Zesty Cranberry Jalapeno Dip Recipe: Spice Up Your Party Table!

Creamy, tangy dips often surprise guests at gatherings, and this spicy cranberry jalapeño dip brings unexpected excitement to the table.

Vibrant red cranberries dance with fiery jalapeño peppers, creating a bold flavor profile that tantalizes taste buds.

Rich cream cheese provides a smooth base for this zesty appetizer.

The combination of sweet, tart, and spicy elements makes this dip an instant crowd-pleaser.

Perfect for holiday parties or casual game nights, it delivers a punch of flavor that keeps people coming back for more.

Serve with crisp crackers or fresh vegetables to complement its dynamic taste.

You’ll want to make extra, because this dip disappears faster than anyone expects.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 152 kcal

Servings: 8

Cranberry Jalapeno Dip Ingredient Breakdown

• Cranberries: Vibrant, tart berries that provide a zesty punch and beautiful color to the dip.
• Sugar: Balances the cranberries' tartness and helps create a glossy, sweet-tangy mixture.
• Jalapenos: Adds a spicy kick and bright green color, choose firm peppers with smooth skin.
• Green Onions: Provides a mild onion flavor and fresh crunch, use white and green parts.
• Cilantro: Brings a fresh, herbaceous note that complements the spicy and tart elements.
• Lime Juice: Brightens the flavors and adds a citrusy zing, freshly squeezed works best.

• Cream Cheese: Creamy, smooth foundation that creates a rich and luxurious base for the dip.
• Select full-fat cream cheese for best texture and flavor, allow to soften at room temperature.

• Crackers: Crisp vessels for scooping the dip, choose sturdy varieties.
• Tortilla Chips: Adds a festive, crunchy element with a hint of salt.
• Toasted Baguette Slices: Elegant option that provides a rustic, crispy texture.

Tools to Grab for Jalapeno Dip

• Food Processor: Essential for quickly and evenly chopping cranberries without turning them into a mushy paste.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining cranberry topping ingredients and allowing flavors to blend.
• Serving Platter/Dish: Ideal for spreading cream cheese and creating a beautiful layered presentation.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for finely dicing jalapenos, green onions, and cilantro.
• Measuring Spoons/Cups: Crucial for accurately measuring ingredients like sugar, lime juice, and salt.
• Spatula or Spoon: Great for mixing ingredients and spreading layers smoothly.

Mix & Make Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

• Blend Cranberries Roughly

Grab fresh cranberries and pulse them in a food processor until they’re coarsely chopped without turning into mush. The goal is a chunky texture that’ll add awesome crunch to your dip.

• Create Zesty Cranberry Mixture

Toss the chopped cranberries into a bowl and jazz them up with sugar, diced jalapenos, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, tangy lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together until well combined. Cover and park this mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let the flavors get to know each other.

• Build Creamy Foundation

Take softened cream cheese and spread it smoothly across your serving dish, creating a luscious base that’ll cradle the cranberry topping.

• Layer and Garnish

Scoop the chilled cranberry mixture over the cream cheese, spreading it evenly to create a vibrant, colorful top layer. Grab some crispy crackers, tortilla chips, or toasted baguette slices and dive right in.

Helpful Notes for Jalapeno Dip

• Flavor-Boosting Tip: Let the cranberry mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight to develop deeper, more complex flavors that will make your dip taste incredibly rich and vibrant.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dip up to 24 hours in advance, which helps the ingredients blend and intensify their taste, perfect for party planning or last-minute gatherings.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the jalapeno quantity to match your heat preference – remove seeds for mild warmth or add extra for a fiery kick that'll excite heat lovers.
• Diet-Friendly Twist: Create a lighter version by using reduced-fat cream cheese and serving with vegetable sticks like cucumber, bell peppers, or carrot slices for a low-carb, healthier alternative to chips.
• Festive Presentation Hack: Garnish the top with extra chopped cilantro, a sprinkle of lime zest, or some finely diced green onions to add color and fresh visual appeal that'll make your dip look as delicious as it tastes.

Serve Up Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

• Festive Fiesta Platter: Arrange colorful tortilla chips, crispy crackers, and toasted baguette slices in a circular pattern around the dip for a visually stunning presentation.
• Holiday Appetizer Station: Create a grazing board with various dippables like fresh vegetable sticks, soft pretzels, and different chip varieties to complement the tangy-spicy flavor profile.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Pair this dip with cold beverages like margaritas or craft beer, making it perfect for sports gatherings, movie nights, or casual get-togethers with friends.
• Gourmet Gift Idea: Package the dip in a cute mason jar with a ribbon, accompanied by homemade crackers or artisan chips for a thoughtful homemade hostess gift.

Store Jalapeno Dip

• Smart Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate the cranberry mixture for at least 2 hours to enhance flavor depth and allow ingredients to blend perfectly. This resting period helps develop a more complex taste profile.
• Flavor Timing Tip: Prepare the dip a day ahead for maximum taste intensity. The overnight refrigeration allows ingredients to marry and create a more vibrant, harmonious blend.
• Storage Solution: Keep the dip sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cream cheese base remains fresh and the cranberry topping maintains its zesty character.
• Serving Suggestion: Bring the dip to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the cream cheese and allow flavors to shine. Serve with crisp crackers or toasted bread for the best texture contrast.

Spicy Cranberry Jalapeno Dip Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Spicy cranberry jalapeño dip delivers a perfect balance of tangy and heat from classic Mexican flavor profiles. Holiday gatherings and game day parties welcome this simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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• 1 12 oz (340 g) bag fresh cranberries
• 2 8 oz (226 g) packages cream cheese, softened
• 2 fresh jalapenos, seeds removed, finely diced
• ¼ cup green onions, finely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1/8 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Pulse cranberries in a food processor to achieve a coarse, textured consistency without creating a puree.
2. Mixing: Combine chopped cranberries with finely diced jalapenos, green onions, and fresh cilantro in a mixing bowl, incorporating lime juice and salt to enhance the flavor profile.
3. Marinating: Refrigerate the cranberry mixture for a minimum of two hours, allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify their collective taste.
4. Assembly: Spread softened cream cheese evenly across the base of a serving dish, creating a smooth foundation for the dip.
5. Topping: Carefully layer the chilled cranberry mixture over the cream cheese, ensuring complete and visually appealing coverage.
6. Finishing: Garnish with additional chopped cilantro or green onions, and serve alongside crisp crackers, golden tortilla chips, or thinly sliced toasted baguette for a delightful appetizer experience.

Notes

• Chop Cranberries Carefully: Use quick pulses in the food processor to maintain a coarse, chunky texture without creating a mushy puree.
• Manage Jalapeno Heat: Seed and remove white membranes from peppers to control spice level, allowing guests with different heat tolerances to enjoy the dip.
• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let the cranberry mixture rest in the refrigerator for at least two hours, enabling ingredients to blend and develop a more complex taste profile.
• Serve at Optimal Temperature: Bring the dip to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and ensure a smooth, spreadable consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg