Description

This Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is a delightful blend of tart cranberries, spicy jalapeño, and fresh herbs combined with smooth cream cheese and sour cream. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any party, this dip offers a refreshing twist on the classic cranberry sauce with a creamy, zesty kick. Serve chilled with crackers or baguette slices for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cranberry Relish

6 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) fresh cranberries
2 green onions
1 small jalapeño
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 to 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro (small handful)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Pinch of salt

For the Dip

16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon heavy cream
Additional fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Pulse Cranberries: In a food processor or blender, pulse the fresh cranberries until they are coarsely chopped to create the base of the relish.
Prepare Green Onions: Trim the root ends off the green onions and coarsely chop both the green and white parts, then add them to the food processor with the cranberries.
Prepare Jalapeño: Slice the jalapeño in half lengthwise, remove the stem, and optionally remove seeds if less heat is desired. Coarsely chop the jalapeño and add to the food processor.
Add Seasonings & Pulse: Add the granulated sugar, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and pinch of salt to the food processor. Pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and well combined. Scrape the mixture into a covered container and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours or up to 24 hours to allow flavors to meld and sugar to dissolve.
Whip Cream Cheese Mixture: Using a handheld or stand mixer, whip the softened cream cheese until light and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the sour cream and heavy cream, then continue mixing for another 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Combine Relish & Cream Cheese: Drain any excess liquid from the chilled cranberry relish to prevent runniness. Add about 2/3 cup of the relish to the whipped cream cheese mixture and mix on low speed until evenly combined.
Serve the Dip: Transfer the creamy cranberry dip to a serving bowl. Top with the remaining cranberry relish and extra fresh cranberries if desired. Serve chilled with crackers or slices of baguette for an elegant appetizer.

Notes

Removing the seeds from the jalapeño reduces the heat level, but keeping them will add extra spice.
Allowing the relish to rest in the fridge enhances the flavor and dissolves the sugar.
Drain the cranberry relish well before adding to the cream cheese to avoid a watery dip.
This dip can be made up to a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese, sour cream and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Blending
Cuisine: American

Keywords: creamy cranberry dip, jalapeño dip, holiday appetizer, cranberry relish, party dip, green onion dip, cream cheese dip