Flavorful Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
A quick and easy dip combining tart cranberry sauce, spicy jalapeños, and smooth cream cheese for a flavorful party appetizer that’s both festive and everyday-friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1–2 medium jalapeño peppers, finely diced (seeds removed for milder heat)
- 1 cup (240 ml) cranberry sauce, canned or homemade
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lime juice
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften.
- Wearing gloves if sensitive, finely dice 1 to 2 jalapeños, removing seeds and membranes for milder heat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and cranberry sauce. Stir gently until smooth and even.
- Add garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Fold in evenly, tasting to adjust seasoning.
- Gently mix in the diced jalapeños and sliced green onions, keeping some texture and color contrast.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and dip firm up.
- Before serving, stir the dip and garnish with extra green onions or jalapeño slices.
Notes
If the dip is too thick after chilling, stir in a teaspoon of milk or lime juice to loosen it. For a smoother texture, a handheld electric mixer can be used but is not necessary. Adjust jalapeño heat by removing seeds or using fewer peppers. Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Protein: 1
Keywords: cranberry dip, jalapeño dip, cream cheese dip, party appetizer, easy dip recipe, holiday dip, spicy dip, quick dip