Jalapeño Cranberry Dip (Sweet, Spicy & Perfect for the Holidays)

This Jalapeño Cranberry Dip combines sweet cranberry sauce with spicy jalapeños and cream cheese — a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!

Jalapeño Cranberry Dip: The Perfect Holiday Balance

If you love a mix of sweet and savory, this Jalapeño Cranberry Dip is your new go-to appetizer. Bright, tart cranberries pair perfectly with spicy jalapeños and smooth cream cheese — creating a festive, flavorful dish that’s sure to stand out at any holiday spread.

It’s easy to make, stunning on the table, and gone in minutes. Serve it with crackers, baguette slices, or tortilla chips — and prepare for the compliments to roll in!

Recipe Card

Servings: 8–10 Prep Time: 10 minutes Chill Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped

• 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced (adjust to taste)

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

Instructions

1. Make the Cranberry Mixture: In a food processor, pulse the cranberries a few times until coarsely chopped (don’t purée).

2. Add Flavor: Transfer cranberries to a medium bowl and stir in sugar, green onions, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mix well and cover.

3. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to let the flavors meld and the sugar dissolve.

4. Assemble the Dip: Spread softened cream cheese evenly on a serving platter or in a shallow dish. Spoon the cranberry mixture over the top, spreading gently.

5. Serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature with crackers, tortilla chips, or toasted baguette slices.

Tips for the Best Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

• For extra heat, leave in a few jalapeño seeds.

• Make the cranberry topping up to 2 days ahead — it gets even better as it sits.

• If it’s too tart, add 1 extra tablespoon of sugar.

• Try whipped cream cheese for a lighter, fluffier base.

• Garnish with extra cilantro or green onions before serving for a festive finish.

Final Thoughts

This Jalapeño Cranberry Dip is a holiday appetizer that hits all the right notes — sweet, spicy, tangy, and creamy. It’s as pretty as it is tasty and guaranteed to steal the spotlight on your appetizer table.

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