Introduction

This creamy cranberry jalapeno dip is a vibrant blend of tart cranberries, spicy jalapenos, and smooth cream cheese. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any party, it offers a delightful balance of flavors with a refreshing kick.

Ingredients

12 ounces fresh cranberries
2 jalapenos, minced (about ¼ cup)
4 green onions, thinly sliced (about ¼ cup)
¼ cup cilantro, chopped small
½ cup sugar (add up to ¼ cup more for additional sweetness)
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
16 ounces cream cheese
2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)

Instructions

Step 1: Pour the cranberries into a food processor and pulse once or twice to roughly chop them without pureeing.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix the chopped cranberries with minced jalapenos, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, sugar, lime juice, and salt. Refrigerate the mixture for at least one hour, preferably overnight.
Step 3: When ready to serve, strain the cranberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer over a bowl to collect the liquid. Discard the solids or reserve as desired and keep the liquid for later.
Step 4: Whip the cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the strained cranberry mixture along with about 2 tablespoons of the reserved liquid. Add more liquid a teaspoon at a time until the dip reaches your preferred consistency.
Step 5: Serve chilled with crackers or pretzel crisps for a delicious appetizer.

Tips & Variations

Adjust the sugar to balance the tartness of the cranberries and heat from the jalapenos according to your taste.
For a milder dip, remove the jalapeno seeds before mincing.
Add a teaspoon of orange zest for a citrusy twist.
Serve with a variety of dippers like sliced baguette, tortilla chips, or fresh vegetables.

Storage

Store the dip covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving again. This dip is best served chilled and should be consumed within a few days for optimal flavor and freshness.

How to Serve

A clear glass round dish filled with a thick, creamy pink dip that has visible small chunks of red and purple mixed throughout, giving it a textured look. The dish sits on a wooden board placed over a white marbled surface partially covered by a black and white striped cloth. Around the dish, there are light golden round crackers, with one cracker dipped into the pink mixture being held by a woman's hand on the right side of the image. The dip looks soft and rich, contrasting with the smooth, shiny surface of the glass dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes, the flavor actually improves after the dip chills for several hours or overnight. Just be sure to strain and mix it with the cream cheese before serving.

What can I substitute for cream cheese?

You can use Greek yogurt or mascarpone for a lighter or slightly different texture, but the dip will be less creamy and rich than with cream cheese.

Creamy Cranberry Jalapeno Dip Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 61 reviews

This Creamy Cranberry Jalapeno Dip combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the spicy kick of jalapenos and the smooth richness of cream cheese. Perfectly balanced with lime juice, cilantro, and a hint of sweetness, this dip is an excellent appetizer for holiday gatherings or any party. It’s refreshing, creamy, and easy to prepare in advance.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including chilling time, longer if refrigerated overnight)
Yield: About 2½ cups 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Fresh Ingredients

12 ounces fresh cranberries
2 jalapenos, minced (about ¼ cup)
4 green onions, thinly sliced (about ¼ cup)
¼ cup cilantro, chopped small
2–3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)

Pantry Ingredients

½ cup sugar (add up to ¼ cup more for additional sweetness if desired)
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt

Dairy

16 ounces cream cheese

Instructions

Roughly chop the cranberries: Pour the fresh cranberries into a food processor or food chopper and pulse once or twice to roughly chop them without pureeing. This keeps some texture in the dip.
Mix the ingredients: In a bowl, combine the chopped cranberries with minced jalapenos, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, sugar, lime juice, and kosher salt. Stir thoroughly to blend all flavors. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
Strain the cranberry mixture: When ready to serve, remove the mixture from the refrigerator and pour it through a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Let the liquid drain completely from the cranberry mixture, reserving the liquid for later use.
Prepare the cream cheese base: While the cranberry mixture is straining, whip the cream cheese until smooth and creamy using a mixer or a whisk.
Combine and adjust consistency: Add the strained cranberry mixture to the whipped cream cheese along with about 2 tablespoons of the reserved liquid. Stir well to combine. Add more reserved liquid in small teaspoon increments as needed to reach the desired creamy consistency.
Serve: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and serve chilled with crackers or pretzel crisps for a delicious appetizer.

Notes

For a sweeter dip, increase the sugar up to ¾ cup according to taste.
Adjust the amount of jalapenos based on your preferred spice level; remove seeds for milder heat.
Make the dip a day ahead to deepen flavors and improve texture.
Use a fine mesh strainer to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency without excess liquid.
Serve chilled and store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: cranberry dip, jalapeno dip, creamy dip, holiday appetizer, cream cheese dip, party dip, fresh cranberry dip