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    Home » Food

    Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

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    pinterest graphic for cranberry jalapeno dip over cream cheese on a black plate served with crackers

    This cranberry jalapeno dip is a combination of sweet, spicy, tart, and creamy. It's the perfect holiday appetizer.

    Cranberry jalapeno dip with cream cheese on a plate.

    This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you decide to purchase through my link, I may earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you.

    The best cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip

    Cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip is perfect for the holidays. You can make the cranberry portion of the dip in advance and then just add it to the top of the cream cheese when you're ready to serve.

    It makes an excellent dip in November and December on your holiday table when fresh cranberries are easy to find and you can purchase them in large bags.

    Even if you aren't normally a cranberry-loving person, this dip may just change your mind! The cranberries are soaked in a spicy sweet mixture overnight to give them an excellent flavor.

    This recipe is so easy to make and a major crowd-pleaser for your holiday get-togethers and parties.

    The combination of spicy jalapeno with sweet, tart cranberries makes it a great option for the holiday season.

    Why I love cranberry-jalapeno cream cheese dip

    The flavors from the zesty blend of cream cheese with jalapeño peppers and sweetened cranberries make it the perfect festive holiday appetizer.

    The colors of the dip combined with the simple ingredients make it a great seasonal dip you won't have the rest of the year.

    Because it has a perfect balance of creamy, tart, sweet, and spicy, it becomes a dip everyone loves for different reasons. Because of this, it's a perfect holiday party appetizer. If some only want the cranberry salsa layer, it's easy to scoop just that portion.

    It's so easy to make. Especially since the cranberry salsa is made in advance, it makes it an easy appetizer to put together right before serving.

    Ingredients for cranberry salsa

    Cranberry salsa has easy-to-find ingredients during the holidays. But remember, fresh ingredients are key for the best flavor! You'll need:

    • fresh cranberries
    • green onions
    • jalapeno peppers
    • lime juice
    • salt
    • sugar
    • whipped cream cheese
    Ingredients needed to make cranberry jalapeno dip.

    How to make this cranberry salsa recipe

    Detailed instructions and measurements for the full list of ingredients to make cranberry jalapeno dip are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

    1. Start by placing the fresh whole cranberries in a bowl of a food processor (you can also do this by hand if you don't have one). Pulse until they are diced small.
    2. Add the cranberries, green onions, and jalapeno to a mixing bowl. Mix to combine.
    3. Add in the lime juice, salt, and sugar and mix to combine.
    4. Place the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
    5. When ready to serve, remove the cranberry mix from the refrigerator and serve it over top of the cream cheese. You want to be able to scoop the cranberry mix with a little bit of cream cheese with your cracker. 
    Food processer filled with diced cranberries.
    Diced cranberries and jalapenos,
    Diced cranberries in a dish.
    Cranberry jalapeno salsa in an airtight container.

    How to serve cranberry jalapeno dip

    The best way to serve cranberry jalapeno dip is to place the cream cheese on a plate or platter and scoop the cranberry mix on top. This way, when dipping, you get both cream cheese and cranberry salsa at the same time.

    I find that serving them with a variety of crackers works best. If you can find it in your store, I recommend buying the variety pack or entertainer's package of crackers.

    This gives everyone the opportunity to use the cracker they like best with the dip.

    It's a perfect appetizer to serve alongside other dips. You can place it in a 9-inch pie plate to make scooping easier for your guests so they have a side to push up against with their dippers.

    tips and tricks for making this cranberry jalapeno dip recipe

    • You want the cranberry mix to be able to sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours to remove the bitterness of the cranberries.
    • Wait to add the cranberry mixture to the top of the cream cheese until you are serving.
    • This dip goes great with a variety of crackers. I recommend buying the variety pack/entertainer packages to use.
    • If you want your jalapenos less spicy, be sure to remove the ribs and seeds. 
    • You want to be sure the cranberries are chopped finely. That's why I recommend using a food processor.
    Cranberry jalapeno dip served over whipped cream cheese and crackers served around it.
    When ready to serve, remove the cranberry mix from the refrigerator and serve it over top of the cream cheese. You want to be able to scoop the cranberry mix with a little bit of cream cheese with your cracker.

    faqs for cranberry jalapeño dip

    What to eat with cranberry jalapeno dip?

    Cranberry jalapeno dip goes really great with your favorite chips or a variety of crackers. I love it with ritz crackers, tortilla chips, pita chips, and baguette slices.

    Can I make cranberry salsa without a food processor?

    You can, you'll just want to be sure to chop everything finely.

    substitutions for cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip

    If you're not a big fan of green onions, they can be omitted entirely or replaced with chives or shallot.

    If you cannot find whipped cream cheese, you can whip your own. Add softened cream cheese to a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl.

    Using the stand mixer or electric hand mixer, whip the cream cheese until it's light and fluffy.

    Having a whipped cream cheese mixture makes it much easier to dip with crackers. I don't recommend using just a block of cream cheese without whipping it first.

    This dip would also be excellent served with goat cheese in place of cream cheese.

    products used to make cranberry jalapeno dip

    Image of food processor

    food processor

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    glass mixing bowls

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    airtight storage container

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    how to store creamy cranberry jalapeno dip

    The cranberry salsa needs to be stored separately from the cream cheese.

    Place the cranberry-jalapeno mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    When you're ready to serve, plate the cream cheese on your serving dish and then top with the cranberry salsa.

    Your cranberry salsa might have a lot of extra liquid and cranberry juice concentrate from sitting in the refrigerator. I pour this off before adding it to the cream cheese.

    Top view of whipped cream cheese cranberry jalapeno dip with a variety of crackers served around it.

    other appetizer dip recipes you might like

    Yogurt Fruit Dip

    Smoked Queso

    Homemade Hummus

    Bacon Ranch Dip

    Jalapeno Artichoke Dip

    Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

    sweetlysplendid.com
    This cranberry jalapeno dip is a combination of sweet, spicy, tart, and creamy. It's the perfect holiday appetizer.
    5 from 27 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Refrigerated Tite 4 hrs
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 166 kcal
    Protein 4 g

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
    • ¼ cup green onions diced
    • 1 jalapeno diced (seeded for heat if preferred)
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 16 ounces cream cheese whipped

    Instructions
     

    • Start by placing the fresh cranberries in a food processor (you can also do this by hand if you don't have one). Pulse until they are diced small.
    • Add the cranberries, green onions, and jalapeno to a mixing bowl. Mix to combine.
    • Add in the lime juice, salt, and sugar and mix to combine.
    • Place the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
    • When ready to serve, remove the cranberry mix from the refrigerator and serve it over top of the cream cheese. You want to be able to scoop the cranberry mix with a little bit of cream cheese with your cracker.

    Video

    Notes

    • You want the cranberry mix to be able to sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours to remove the bitterness of the cranberries.
    • Wait to add the cranberry mixture to the top of the cream cheese until you are serving.
    • This dip goes great with a variety of crackers. I recommend buying the variety pack/entertainer packages to use.
    • If you want your jalapenos less spicy, be sure to remove the ribs and seeds.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
    Serving Size
     
    1 serving
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    166
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    7
    g
    11
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    25
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.3
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    24
    mg
    8
    %
    Sodium
     
    193
    mg
    8
    %
    Potassium
     
    152
    mg
    4
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    23
    g
    8
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    19
    g
    21
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    312
    IU
    6
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    7
    mg
    8
    %
    Calcium
     
    72
    mg
    7
    %
    Iron
     
    0.2
    mg
    1
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword cold dip, cranberries, cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip, cranberry jalapeno dip, cranberry salsa, cranberry salsa recipe, jalapeno
    Have you tried this recipe? Please let us know how it was in the comments or tag us on Instagram @sweetlysplendid!

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy. It should only be used for estimation purposes and is not a guarantee of any kind. Nutritional information varies widely between brands and types of ingredients used. It is recommended that you calculate the nutritional information based on your own ingredients and brands used. Sweetly Splendid, LLC makes no guarantees as to the exact nutrition information.

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    Kara is a wife & mother living deep in the heart of Texas. She loves all things food and spending time with her family and dogs. She has a passion for cooking and loves making yummy, family-friendly recipes.

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