Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is my go-to holiday appetizer when I want something bright, creamy, and a little unexpected. It’s sweet, tart, and gently spicy, and it always disappears fast at parties.
Contents
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Recipe
Cranberry jalapeño dip is a creamy and fresh appetizer. It balances bold flavors: tangy cranberries, a hint of heat from jalapeños, and a silky base of whipped cream cheese.
You can fold the cranberry-jalapeño mixture right into the cream cheese for a light pink, ultra-smooth dip. You can also spread cream cheese in a dish and spoon the relish on top. Either way, it’s delicious and can be made ahead.
The dip pairs well with crisp dippers like tortilla chips, pita chips, pretzel crisps, and sturdy crackers for a satisfying crunch. It can be enjoyed with fresh elements such as sliced cucumbers, carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, and tart apple slices.
You can serve the cranberry jalapeño dip with breads, such as warm baguette toasts, pumpernickel squares, sourdough slices, or soft dinner rolls. The dish also complements small bites like turkey sliders, roast chicken sandwiches, and smoked ham pinwheels.
It pairs well with cheese boards, alongside aged cheddar, gouda, or goat cheese, plus nuts and dried fruit.
You can serve the dip with holiday mains like roast turkey, glazed ham, or prime rib. For breakfast, it goes well with items such as toasted bagels or savory waffles, using the dip as a creamy schmear with a spicy-tart twist.
If you’ve been looking for an easy crowd-pleaser that looks festive and tastes even better, this one’s for you. Here’s how to make the cranberry jalapeño dip:
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 fresh jalapeños seeded and finely chopped
- 4 green onions finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ tsp salt
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Pulse the cranberries in a food processor until coarsely chopped (do not puree).
- In a large bowl, combine chopped cranberries, sugar, jalapeños, green onions, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Stir well.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) so flavors meld.
- Spread cream cheese evenly on a serving platter or shallow dish. Spoon the chilled cranberry mixture on top.
- Pair with crackers, pita chips, or toasted baguette slices.
Notes
- For less heat, use only 1–2 jalapeños or remove all seeds.
- For a lighter version, substitute part of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt or Neufchâtel cheese.
Variations
This recipe is fantastic, but you can create other versions with different ingredients. For a little inspiration, here are some cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip variations we love:
- Extra-Spicy Version turns up the heat by keeping some jalapeño seeds and adding a pinch of cayenne or minced serrano for a bolder kick.
- Citrus-Lime Zest Boost adds fresh lime zest and a splash more lime juice to enhance brightness and sharpen the sweet-tart balance.
- Herb-Forward Freshness folds in extra chopped cilantro and thinly sliced green onions for a greener, garden-fresh finish.
- Smoky Chipotle Twist mixes a little chopped chipotle in adobo or smoked paprika into the cream cheese for subtle smoke and warmth.
- Honey-Sweetened replaces granulated sugar with honey, creating a rounder sweetness and glossy texture that blends smoothly into the dip.
- Layered Party Platter spreads softened cream cheese in a shallow dish and spoons the cranberry-jalapeño relish over the top for a striking presentation.
- Lightened-Up Creamy swaps part of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt or light sour cream for a fluffier, tangier dip with a lighter feel.
- Nutty Crunch sprinkles toasted pecans or walnuts on top just before serving to add crunch and a buttery note that complements the cranberries.
- Cheddar-Cream Blend whips in a handful of finely shredded sharp cheddar with the cream cheese for extra body and a savory edge.
- Make-Ahead Marinated Relish chills the cranberry-jalapeño mixture for a few hours (or overnight) before combining, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen.