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If you’ve been wanting to try this viral cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip, don’t let the season pass you by without making a batch for your next gathering. This 15-minute appetizer is sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy, with plenty of decadent cream cheese to balance it out.
Attending any fun holiday parties this season? Be sure to check out my other appetizers, side dishes, and other Thanksgiving recipes.
Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
My grandma used to make this cranberry jalapeno dip during the holidays when I was growing up. It’s a very old-school recipe, and I’m so glad to see its resurgence on the internet. It seems to have gained popularity on social media over the last two years, and I’m surprised it’s taken me this long to recreate it for my blog. I’ll be sharing a few tweaks to improve the versions I’ve seen online (like ways to prevent the cranberries from bleeding into the cream cheese) to make it more similar to my family recipe.
The Best Thanksgiving Appetizer
Are you ready to eat your weight in cranberries and cream cheese? Because this dip is really THAT good!
Cranberries are combined with sugar, lemon juice, jalapeños, cilantro, and green onions to make a sweet and spicy dip that is served over a bed of softened cream cheese. Think of this as a cross between a salsa and a jam. If you have ever enjoyed a pepper jelly over cream cheese, this has a very similar flavor profile but with much more festive flavors.
What You’ll Need
This viral cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip is fresh and delicious, using simple ingredients. We’ll easily whip together the cranberry jalapeno relish, then serve it over a bed of cream cheese. Be sure to review the recipe card toward the bottom of the page for measurements.
Cranberries – be sure to clean and pick through the cranberries to discard any stems or spoiled cranberries. If you cannot locate fresh cranberries, frozen/thawed can be used as an alternative.
Sugar – granulated sugar will balance out the intense bitter flavor from the cranberries.
Jalapeno – fresh jalapeños with the seeds (unless you don’t want much spice).
Green Onion – this adds a mild onion flavor.
Cilantro & Cumin – it’s just the right amount of cilantro and cumin to make this dip slightly savory.
Lemon Juice – the tang brightens up the cranberry jalapeno dip.
Cream Cheese – two blocks of softened cream cheese. I don’t recommend whipped as the texture is different from standard cream cheese.
How to Make Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
In a food processor, add the cranberries and pulse until they are coarsely minced. Add in the sugar, jalapeno, green onion, cilantro, cumin, and lemon juice. Blend together, scraping down the sides a few times, until the mixture is finely chopped.
Place the two blocks of softened cream cheese on the serving plate and use a spatula to mash and spread the cream cheese into an even layer about 1/4 thick.
Use a slotted spoon, sieve, or cheese cloth to drain the excess juices (you can set this aside for cocktails). Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly over the cream cheese. For a festive look, add a whole cranberry in the center along with a few cilantro leaves.
Tried and True Tips
- Making this cranberry cream cheese dip ahead will not only save you time, but the flavors will also continue to meld together, becoming even more delicious. I would make this the day before or the morning of a dinner gathering (8-24 hours ahead).
- Draining off the excess liquid is key. It’s unappealing to have lots of cranberry syrup running all over the cream cheese (a little is inevitable, as you’ll see pictured). It just makes things weird, in terms of both the texture of the cream cheese and the runny appearance. If more accumulates before serving, simply pour it off carefully before serving.
- You can serve this with a variety of dippers from pita chips to Ritz crackers, but our family favorite is Wheat Thins. Truly, nothing compares!
- Fresh is best! Canned cranberries have their purpose in other recipes, but fresh cranberries truly reign supreme here. There is something about that vibrant pop that only fresh cranberries can provide.
Looking for More Thanksgiving Recipes?
Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
Cajun Butter Turkey
Baked Brie Cranberry Puff Pastry
Parmesan Candied Bacon Crackers
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites
Honey Butter Cornbread
I hope you enjoy this cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip recipe. Be sure to comment below with any questions or feedback! If you make these or any other recipes, don’t forget to tag me on IG @BadBatchBaking to be featured on my story. Seeing your recreations makes my day!
Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar adjust if needed based on your preference
- 1/2 lemon, juice of
- 3 scallions, chopped green and white parts
- 1 jalapeno* (with seeds) membranes and stem removed
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- 1/2 – 3/4 tsp cumin start with 1/2 tsp, taste and add more if needed
- pinch of salt
- (2) 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
- wheat crackers for serving
Instructions
- In a food processor, add the cranberries and pulse until they are coarsely chopped. Add in the sugar, lemon juice jalapeno, green onion, cilantro, cumin, and salt. Blend together, scraping down the sides a few times, until the mixture is finely chopped.
- Place the two blocks of softened cream cheese on the serving plate and use a spatula to mash and spread the cream cheese into an even layer about 1/4 thick.
- Use a slotted spoon, sieve, or cheesecloth to drain most the excess juices (you can set this aside for cocktails). Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly over the cream cheese. For a festive look, add a whole cranberry in the center along with a few cilantro leaves.
