Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
