Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Introduction

This Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip is a vibrant and flavorful appetizer that combines tart cranberries with a spicy kick. Perfect for holiday gatherings or casual parties, it’s easy to prepare and pairs wonderfully with assorted crackers.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 3 green onions, chopped (reserve some for garnish)
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (plus more to taste)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• Assorted crackers for dipping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pulse the cranberries in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
2. Step 2: Add chopped green onions, cilantro, diced jalapeño, sugar, lemon juice, and salt to the cranberries. Pulse again until the mixture is combined but still chunky. Taste and add more sugar if needed.
3. Step 3: Transfer the cranberry mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Drain any excess liquid before assembling if necessary.
4. Step 4: Spread the softened cream cheese evenly on a serving plate. Top with the chilled cranberry-jalapeño mixture and garnish with reserved green onions.
5. Step 5: Refrigerate the assembled dip for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with assorted crackers for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder dip, remove all the seeds from the jalapeño or substitute with a milder pepper.
• Add a splash of orange juice in place of some lemon juice for a sweeter citrus note.
• Use low-fat cream cheese to lighten the dip without sacrificing creaminess.
• Garnish with finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for an herbal twist.

Storage

Store the cranberry mixture and cream cheese separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Once assembled, the dip is best eaten the same day but can be kept refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Allow the dip to come to room temperature for 10 minutes before serving if chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dip without a food processor?

Yes, you can finely chop the cranberries, green onions, cilantro, and jalapeño by hand, though it will be more time-consuming and the texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Is this dip spicy?

The jalapeño adds a noticeable but balanced heat, which you can adjust by using less pepper or removing the seeds. The sweetness of the sugar and tartness of cranberries help mellow the spiciness.

Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 509 reviews

This vibrant Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the spicy kick of jalapeño and the creamy richness of softened cream cheese. Perfect for holiday parties or casual gatherings, this no-cook dip offers a colorful and flavorful appetizer that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes (including refrigeration time)
• Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cranberry Mixture

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 3 green onions, chopped (reserve some for garnish)
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Base

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened

For Serving

• Assorted crackers

Instructions

1. Pulse cranberries: Place the fresh cranberries in a food processor and pulse until they are coarsely chopped, providing a chunky texture that’s perfect for blending with the other ingredients.
2. Pulse aromatics: Add the chopped green onions (reserving some for garnish), fresh cilantro, diced jalapeño, granulated sugar, fresh lemon juice, and salt to the cranberries. Pulse the mixture until combined but still chunky to maintain texture. Taste and add more sugar if a sweeter dip is desired.
3. Refrigerate: Transfer the cranberry mixture into a bowl, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Before assembling, drain any excess liquid to prevent the dip from being too watery.
4. Assemble: Spread the softened cream cheese evenly on a plate or serving dish. Spoon the chilled cranberry mixture over the cream cheese layer, then sprinkle reserved green onions on top for a fresh garnish. Refrigerate the assembled dip for at least 10 minutes to chill before serving with assorted crackers.

Notes

• For a spicier dip, include some of the jalapeño seeds.
• You can substitute cilantro with fresh parsley if preferred.
• Allowing the dip to refrigerate overnight enhances its flavor depth.
• Drain excess liquid from the cranberry mixture to keep the dip from becoming too runny.
• This dip pairs wonderfully with water crackers, pita chips, or vegetable sticks.

Keywords: cranberry dip, jalapeño dip, cream cheese dip, holiday appetizer, no cook dip, party dip, spicy dip, cranberry jalapeño recipe