Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Recipe

Introduction

This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is a vibrant blend of tart cranberries and spicy jalapeños, balanced with creamy cheese for a flavorful crowd-pleaser. Inspired by the popular Costco recipe, it’s perfect for holiday parties or any gathering where you want to impress with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 12 oz fresh cranberries (1 bag)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 small bunch green onions (about 5), chopped
• 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• Optional garnish: extra cilantro or lime zest
• Crackers, tortilla chips, or crostini for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add cranberries, sugar, green onions, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, and salt to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped but still chunky—avoid pureeing it into a smooth sauce.
2. Step 2: Transfer the cranberry salsa to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and balance the sweetness and spice.
3. Step 3: Place the block of cream cheese on a serving plate and let it soften at room temperature for easier spreading.
4. Step 4: Spoon the chilled cranberry jalapeño salsa evenly over the softened cream cheese. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.
5. Step 5: Garnish with extra chopped cilantro or a sprinkle of lime zest if desired. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, or toasted baguette slices.

Tips & Variations

• Pulse rather than puree the salsa to keep a chunky texture, avoiding a watery dip.
• Wear gloves when chopping jalapeños to prevent irritation from the chili oils.
• For a milder dip, reduce the amount of jalapeño or remove seeds completely.
• Swap granulated sugar for honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
• Try whipped goat cheese or Neufchâtel instead of cream cheese for a tangier twist.
• Add finely chopped apple or a bit of orange zest to the salsa for extra fruity notes.
• If you don’t have a food processor, chop all ingredients very finely by hand.

Storage

Store leftover cranberry salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The assembled dip can be made up to 8 hours ahead and kept covered and chilled until serving. To reheat, let the dip come to room temperature or spread the cream cheese fresh and top with stored salsa.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the salsa without a food processor?

Yes, you can finely chop all the ingredients by hand. It will take a bit more time, but the texture and flavor will still be delicious.

How spicy is this dip?

The heat level depends on the number of jalapeños used and how much of the seeds you include. Removing seeds reduces the spice, so start with one jalapeño and adjust to your taste.

Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 116 reviews

This vibrant and flavorful Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is a perfect blend of tart cranberries, spicy jalapeños, and creamy smoothness from the cream cheese. Inspired by a popular Costco recipe, this dip combines fresh ingredients to create a festive appetizer that’s ideal for holiday gatherings, parties, or anytime you want a zesty, colorful dip. The salsa is pulsed to retain a chunky texture, balanced with lime juice and cilantro, then chilled for mellow flavor before being served atop softened cream cheese. Serve it with crackers, tortilla chips, or crostini for a crowd-pleasing starter.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: About 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cranberry-Jalapeño Salsa

• 12 oz fresh cranberries (1 bag)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 small bunch green onions (about 5), chopped
• 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For Assembly

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• Optional garnish: extra cilantro or lime zest
• Crackers, tortilla chips, or crostini for serving

Instructions

1. Prep the Cranberry Salsa: Add cranberries, sugar, green onions, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, and salt to a food processor. Pulse the mixture until it is finely chopped but still chunky — avoid pureeing it into a smooth salsa.
2. Chill the Mixture: Transfer the cranberry salsa into a bowl. Cover it and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This chilling helps balance the flavors by mellowing the sweetness, heat, and acidity.
3. Soften and Spread the Cream Cheese: Place the block of cream cheese on a serving plate and allow it to soften at room temperature for easier spreading. Spread gently or leave unspread for guests to spoon the salsa over.
4. Top with the Salsa: Spoon the chilled cranberry jalapeño salsa evenly over the softened cream cheese. Let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
5. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dip with extra chopped cilantro or lime zest if desired. Serve alongside crackers, tortilla chips, or toasted baguette slices for dipping.

Notes

• Pulse the ingredients rather than blending to keep the salsa chunky, preventing it from turning into a sauce.
• Chill the salsa for at least 2 hours to develop and balance flavors.
• Wear gloves when cutting jalapeños to avoid transferring the spicy oils to your skin or eyes.
• Use softened cream cheese for easier spreading and better blending with the salsa.
• Drain any excess juice from the salsa before layering on the cream cheese to avoid sogginess.
• Make the cranberry salsa up to 2 days ahead and store refrigerated for convenience.
• Assemble the dip fully up to 8 hours before serving, keeping it covered and chilled until ready.
• Leftover salsa is versatile and can be used as a topping on sandwiches, grilled meats, or cheese boards.
• For variations, substitute sugar with honey or maple syrup, or add chopped apple or orange zest for extra fruity notes.

Keywords: cranberry jalapeño dip, Costco recipe, holiday appetizer, creamy dip, spicy cranberry salsa, cream cheese dip, festive party dip