Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Recipe

Introduction

This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is a vibrant and festive appetizer that combines tart cranberries with spicy jalapeños and fresh herbs. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want a flavorful dip with a little kick. Cream cheese adds a smooth base, making it easy to serve with your favorite crackers.

Ingredients

• 1 12-ounce bag cranberries, fresh or frozen
• ¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
• ½ cup green onions, roughly chopped (about 6 green onions or 1 regular bunch)
• 1-2 jalapeño peppers, minced (with seeds for more heat)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
• ⅓ cup white granulated sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened (optional)
• Ritz crackers or crackers of choice, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Roughly chop the cilantro and green onions.
2. Step 2: Mince 1-2 jalapeño peppers. Keep the seeds for more heat or remove them for a milder dip.
3. Step 3: Juice 1 lime to yield about 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
4. Step 4: In a food processor fitted with a medium blade, combine cranberries, chopped cilantro, chopped green onions, minced jalapeño, lime juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
5. Step 5: Pulse 8-10 times until the mixture reaches a medium, relish-like consistency. Avoid over-processing to retain texture.
6. Step 6: Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add more sugar for sweetness, more jalapeño for heat, or extra lime juice for brightness if needed.
7. Step 7: Spread the softened cream cheese evenly on a serving plate or in a 9-inch pie dish.
8. Step 8: Spoon the cranberry jalapeño mixture over the cream cheese layer and spread evenly.
9. Step 9: Refrigerate the dip for up to 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
10. Step 10: Remove from refrigerator 20-30 minutes before serving to bring to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
11. Step 11: Arrange crackers around the dip and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For a smoother dip, process the mixture a few more times, but keep some texture for best results.
• Adjust jalapeño quantity to your heat preference; removing seeds reduces spiciness significantly.
• Try substituting cilantro with fresh parsley if you prefer a milder herb flavor.
• Serve with other dippers like pita chips, veggie sticks, or bread slices for variety.

Storage

Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the cream cheese layer and cranberry mixture covered to maintain freshness. Before serving leftovers, let the dip sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to restore its creamy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dip up to a day before your event. Just cover and refrigerate, then allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Absolutely. Frozen cranberries work well and can be used directly without thawing, which can help keep the mix slightly firmer.

Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 54 reviews

This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is a vibrant, zesty appetizer perfect for holiday parties or anytime you want a flavorful crowd-pleaser. Combining fresh cranberries, spicy jalapeños, zesty lime, and crunchy green onions, this dip delivers a balance of sweet, tart, and heat. Layered over a smooth cream cheese base and served with crackers, it’s easy to prepare using a food processor to achieve a relish-like texture, making it a fresh and colorful starter everyone will love.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including chilling time)
• Yield: About 12 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dip Ingredients

• 1 12-ounce bag cranberries, fresh or frozen
• ¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
• ½ cup green onions, roughly chopped (about 6 green onions or 1 regular bunch)
• 1–2 jalapeño peppers, minced (include seeds for more heat)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
• ⅓ cup white granulated sugar
• 1 pinch salt

Cream Cheese Layer

• 1 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened (optional)

To Serve

• Ritz crackers or crackers of choice

Instructions

1. Make the Cranberry Mixture: In a food processor fitted with a medium blade, combine 12 ounces of fresh or frozen cranberries, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, ½ cup chopped green onions, and 1-2 minced jalapeño peppers. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice, ⅓ cup white sugar, and a pinch of salt.
2. Pulse to Desired Consistency: Pulse the mixture 8-10 times until it reaches a medium, relish-like texture. Be careful not to over-process, as you want some texture rather than a smooth puree.
3. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dip and adjust as needed—add more sugar for sweetness, more jalapeño for extra heat, or additional lime juice for brightness.
4. Spread Cream Cheese: Evenly spread the softened 8-ounce block of cream cheese in a layer on a serving plate or a 9-inch pie dish.
5. Top with Cranberry Mixture: Spread the prepared cranberry-jalapeño mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
6. Chill: Refrigerate the dip for up to 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. For best flavor and texture, remove from the refrigerator 20-30 minutes before serving to let it come to room temperature.
7. Serve: Arrange crackers around the dip and serve at room temperature for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• For a milder dip, remove the seeds from the jalapeño peppers before mincing.
• Adjust the amount of sugar based on your taste preference, especially if cranberries are very tart.
• The cream cheese layer is optional but adds a creamy contrast to the tart and spicy topping.
• Using a food processor helps achieve the ideal relish-like texture without making the dip too smooth.
• Letting the dip sit for a while before serving enhances the melding of flavors.

Keywords: cranberry dip, jalapeño dip, cream cheese dip, holiday appetizer, easy party dip, spicy cranberry relish