Irresistible Cranberry Jalapeno Dip Recipe Perfect for Parties
The perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy—this Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is bound to be the star of your next holiday spread. It’s so simple to make, yet it brings all the holiday vibes to the table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries (fresh or frozen, thawed if frozen)
- 2–3 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
- 2 stalks green onions, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Two 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
- Crackers or chips for serving (e.g., pita chips, Ritz crackers, or sliced baguette)
Instructions
- Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Place them in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped but not pureed. Alternatively, chop them finely with a sharp knife.
- Transfer the chopped cranberries into a medium-sized bowl. Add the finely chopped jalapenos, green onions, cilantro, sugar, lime juice, and salt. Stir everything together until well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Take the softened cream cheese and use a spatula to spread it evenly onto your serving platter. Aim for a smooth, even layer about 1/4-inch thick.
- Spoon the chilled cranberry-jalapeno mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading it out evenly across the top.
- Arrange crackers, chips, or bread slices around the platter, and serve immediately. If not serving right away, cover the assembled dip with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
Notes
Use fresh cranberries for vibrant flavor, adjust spice level by removing jalapeno seeds, and refrigerate the cranberry mixture to allow flavors to meld. If the cranberry topping is too watery, drain excess liquid before assembling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 2 tabl
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Cranberry Jalapeno Dip, holiday appetizer, party dip, festive dip, cream cheese dip, spicy dip, sweet and spicy dip