This Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip blends fresh cranberries with green onions, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro, balanced with orange zest and sugar, and mixed with cream cheese and sour cream. I like to garnish the dip with more cranberries and cilantro to make it look even more festive! Serve the dip with crackers (I love it with Ritz), chips, or toasted baguettes. It would also be a delicious addition to your Vegetable Tray! If you are looking for another perfect holiday dip, check out my Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball, too!

Black bowl of Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip on a wooden table surrounded by crackers and oranges.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Cranberries: Since cranberries are in season just in time for the holidays, it makes sense that they have become associated with the holiday season. Plus, the vibrant red color helps, too! Look for 12 ounces of fresh berries for this recipe. Use a food processor to blend them with green onions, jalapeño peppers, and cilantro. Have a few extra berries for garnish!
Jalapeño Peppers: Seeded and diced jalapeño peppers give the dip a spicy kick. If you want a milder dip, use a smaller amount of jalapeños or substitute with a mild chili like poblano peppers. If you want more heat, serrano peppers or a pinch of cayenne pepper could be used.
Cilantro: I know some people just can’t stand the flavor they get from cilantro. For this dip, I encourage you to try a little bit! But, if you just can’t, you could substitute fresh parsley for a milder flavor. I like to add a little more on top of the dip for serving. It adds more flavor and goes perfectly well with the bright red cranberries for a holiday vibe.
Orange Flavor (Orange Juice and Orange Zest): In this dip, the juice gives the dip a juicy, tangy flavor, while the zest adds a fresh, citrusy smell and taste. Zest the orange before juicing it.
Cream Cheese: The cream cheese is the base of the dip. It makes the dip smooth and creamy, helping to mix all the flavors together. The cream cheese also helps balance the tart cranberries and spicy jalapeños, making the dip rich and easy to enjoy. Remember to let the cream cheese come to room temperature before using!
Sour Cream: Sour cream adds a creamy, tangy flavor to the dip. If you don’t have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt will give the dip a similar texture. Or, you could just replace the sour cream with more cream cheese (but the flavor might be slightly different).

Black bowl of Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip on a wooden table.

Can I Use Frozen Cranberries Instead Of Fresh Berries?

Yes, you can use frozen cranberries instead of fresh ones! Just make sure to thaw them and drain any extra water before using them in the dip. Frozen cranberries might be a little softer, but they will still work great in the recipe.

Why Chilling The Cranberry Mixture Improves Flavor and Texture

I encourage you to not skip the step of chilling the cranberry mixture in the refrigerator for about an hour. It helps all of the flavors to blend together. And, it also thickens the mixture, which helps the dip maintain a better texture when mixed with the cream cheese and sour cream. If you are short on time, you could try chilling it for 20-30 minutes. If you skip the step entirely, the dip might be less flavorful and more watery.

Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip on a cracker set out for a Christmas event.

How Spicy Is Cranberry Jalapeño Dip? Tips For Adjusting Heat

Of course, the spice level is subjective, but there is a bit of a kick to this dip. (After all, it is made with jalapeños!) I could handle it as-is (and my taste buds don’t always handle spicy foods well). I thought it was a delicious blend of all of the ingredients. If you want more of a kick, leave the seeds and membrane intact when dicing the peppers. For even more heat, use more jalapenos or use hotter peppers like serrano or habanero peppers. For less heat, use fewer jalapeños.

Delicious Ways To Serve Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

Here are some of my favorite ways to serve cranberry jalapeño dip:

Crackers
Pita Chips or Homemade Tortilla Chips
Fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
Toasted Baguette
Homemade Pretzel Bites
Breadsticks

Hand holding Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip on a cracker.

How To Store Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

To store this cranberry jalapeño dip, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If the dip gets too thick after chilling, I will stir in a little bit of sour cream or cream cheese to smooth it out before serving again. I do not recommend freezing this dip.