Looking for a fun dip for your next holiday party? This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip recipe is a unique and delicious treat made of tart cranberries and jalapeños for that little kick that everyone will enjoy.
Be ready with plenty of crackers because your guests and family will surely devour this dip in no time during potlucks, gatherings, and holiday celebrations!
Spice Up Your Holiday With Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
This Cranberry Jalapeno Dip is the appetizer that you need for the holiday season. The vibrant red color of cranberries and the lively green color of jalapeño peppers add a festive flair to any party spread. If you like a little spice, you’ll enjoy the heat of the jalapeños mixed together with the sweetness and tanginess of the cranberries.
And the best part is that this recipe is super easy to make. All you need is 15 minutes to whip a few ingredients like cranberries, jalapeños, and cream cheese. You can make a large batch beforehand to serve for future celebrations, and you’ll be surprised that the flavor gets even better as the ingredients meld together.
If you want more delicious dip appetizers, check out my other recipes like 5 Ingredient Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip and Sweet Strawberry Pretzel Dip.
Ingredients Needed
Now, let’s gather the ingredients that you’ll need to make this flavorful dip.
- Cranberries: This key ingredient provides the dip’s sweet and tart flavors while providing a visual red appeal and slightly chunky texture. I use fresh cranberries for the best taste. You can tell that the fruits are fresh when they have a bright red color and feel firm.
- Jalapeño: You only need a single jalapeño to give a little heat to your dip recipe. Choose a ripe jalapeño with a vibrant, deep green color. It should be firm to the touch without any blemishes.
- Scallions: You’ll want scallions or green onions for their mild sweetness, crunch, and a little pop of green color for that festive mood. Choose medium- to large sized scallions because they provide a good balance of flavor and crunch. They should be fresh with green tops and firm white parts.
- Lime juice: To make the dip more refreshing and balance out all the flavors, you’ll need some lime juice. I use fresh lime, which has a bright green color and a little give to squeeze out the juice easily.
- Cream cheese: This ingredient does a lot of things to the dip recipe. It binds and balances the flavors of the ingredients while providing a smooth texture. When buying cream cheese, go regular full-fat to achieve a rich texture and authentic flavor.
- Sugar: I use sugar to cut down the tartness of the fresh raw cranberries, making them even sweeter. Choose white sugar because it easily dissolves and provides a clean flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Salt: I use this ingredient to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients, making the cranberries sweeter and the jalapeño spicier. If possible, choose Kosher or sea salt because they have a milder taste than table salt.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Let’s start mixing these ingredients!
Combine All The Ingredients (Except The Cream Cheese)
- First, prepare the ingredients. Roughly chop the scallion, deseed and chop the jalapeño, and juice the lime.
- In a food processor, add the cranberries, scallions, jalapeño, lime juice, sugar, and salt.
Pulse Into Fine Chunks
- Close the lid of the food processor.
- Pulse into short bursts, like 3-5 seconds, until the cranberries and jalapeño are finely chopped.
Drain The Liquid
- Transfer the cranberry mixture to a fine mesh strainer.
- Place it over a bowl and press with a spoon to drain all the liquids.
- Set the liquid aside for future use.
Whip The Cream Cheese
- Add the softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl.
- With an electric mixer with a whisk or paddle attachment, whip the cream cheese on high speed for 5 minutes or until it’s fluffy and light without any lumps.
- If you’re using a hand mixer, whisk the cream cheese in circular motions vigorously.
Assemble
- Add the whipped cream cheese into half of the cranberry mixture. Mix by hand or mixer at low speed.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture into a serving bowl.
- Add and spread the remaining half of the cranberry mixture over the top.
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Success
- Don’t over-blend the ingredients in the food processor. You want chunks, not puree.
- Before whipping the cream cheese, soften it at your countertop for 30 minutes or at the microwave into smaller cubes for 10-15 seconds at a time.
- Adjust the spice level of the dip. Reduce or add the number of chopped jalapeños one at a time until you arrive at your desired taste.
- Start with a small amount of sugar and add as you go to achieve the desired sweetness of the dip.
- Always use fresh cranberries to achieve a bright, tart flavor. If you can only access some frozen cranberries, thaw them first before use.
Variation Ideas
- If you want a sweeter twist, add some diced mangoes or pineapples to the mix.
- Add some chopped fresh cilantro or parsley if you want to add a burst of herbaceous flavor to the dip.
- Try substituting jalapeño with serrano peppers for a spicier kick.
- You can also roast your jalapeño to give a smoky flavor to the dip.
- Try adding in cowboy candy, aka pickled jalapenos, instead of fresh.
- Add some lime zest to provide a more intense citrus taste.
- For extra crunch, add finely chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.
Serving Suggestions
This dip is best served chilled to allow the ingredients to meld together. For a better taste, chill the dip in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with extra chopped fresh scallion and jalapeno in a decorative bowl.
Here are other ways to enjoy your cranberry jalapeno dip.
With Drinks: The complex flavor of the dip enhances more with a pair of refreshing drinks like margaritas, cold white wine, and limeade.
As a dip: Typically, you serve this dip with a variety of dippers like crackers, tortilla chips, pita chips, bread slices, pretzels, and vegetable sticks like carrots and celery.
As a spread: Make your sandwiches, wraps, and toasts more interesting with a spread of this cranberry dip.
As a topping: To make your baked brie even more delicious, you can top it with this sweet and spicy dip.
Part of a dip platter: For variety, you can add a bowl of this spicy cranberry dip on your dip platter together with other dips like salsa and guacamole.
Storing Leftovers
You can enjoy this sweet and spicy dip for up to 3-4 days in the fridge and 1-2 months in the freezer when properly stored. Here are ways to properly store this dip.
Freezer: Keep your dip in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to serve, thaw the frozen dip in the refrigerator overnight and give it a stir to restore the mixture.
First, you need to cool the dip to room temperature before storage.
Refrigerator: Store the dip in a shallow, airtight container. When it’s time to serve, give a quick stir to blend all the ingredients that may have separated.
Dip Reicpes
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
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Do you have a question about this recipe❓ I will answer in the comment form below👇🏼 the recipe card. Did you make this recipe? If so, could you be a gem and leave a comment and rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below? This helps others find yummy 😋 recipes to make for their family and friends.
Sweet And Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cranberries, fresh
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, deseeded and chopped
- 1 juice of a lime
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 10 ounces cream cheese, softened
Instructions
Prepare the Cranberry Mixture
- Add the cranberries, chopped scallions, jalapeño, lime juice, sugar, and salt to a food processor.1 ½ cups cranberries, 2 scallions, 1 jalapeño, 1 juice of a lime, ¼ cup sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped. Do not over-blend; you want it to have some texture.
- Transfer the cranberry mixture to a fine-mesh sieve and place it over a bowl. Let the excess liquid drain off. (Tip: Save the juice for festive cocktails!)
Whip the Cream Cheese:
- In a large bowl, add the softened cream cheese. Using an electric mixer (fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment), whip the cream cheese on high speed for about 5 minutes until smooth and fluffy.10 ounces cream cheese
- Mix half of the drained cranberry mixture into the whipped cream cheese. Stir until fully combined and evenly colored.
Assemble:
- Spread the cream cheese mixture into your serving dish. Spoon the remaining cranberry mixture over the top. Smooth it out or let it naturally cascade for a rustic look.
- Garnish with extra chopped jalapeño or fresh scallion if desired.
Notes
- Serving Ideas: Enjoy with crackers, toasted baguette slices, bagels, or as a spread on baked brie.
- Make-Ahead: This dip can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the Heat: For a milder dip, use only half a jalapeño or remove more seeds. Taste as you go to find your preferred heat level.
- Fresh vs. Dried Cranberries: Stick with fresh cranberries to achieve a bright, tart flavor. Dried cranberries will not work well for this recipe.
- Serving Ideas: Besides crackers, this dip pairs wonderfully with pita chips or even as a topping for baked brie.
I have been making this dip from Thanksgiving through the New Year for years! It is always a crowd pleaser. I make the cranberry mixture and refrigerate it overnight to meld the flavors. When ready to serve, drain the mix. I use whipped cream cheese spread on a platter and all of the mixture spread on top. I don’t add any to the cream cheese. Ritz crackers and their buttery flavor are the crowd favorite for scooping!
I really like the idea of using whipped cream cheese! Thanks for sharing.