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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/cranberry-jalapeno-dip-recipe/