Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
This year, shake things up with this Cranberry Jalapeno Dip—a bold, colorful recipe that perfectly blends sweet and spicy flavors. Made with fresh ingredients and ready in minutes, this vibrant dish is as eye-catching as it is delicious.
Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or a casual party, this dish will bring a touch of the season to your table. With its bold flavors and seasonal charm, it’s sure to become a holiday favorite.
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If you love cranberries, try this Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing with 15-minute Cranberry Sauce. They are both perfect for your holiday table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This sweet and spicy cranberry relish is perfect for parties, like my broiled spicy party shrimp, especially during the holidays.
- It’s super easy to prepare and tastes fantastic. You can make this up to 3 days in advance and top your cream cheese as guests arrive. I believe it tastes better when you make it ahead.
- The red and green colors are festive and perfect for the holiday season, making it a hit at any gathering. When served as a holiday dip, like my jalapeno popper dip, it always seems to fly off the table with its fresh taste and festive appearance.
🥘Here’s What You’ll Need
This relish is a bit unusual, but trust me—the ingredients come together in the best way possible. They create a flavor combination that’s unique and downright irresistible. It looks as good as it tastes, and your guests will ask for the recipe.
- Fresh Cranberries—Cranberries can be a little tart, but their flavor will pop when combined with the other ingredients.
- Green Onions – I use the white and green of the onions. Dice them very small.
- Jalapenos – These provide a little kick of heat. Remove the seeds if you don’t like the heat. Mince the peppers small.
- Fresh Cilantro Leaves – The cilantro adds more color and flavor.
- Salt – The salt balances out the tartness of the cranberries.
- Lime Juice – Provides a fresh citrus element to the mix.
- Sugar – Brings more sweetness and balances the tart cranberries.
- Cream Cheese – Use any brand of softened cream cheese. Whipped cream cheese might be easier to spread.
📖Recipe Substitutions
Here are a few substitutions for this bold and festive holiday dip:
🔪How To Make This Recipe
This cranberry relish is incredibly easy to whip up, making it great for the busy holiday season.
Step 1: Pulse cranberries in a food processor a few times until coarsely chopped. Add to a medium bowl.
Step 2: Pulse the jalapenos until minced, and add them to the bowl with the other ingredients (except the cream cheese).
Step 3: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. For the best flavor, let this relish chill in the fridge for at least 6-8 hours or overnight.
Step 4: When ready to serve, remove the cranberry mixture from the refrigerator and drain the liquid. Add to the top of cream cheese or pork.
Pro Tips: Pulse the cranberries in a food processor 6-8 times or until they are coarsely chopped. To mince the jalapenos, throw them into the food processor (after you remove the chopped cranberries) and pulse several times. This will ensure no one gets a big bite of pepper.
How To Serve Cranberry Jalapeno Relish
This cranberry cream cheese spread might become your new holiday favorite and pairs perfectly with pork. The tangy-sweet and slightly spicy relish compliments tenderloin, southern-fried pork chops, and even holiday ham. If serving this with pork, spoon over the meat or serve alongside.
If serving as an appetizer, spread the softened cream cheese onto a pie plate or a serving dish or leave it as a block. Top the cream cheese with the cranberry mixture and serve with crackers, pita chips, or your favorite dippers.
❔Recipe FAQs
This cranberry mixture will keep well covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It is best kept separately from the cream cheese.
This sweet and tart cranberry mixture is delicious over cream cheese. This holiday appetizer can be served with bagel chips, pita chips, or butter crackers. It is also great served over pork.
Yes. I buy extra bags of cranberries when they are in season and freeze them. They are great for year-round fast and easy cranberry sauce and cranberry orange bread.
Like my jalapeno pepper jelly, this dip has a kick but is not too spicy. The other ingredients balance the sweetness and the heat well. Removing the seeds will also help with the heat.
More Cranberry and Jalapeno Recipes
If you tried this Cranberry Jalapeno Dip or any other recipe on my blog, please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe:
Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
Ingredients
- 12 oz. bag Fresh Cranberries
- 6-8 Green Onions diced
- 2 Jalapenos deseeded, minced
- ¼ cup Fresh Cilantro Leaves minced
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Lime Juice
- ¾ cup Sugar
Instructions
- Pulse cranberries in a food processor a few times until coarsely chopped.
- In a medium bowl, add cranberries, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, lime juice, sugar, and salt, stirring until blended.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, remove the cranberry mixture from the refrigerator and drain the liquid. Recipe Tip: For the best flavor, let this relish chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight. Drain the juice before serving over cream cheese or pork.
Yummy and festive
Thank you!
This one deserves every single star. I was skeptical of the combination of flavors – but I trusted Gina would set me straight when I tasted it. The cranberries complimented the jalapenos in such a unique & pleasant way that my hesitation went by the wayside.
Thank you, Will! Yes, the flavors all work together to make a delightful dip for the holidays.
Such a great recipe!
Thank you, Casey!
So good!!!
Thank you! This is the perfect appetizer!
I made this dip last weekend and it was a huge hit! So easy and festive!