Irresistible Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip – A Bold & Festive Favorite Recipe
Introduction
Sweet, spicy, and creamy all at once, this Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip is a festive favorite that’s perfect for holidays and parties. Packed with tart cranberries, zesty jalapeños, and smooth cream cheese, it brings a burst of color and flavor to any appetizer spread. Plus, it comes together in under 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and diced
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (or lemon juice)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened
- Crackers, crostini, or veggies for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Add cranberries, diced jalapeños, chopped green onions, sugar, lime juice, and salt to a food processor.
- Step 2: Pulse several times until the mixture is finely chopped but not puréed, aiming for a relish-like texture.
- Step 3: Transfer the cranberry mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
- Step 4: Spread the softened cream cheese evenly on a serving plate in a thick layer.
- Step 5: Spoon the chilled cranberry mixture over the cream cheese and spread it evenly.
- Step 6: Garnish with extra green onions, cilantro, or jalapeño slices and serve with crackers, crostini, or vegetable sticks.
Tips & Variations
- For best flavor, chill the cranberry mixture for 1–2 hours or overnight before assembling.
- Seed jalapeños if you prefer milder heat; leave seeds in for extra spice.
- Keep the cranberry mixture chunky by pulsing lightly—avoid over-processing.
- Make the cranberry relish 2–3 days in advance, then assemble the dip just before serving.
- For a festive touch, garnish with cilantro, whole cranberries, or pomegranate arils.
Storage
Store leftover cranberry relish and cream cheese layers separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble the dip fresh before serving to keep textures vibrant. If you have assembled dip left, cover tightly and enjoy within 1 day. Reheat is not recommended as the cream cheese is best served chilled.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use canned cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use canned cranberries, but the texture and brightness will be different. Fresh cranberries provide the best tartness and crunch for this dip.
How spicy is this dip?
The heat level depends on how many jalapeños you use and whether you include the seeds. Removing seeds reduces the spiciness significantly for a mild kick.
Print
Irresistible Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip – A Bold & Festive Favorite Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip combines the tartness of fresh cranberries, the heat of jalapeños, and the creaminess of softened cream cheese to create a bold and festive appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ready in under 15 minutes, this naturally gluten-free and vegetarian dip can be prepared in advance, making it an effortless crowd-pleaser full of vibrant flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Relish Mixture
- 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and diced
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (or lemon juice)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Base
- 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened
For Serving
- Crackers, crostini, or veggies
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the fresh cranberries, diced jalapeños, chopped green onions, granulated sugar, lime juice, and salt into a food processor.
- Pulse to Chop: Pulse several times until the mixture is finely chopped but still maintains a relish-like, chunky texture—avoid pureeing.
- Chill Mixture: Transfer the chopped cranberry mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Base: Spread the softened cream cheese evenly onto a serving plate in a thick layer, creating a creamy base for the dip.
- Assemble Dip: Spoon the chilled cranberry and jalapeño relish evenly over the cream cheese layer, smoothing it out gently.
- Garnish & Serve: Optionally garnish with extra green onions, fresh cilantro leaves, or thin slices of jalapeño. Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping.
Notes
- Best Flavor: Chill the cranberry mixture for 1–2 hours or overnight to enhance and meld the flavors thoroughly.
- Heat Control: Remove the seeds from jalapeños to reduce spiciness; leave seeds in if you prefer a bolder, spicier kick.
- Texture Tip: Avoid over-processing in the food processor to keep a nice chunky relish texture rather than a puree.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the cranberry relish up to 2–3 days in advance. Assemble the dip just before serving for maximum freshness.
- Festive Touch: Garnish with cilantro, whole cranberries, or pomegranate arils to elevate the presentation and add a burst of color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry dip, holiday appetizer, jalapeño cream cheese dip, festive dip, Thanksgiving appetizer, Christmas appetizer, vegetarian dip, gluten-free appetizer
