Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip – The Sweet, Spicy, Festive Dip Everyone Loves

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If there’s one appetizer that always disappears first at holiday gatherings, potlucks, or family parties, it’s this creamy cranberry jalapeño dip. It’s sweet, tangy, lightly spicy, perfectly creamy, and incredibly addictive. The flavor balance is unreal — fresh cranberries bring brightness, jalapeños add a little kick, cilantro and green onions add freshness, and the cream cheese–sour cream mixture ties everything together with smooth richness.

This dip tastes like the holidays but works year-round because it’s refreshing, vibrant, and fast to make. It’s the perfect mix of festive color and creamy texture with a sweet heat finish that keeps people coming back for more.

Plus, it’s one of the easiest dips ever: chop, mix, chill, serve. No cooking, no special equipment, and it’s ready in 10 minutes (though it tastes even better after chilling).

Let’s dive into what makes this dip so special — and why you’ll want it at every gathering going forward.

Why This Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Is Amazing

✔ Sweet + spicy + creamy = perfect flavor balance

No one flavor overpowers another.

✔ No cook, no fuss, no stress

Just mix and chill.

✔ Holiday-ready colors

The bright cranberries and greens look gorgeous on any table.

✔ Make ahead friendly

Gets even better after chilling.

✔ Great with any dippers

Crackers, pita chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, veggies — all amazing.

✔ Works as a topping too

Serve over softened cream cheese like a holiday “salsa” dip if you prefer.

Ingredients

For the Dip

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries, finely chopped
  • 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For Garnish

  • Extra chopped cranberries
  • Cilantro
  • Sliced jalapeños

Instructions

How to Make Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

  1. Add chopped cranberries, jalapeños, sugar, lime juice, cilantro, and green onions to a bowl. Stir well.
  2. Let the cranberry mixture sit 5 minutes to naturally release juices and soften.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
  4. Mix in sour cream until creamy and lump-free.
  5. Fold in the cranberry-jalapeño mixture.
  6. Taste and adjust: add more sugar for sweetness, more lime for brightness, more jalapeño for heat.
  7. Chill at least 1 hour for best flavor.
  8. Garnish and serve with crackers, pita chips, or tortilla chips.

Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

A sweet, spicy, creamy holiday dip made with fresh cranberries, jalapeños, cream cheese, and sour cream. Perfect for parties, potlucks, and festive gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Appetizer, Dip
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180

Ingredients
  

Dip
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1.5 cups fresh cranberries finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño finely diced; use 2 for more heat
  • 0.33 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 0.25 cup cilantro chopped
  • 0.25 cup green onions chopped
  • 0.5 tsp salt
Garnish
  • extra cranberries chopped
  • cilantro

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Hand mixer

Method
 

  1. Stir cranberries, jalapeños, sugar, lime juice, cilantro, and green onions together.
  2. Beat cream cheese until smooth, then mix in sour cream.
  3. Fold in the cranberry mixture until fully combined.
  4. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

For a sweeter dip, add 1–2 extra tablespoons of sugar after mixing.

Tips for the Best Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

Soften the cream cheese fully

This ensures smooth mixing.

Chop the cranberries finely

Small pieces mix better and release flavor.

Let the mix chill

At least an hour — overnight is even better.

Adjust sweetness to your liking

Cranberries vary in tartness.

Seed jalapeños for mild heat

Leave seeds in for extra kick.

Variations

Spicier Version

Add serrano peppers or crushed red pepper flakes.

Sweeter Holiday Version

Mix in 3 tablespoons honey.

Ranch Cranberry Dip

Add 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning.

Greek Yogurt Version

Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt.

Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa Dip

Skip the cream cheese mixture and serve the cranberry mix over a block of cream cheese.

What to Serve With This Dip

  • Ritz crackers
  • Pita chips
  • Tortilla chips
  • Pretzel crisps
  • Crostini
  • Veggie sticks
  • Bagel chips
  • Thick-cut potato chips

It also works as a spread for sandwiches, wraps, and turkey sliders.

Storage

Refrigerator: 3–4 days
Freezer: Not recommended

The flavor gets better each day, making it a perfect make-ahead holiday dip.

Fun Fact

Fresh cranberries become sweeter and more vibrant after being chopped and mixed with sugar — the natural juices break down the fruit and mellow the tartness.

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