This year why not spice up your Christmas dinner with a delicious Cranberry Jalapeno Dip? Also called Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip, this sweet & spicy salsa is the perfect appetizer. Served over smoked cream cheese .
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I recently heard on the radio that cranberry sauce is the least-liked Thanksgiving food! I was so surprised because I personally love it! If like many Americans, you aren't a fan of traditional cranberry sauce, maybe this cranberry jalapeno dip will change your mind!
But this festive fruit salsa is more than just a cranberry sauce and can be enjoyed so many different ways! I like to eat it with crackers and goat cheese or baked brie. It's also great with homemade pita chips.
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🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cranberries: Use fresh and blemish-free cranberries.
- Mint: You can substitute with cilantro, Italian parsley, rosemary, or basil.
- Scallions (green onions): Red onion will work as well.
- Chile Peppers: I used 2 jalapeno peppers and one Serrano, but next time, I might try adding habaneros. The amount of jalapenos added can be adjusted based on their heat level.
- Garlic: Always use fresh garlic, not bottled.
- Spices: Chipotle pepper adds additional heat and smoky flavor.
- Sugar: You can also use brown sugar or add 4-6 packets of Truvia (or your favorite sweetener), tasting in between until it's sweetened to your liking.
*A full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🫐 How To Make Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
Step 1: Begin by washing the cranberries and other veggies. Add cranberries, roughly chopped jalapenos, mint, scallions, and garlic to a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds or until roughly chopped.
Step 2: Use a spatula to transfer the cranberry mixture to a medium bowl. In a separate bowl or a measuring cup, whisk lime juice, orange juice, chipotle pepper, and sea salt until combined. Drizzle over the cranberries, then stir in the brown sugar.
Step 3: Allow the flavors to meld together for at least 20 minutes. Place cream cheese, goat cheese, or smoked cream cheese on a serving dish, then pour the cranberry mixture over it.
🍯 Serving Suggestions
- Eat this cranberry jalapeno dip with crackers and softened cream cheese, goat cheese, or baked brie.
- Enjoy as a fruit salsa with tortilla chips or pita chips.
- Serve for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any occasion!
- Serve as a side dish to accompany this smoked turkey without brine, potatoes, and all your other holiday favorites!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
I would recommend sticking with fresh cranberries because frozen cranberries are likely to be mushy and lack the crisp bite of fresh ones.
Cranberries (and cranberry dip) pair well with so many different cheeses, like goat cheese, cream cheese, brie, Havarti, and fresh mozzarella.
👩🏻🍳 Pro Tips
- If you'd like to make sugar-free cranberry jalapeno dip, substitute the brown sugar with 4 to 6 Truvia packets. Or use half as much sugar and add a few packets of sweetener.
- When adding the brown sugar, make sure there are no hard lumps in it. No one wants to break a tooth on Thanksgiving, am I right?
- Add in a little orange or lime zest to make the dip a little more citrusy.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint for an added pop of color.
- Store this cranberry salsa in the refrigerator, in an air-tight container, for up to 3 days. Although it can probably last longer, the cranberries will begin to get soggy, and the dip will get more watery over time.
🌽 More Dip Recipes
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📖 Recipe
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Ingredients
Method
- Add cranberries, roughly chopped jalapenos, mint, scallions, and garlic to a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds or until roughly chopped.
- Use a spatula to transfer the cranberry mixture to a medium bowl. In a separate bowl or a measuring cup, whisk lime juice, orange juice, chipotle pepper, and sea salt until combined. Drizzle over the cranberries then mix in the brown sugar.
- Allow the flavors to meld together for at least 20 minutes. Place cream cheese, goat cheese, or smoked cream cheese on a serving dish, then pour cranberry mixture over it.
Nutrition
Notes
- If you'd like to make sugar-free cranberry jalapeno dip, substitute the brown sugar with 4 to 6 Truvia packets. Or use half as much sugar and add a few packets of sweetener.
- When adding the brown sugar, make sure there are no hard lumps in it. No one wants to break a tooth on Thanksgiving, am I right?
- Add in a little orange or lime zest to make the dip a little more citrusy.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint for an added pop of color.
- Store this cranberry salsa in the refrigerator, in an air-tight container, for up to 3 days. Although it can probably last longer, the cranberries will begin to get soggy and the dip will get more watery over time.
Alyssa Nelson says
Wow! Not something I thought I’d like, but this is an incredible dip! One of my family members brought this for thanksgiving…I was apprehensive to try it, but I am so glad I did. We enjoyed it over goat cheese, but that was quickly devoured. Next, we put it over cream cheese which was just as enjoyable! Such a hit! Thanks Hilda!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Alyssa, I'm glad you decided to be adventurous and try it. Also, thank you so much for reviewing the recipe!🤗
Lori Ross says
This was way outside my comfort zone and not something I would usually try but I’m so glad we did! I made this with Serrano peppers 🌶 and because I don’t have a food processor I used a food chopper.
Everyone, including my picky eaters loved it! The goat cheese and salsa was gone quickly so I poured more salsa over cream cheese. Easy recipe to follow and will for sure make again. Thanks Hilda for your amazing expertise and always challenging me to try new things! Happy Thanksgiving to all🍁
Hilda Sterner says
I'm so glad you tried it, you're so brave. 😂 I'm also glad it was a hit with the fam!
Kelly Methey says
This sounds so easy and delicious! Such a perfect, festive, colorful appetizer for the Christmas season.
Hilda Sterner says
Yes, ma'am, definitely a new favorite!
Lori Ross says
This was way outside my comfort zone and not something I would usually try but I’m so glad we did! I made this with Serrano peppers 🌶 and because I don’t have a food processor I used a food chopper.
Everyone, including my picky eaters loved it! The goat cheese and salsa was gone quickly so I poured more salsa over cream cheese. Easy recipe to follow and will for sure make again. Thanks Hilda for your amazing expertise and always challenging me to try new things! Happy Thanksgiving to all🍁