Cranberry Dip is for anyone looking to break out of the ordinary party dip routine. It’s a mix of tart cranberries, fresh herbs, and a kick of spice, mellowed with cream cheese until it’s just right for scooping with chips. It comes together in 15 minutes and is the perfect party appetizer.
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Is the Festive Appetizer You Didn’t Know You Needed
This cranberry cream cheese dip doesn’t hide its personality. It’s bold, a little spicy, and completely fresh from real citrus juice and zest from lime, lemon, and orange. The ginger and jalapeño give it just enough heat and zip to balance out the sweetness, while the sugar smooths out the cranberries’ tart flavor.
While this has a bit of sugar, it’s not as sweet as homemade cranberry sauce. Salty chips work best with the flavors and textures in this festive appetizer.
The cream cheese is what ties everything together. Mixing in a little of the cranberry blend first helps it loosen up so you don’t end up with lumps. Once folded in completely, the texture becomes thick, creamy, and easy to serve.
If you’re short on time, you can serve it right after mixing. But letting it chill overnight makes a noticeable difference. Those flavors mellow and mingle for the best flavor.
If you want something more like a salsa, skip the cream cheese entirely. The cranberry mixture holds its own as a vibrant, citrusy condiment that works with chips, grilled meats, or even on a holiday cheese board, but I prefer the cream cheese with it. Contrast the flavors and serve it with a warm baked boursin appetizer.
Serve this dip with pretzel crisps, tortilla dips, or crackers, for an easy appetizer for Thanksgiving or Christmas when fresh cranberries are available. It makes a great contrast of flavors when served next to a creamy warm spinach dip.
Grab some fresh cranberries while they’re in season and freeze them. This dip is great along with other game day appetizers.
Your Tart and Spicy Shopping List
This grocery list is full of flavorful ingredients to bring this cranberry dip to life. Don’t forget to check the recipe card for the full list.
Making the Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Everyone Will Beg You For
Step One: Chop the Cranberry Mix
Note: You’re aiming for mostly fine bits with a few larger chunks.
Step Two: Loosen the Cream Cheese
Step Three: Combine the Dip
This dip is the kind of appetizer that surprises people. Tart cranberries, a little heat from the jalapeño, all wrapped up in creamy, citrusy goodness, there’s nothing subtle about it, and that’s why it never lasts long. Serve it with salty chips or pretzel crisps and enjoy all season long.
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Cranberry Jalapeño Dip with Cream Cheese (Festive & Easy)
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- ¼ cup sweet onion
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- 1 lime juice and zest
- 1 lemon juice and zest
- 1 orange zest and orange segments
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
Instructions
- Add cranberries, onion, sugar, jalapeno, lime juice and zest, lemon juice and zest, orange zest, cilantro and grated ginger. Process until it is finely chopped with some larger chunks.
- Add cream cheese to a large bowl and mix until it is smooth. Add a couple tablespoons of the cranberry mixture to the cream cheese and mix until it is incorporated and slightly liquid. This will make it easier for the cream cheese to combine with the cranberry mixture. Fold in the remaining cranberry mixture. Cut the orange into small sections and fold into the mixture. This can be eaten right away, but it is better if it sits overnight.
- Serve with scoop tortilla chips.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- For a spicier version, leave in the seeds from the pepper.
- It is much easier to combine if you add a little of the cranberry mixture to the cream cheese before adding all of it.
Nutrition
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