This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip uses just 7 simple ingredients (including canned cranberry sauce) to make a spicy & sweet dip that's perfect for holiday snacking!
Paid links used in this post. Read more about my link usage policies.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- So quick & easy. If you can operate a hand mixer, you can make this dip. The prep time on this one is only about 10 minutes!
- Great mix of spicy and sweet. Get that tang of the sweet cranberry sauce with a little kick from the jalapenos. The cream cheese balances everything out for a yummy flavor combo!
- Perfect for a holiday party. You've got a pretty red & green dip that guests will love - and they'll never know it's a shortcut recipe!
Find more great holiday dips: you're going to love this No-Bake Pecan Pie Dip or my Fried Dill Pickle Dip.
🌶️ Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese - Make sure this is softened to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth dip base.
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream - Lighten the recipe up a little bit by using half & half or whole milk instead.
- 14 oz canned whole-berry cranberry sauce - There are other versions of this recipe out there, but I couldn't find a single one that used canned cranberry sauce. I decided to make it super easy - no point in complicating the recipe when there's a simple shortcut!
- 2 tablespoons lime juice - Fresh-squeezed juice is always going to give your recipe more brightness and flavor!
- 2 jalapeno peppers - I'm not normally a big jalapeno fan, but they just work with the sweet cranberry sauce. I do recommend removing the seeds when chopping so the dip doesn't become too spicy. These should be finely diced.
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro - This should be fresh cilantro; the dried variety just doesn't give it that fresh pop it needs. This should also be finely diced.
- ½ cup green onions - Same with the green onions; only use fresh!
Additions & Substitutions
- Add a texture element by topping your dip with ½ cup of pecans.
- Not a fan of whole-berry cranberry sauce? You can use the jellied variety instead! The whole-berry kind is going to give it more texture and more of a fresh feel.
- If you like extra spice, feel free to add an extra jalapeno.
👩🏻🍳 How to Make Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
- MAKE CREAM CHEESE LAYER. Grab your hand mixer and whip together 8oz of softened cream cheese and ¼ cup heavy whipping cream until it’s smooth and fluffy. Spread that creamy goodness in the bottom of a small serving dish.
- MAKE CRANBERRY JALAPENO MIXTURE. In a separate bowl, stir together 1 can of whole-berry cranberry sauce, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 finely chopped jalapeños, and ¼ cup chopped cilantro until it’s well combined.
- LAYER. Pour the cranberry mixture over the whipped cream cheese layer, spreading it out evenly. Garnish with chopped green onions.
- CHILL. Cover the dip with a paper towel so that it is touching the top of the cranberry mixture. Place in the fridge and let the dip chill for 30-40 minutes (or until you’re ready to serve). Check the paper towel periodically; if it's soaked through, change it out for a fresh one.
🎬 Step-By-Step Recipe Video
🥨 Suggested Dippers
You've got the choice of either salty or sweet dippers with this recipe - they both work! A few of my favorites...
- Ritz crackers
- Veggie sticks
- Pita chips
- Pretzel chips
- Toast points
- Club crackers (my personal favorite)
- Apple slices
Pro Tip
The next time you make a turkey sandwich, add a little of this dip - it’s incredible!
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
STORAGE: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I would enjoy this one within 2-3 days of preparing it.
FREEZING: I don't recommend freezing this dip. It's going to lose a lot of that freshness and texture.
📝 More Helpful Tips & Tricks
- Make this ahead of time! One reason this dip is so great for a party - it's perfect to prep up to 24 hours in advance. Just make sure to refrigerate and cover it with a paper towel, changing the paper towel out if it becomes soaked.
- Don't skip the paper towels. This step will draw excess moisture out of the cranberry mixture. If you don't do it, your dip will be watery!
I hope you love this festive Christmas appetizer! 🎄 If you give it a try, I'd love to hear your thoughts - just leave a comment and/or review at the bottom of the post.
Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip uses just 7 simple ingredients (including canned cranberry sauce) to make a spicy & sweet dip that's perfect for holiday snacking!
Affiliate links used in this recipe card.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 14 oz canned whole-berry cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 jalapenos (chopped, seeds removed)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup green onions (chopped)
Instructions
- With a hand mixer, blend 8oz of softened cream cheese and ¼ cup heavy whipping cream until soft and fluffy. Spread in the bottom of a small serving dish.
- In a large bowl, combine 1 can of whole-berry cranberry sauce, 2 tablespoon lime juice, 2 chopped jalapenos, and ¼ cup chopped cilantro. Stir until blended.
- Pour the cranberry mixture over the whipped cream cheese.
- Lay a paper towel directly on top of the cranberry mixture to cover the dip, making sure it touches the surface of the dip. Place your dip in the fridge to chill for 30-40 minutes, or until you’re ready to serve. Check the paper towel occasionally, and if it becomes saturated, replace it with a fresh one. (This helps absorb excess moisture and prevents the dip from being watery.)
Notes
- Prepare this dip in advance! One reason it's a party favorite is that you can make it up to 24 hours ahead of time. Just refrigerate it with a paper towel on top, swapping it out if it gets too damp.
- Don't skip the paper towel step! It helps absorb excess moisture from the cranberry mixture, keeping your dip from turning watery.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 133mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 281IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 0.4mg
Tried this recipe?Rate it in the comments below!
Leslie Lambert is a lifestyle writer and content creator specializing in home organization, family recipes, and intentional living. With 16 years of experience in blogging and digital storytelling, she helps busy women create calm, purposeful homes they love.
