This Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip combines tart cranberries with green onions, jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and a hint of orange zest, all blended into a creamy base of cream cheese and sour cream. It’s garnished with extra cranberries and cilantro, making it as festive as it is delicious. Pair this dip with crackers, chips, or toasted baguettes for a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Make sure to check out our popular Sloppy Joe Dip for another party favorite!
What Makes This Dip So Special?
This dip perfectly balances sweet, tart, creamy, and spicy flavors, thanks to its vibrant mix of ingredients. The cranberries not only bring a seasonal flair but also a bright, tangy punch. Jalapeños add just the right amount of heat, while cream cheese and sour cream create a smooth, rich texture that ties everything together.
To make it even better, garnishing with cranberries and cilantro enhances the holiday aesthetic, making this dip the centerpiece of your snack table.
Tips for Success
- Chill for Best Flavor: Don’t skip chilling the cranberry mixture before assembling the dip. An hour in the fridge lets the flavors meld and creates a thicker, more cohesive texture. If you’re pressed for time, even 20–30 minutes can help.
- Adjust the Spice Level: For a milder version, reduce the jalapeños or use mild peppers like poblano. To amp up the heat, leave in the seeds or swap in spicier peppers like serranos or habaneros.
- Serve Creatively: Beyond crackers and baguettes, try pairing this dip with fresh vegetables, pita chips, or even breadsticks for variety.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cranberries: If fresh cranberries aren’t available, frozen cranberries work well. Thaw and drain them before blending.
- Jalapeños: Substitute with poblano peppers for less heat or serranos for a spicier kick.
- Cilantro: If you’re not a fan, parsley offers a milder, herbaceous flavor.
- Sour Cream: Plain Greek yogurt is a great alternative, or use additional cream cheese for extra richness.
- Orange Flavor: Freshly zested orange adds brightness, but a splash of orange extract could work in a pinch.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This dip keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days in an airtight container. If it thickens too much after chilling, stir in a small amount of sour cream to restore its creamy texture. Freezing is not recommended, as the dairy and cranberry mixture can separate upon thawing.
How Spicy Is It?
While this dip has a gentle kick, the spice is balanced by the creamy base. If you love spicy foods, leave the jalapeño seeds in or add more peppers. For a gentler flavor, remove the seeds and reduce the jalapeños.
Festive Serving Ideas
Get creative when serving this crowd-pleaser:
- Crackers (Ritz are a classic pairing!)
- Pita chips or tortilla chips
- Fresh veggies like cucumber slices, carrots, and celery
- Toasted baguette slices
- Homemade pretzels or breadsticks
Make this Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip the star of your next holiday gathering. Its bold flavors, beautiful presentation, and versatility make it a hit with any crowd!
Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup green onion, roughly chopped
- 2 large jalapeño peppers, seeded and roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, 8 ounces each cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Cranberries, chopped, for garnish
- Cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Jalapenos, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the cranberries, green onion, jalapeños, and cilantro until coarsely chopped, ensuring you do not over-process.
- Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the orange juice, orange zest, granulated sugar, and kosher salt until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- In a separate medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Mix in the sour cream until smooth.
- Using a slotted spoon, add the chilled cranberry mixture to the cream cheese mixture, stirring gently until combined.
- Garnish with chopped cranberries, jalapenos, and cilantro. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, or toasted baguette slices.
This recipe is adapted from Iamhomesteader’s Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip.
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