Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is a sweet-tart, lightly spicy appetizer that needs no baking and is ready in 5 minutes. It is a good way to use up leftover cranberry sauce, and it fits right in on a Thanksgiving table, Christmas party or holiday snack board.
This cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip gets its flavor from cranberry sauce mixed with fresh jalapeños, cilantro and a little sugar, spread over a layer of cream cheese. The jalapeños add mild heat, the sugar balances the tart cranberries, and the cream cheese keeps it creamy.
Planning your holiday appetizer spread? Our Cranberry Brie Bites pair cranberry sauce with creamy Brie and flaky puff pastry. Our Whipped Goat Cheese is a tangy dip that works well on a holiday snack board.
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Ingredients
This dip comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients, and the orange juice and zest are optional.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Cream Cheese: Creates the smooth, creamy base for the cranberry topping.
- Jalapeños: Fresh jalapeños add a little heat to the topping.
- Cilantro: Adds a light herbal flavor that does not overpower the cranberry. Chives are a good substitute if you prefer.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the tartness of the cranberry sauce.
- Orange Juice and Zest, Optional: Add extra brightness to the topping.
- Cranberry sauce: Gives the topping its sweet-tart flavor, which pairs well with the creamy cheese and fresh jalapeños.
All you need is a food processor to finely chop the jalapeños and cilantro. A hand mixer is optional, but I find it easier to beat the cream cheese.
Variations
- Adjust the Heat: Remove all the jalapeño seeds for a milder topping, or add more jalapeño or a few seeds for extra spice.
- Make it with Sour Cream: Stir a little sour cream into the cream cheese for a softer, tangier base.
- Add Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top just before serving.
How to Make Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
This dip comes together quickly in just a few simple steps, with no baking needed.
Spread softened cream cheese on a serving plate or shallow bowl; you can beat it in a bowl with a hand mixer to make it easier to spread.
In the base of a food processor, add jalapeños, cilantro, sugar, orange zest and 1 tablespoon orange juice, if using. Pulse until fine and transfer to a small bowl.
Add the cranberry sauce to the bowl and mix well to combine. An optional step is to strain the cranberry mixture before spreading it over the cream cheese.
Hint: Strain the cranberry mixture before spreading it if it looks watery, so extra liquid does not pool on the cream cheese.
Recipe Tips
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Room-temperature cream cheese spreads more easily. For a smoother, whipped texture, beat it with a hand mixer.
- Taste Before Adjusting: Cranberry sauce varies in sweetness, so taste the mixture before cutting back the sugar or adding the orange juice and zest.
- Spread Evenly: A layer about ½ inch thick works well. You can go thinner or thicker, but keep in mind a thinner layer leaves less cranberry for coverage.
For another dip with fresh, herby ranch flavor that pairs well with crackers and vegetables, try our Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip.
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Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled, but allow it sit out of the fridge to soften before serving.
- Freezer: The texture of the dip may change in the freezer, so freeze the cranberry mixture separately in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Use it as needed with freshly softened cream cheese.
Serving Suggestions
- More Holiday Apps: Mini Cheese Balls, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers,
- Party Desserts: Mini Pecan Pies, Cherries in the Snow, Pistachio Shortbread Cookies, Sheet Pan Brownies, and Baileys Truffles.
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Recipe FAQs
Make the cranberry mixture ahead and refrigerate it separately from the cream cheese. Spread it on closer to serving time to keep the topping neat and stop liquid from collecting.
It is very lightly spicy. This version uses two seeded jalapeños, so the heat stays mild.
Ritz crackers, pretzel crisps, pita chips and toasted baguette slices are all good choices. It also works on a holiday appetizer board with cheese balls and other dips.
Homemade cranberry sauce works well, including leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas sauce.
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Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 8- ounce blocks cream cheese room temperature
- 2 jalapenos seeded and roughly chopped
- ½ cup cilantro loosely packed
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- orange juice and zest optional
- 1 cup cranberry sauce I use leftovers
Instructions
- Spread softened cream cheese on a serving plate or shallow bowl; you can beat it in a bowl with a hand mixer to make it easier to spread.
- In the base of a food processor, add jalapeños, cilantro, sugar, orange zest and 1 tablespoon orange juice, if using. Pulse until fine and transfer to a small bowl.
- Add the cranberry sauce to the bowl and mix well to combine. An optional step is to strain the cranberry mixture before spreading it over the cream cheese.
Notes
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Room-temperature cream cheese spreads more easily. For a smoother, whipped texture, beat it with a hand mixer.
- Taste Before Adjusting: Cranberry sauce varies in sweetness, so taste the mixture before cutting back the sugar or adding the orange juice and zest.
- Spread Evenly: A layer about ½ inch thick works well. You can go thinner or thicker, but keep in mind a thinner layer leaves less cranberry for coverage.
- Strain Excess Liquid:Strain the cranberry mixture before spreading it if it looks watery, so extra liquid does not pool on the cream cheese.
- Refrigerator: Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled, but allow it sit out of the fridge to soften before serving.
- Freezer: The texture of the dip may change in the freezer, so freeze the cranberry mixture separately in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Use it as needed with freshly softened cream cheese.
Nutrition
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