kenai dip?

Serve Kenai dip cold from the fridge with corn chips, tortilla chips, jalapeno-flavored kettle-cooked potato chips, crisp veggies or crackers. Alaskans swear by Juanita’s tortilla chips, which are sold nationwide under the name Juantonio’s. Kenai dip is the perfect Super Bowl party food or potluck dish.

But Kenai dip doesn’t have to stay in its one form; it’s versatile, just like pimiento cheese in the American South. Use Kenai dip as the filling in a grilled cheese sandwich or as the melty, cheesy topping on a hot, juicy burger. You can also load it on a baked potato, in a sandwich or on a bagel.

Why is it best to grate the cheese fresh from the block for Kenai dip?

Always grate your own cheese fresh from the block, whether for Kenai dip or any other recipe with shredded cheese. Bagged shredded cheese contains cellulose, an anti-caking agent that affects the flavor and texture of the cheese. For the most authentic Kenai dip flavor, always grate your cheese fresh off the block.

Do you heat up Kenai dip?

Normally, no, you don’t heat up Kenai dip. Alaskans like to enjoy this delicacy cold from the fridge. However, you can heat Kenai dip when it’s used as the filling for a grilled cheese or on a burger.