Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

This Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip is a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer made with a bright cranberry relish layered over creamy cream cheese. Sweet, tangy, and just a little spicy, it’s perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, and effortless entertaining.

I can’t believe that Christmas is next week already! This month has been a bit of a blur. Our family always celebrates Christmas on the 23rd, and we serve heavy appetizers, Oyster Stew and Clam Chowder, along with Christmas cookies for dessert. Since the first time I tried this cranberry dip, I was in love. You can bet it’ll be front and center next week at our celebration. 

This dip pairs best with sturdy dippers that can withstand the thickness of the cream cheese. Crackers like Triscuits, Wheat Thins, or water crackers work well, as do pretzel rods, pita chips, or lightly toasted baguette slices. Leftovers are also great spread on a turkey sandwich or a bagel.

Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

The cranberry topping is bright and tangy, lightly sweetened, warmed with orange, and finished with just enough jalapeño heat to keep things interesting. Spoon it over a simple layer of cream cheese, and you’ve got an appetizer that feels right at home next to the cheese ball, shrimp cocktail, and Christmas cookies.

It’s especially perfect for the holidays, when oven space is limited, and you need something that can be made ahead and assembled in minutes.

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

If you like appetizers that hit a lot of flavor notes at once, this one checks every box. The cranberries bring tartness, the orange adds brightness, and the jalapeños give a gentle heat that balances everything out without overpowering the dip. Paired with rich, creamy cream cheese, it’s the kind of sweet-and-savory combination that keeps people coming back for another scoop.

It’s also incredibly low effort. There’s no cooking involved, just a quick pulse in the food processor and some chill time in the refrigerator. Because the cranberry mixture can be made well ahead of time, it takes a lot of pressure off when you’re hosting. When it’s time to serve, all you have to do is spread the cream cheese and spoon the relish on top.

Ingredients In Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

You will find the complete measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Fresh Cranberries are the backbone of this dip. Their natural tartness gives the relish its bold, fresh flavor and keeps the dip from feeling heavy.
• Sugar balances the cranberries just enough, taking the edge off without making the dip overly sweet.
• Orange zest and juice bring brightness and warmth. The zest adds concentrated citrus flavor, while the juice helps everything meld together as it chills.
• Jalapeño Peppers add a subtle kick. Removing the ribs and seeds keeps the heat mild, but you can leave some in if you prefer a spicier dip.
• Cilantro adds a fresh, herby note that lightens the cranberry mixture. If cilantro isn’t your thing, parsley or green onions work well too.
• Full-fat cream cheese creates the creamy base that ties everything together. It’s rich, smooth, and the perfect contrast to the bold cranberry topping.

How to Make Jalapeño Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

This dip recipe comes together quickly and easily.

Add the cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, jalapeños, and cilantro to a blender or food processor.

Pulse until finely chopped.

Cover and refrigerate the mixture for several hours, or overnight. This gives the flavors time to blend and allows excess liquid to release.

Drain the cranberry mixture well and discard the liquid.

Spread softened cream cheese into an even layer in a wide serving dish.

Spoon the drained cranberry jalapeño relish over the cream cheese.

Serve chilled with sturdy crackers or dippers.

Make-Ahead & Storage

The cranberry sauce can be made a couple of days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Assemble when you’re ready. 

Once assembled, leftover dip can be covered and refrigerated for several days. Freezing the fully assembled dip isn’t recommended, as cream cheese tends to change texture when thawed.

Love it? Pin It!

I you love this delicious dip recipe with cranberries and jalapeños, make sure you can find the recipe! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go. 

Tips for Success

• Make sure your cream cheese is very soft before spreading; it makes a big difference in how easy it is to work with. If you’re short on time, you can whip it briefly with a hand mixer for a smoother texture.
• Don’t skip draining the cranberry mixture. That step is what keeps the dip from becoming watery once it’s assembled.
• If you’re serving this at a party, take a small scoop out before setting it out. It’s a simple trick, but it helps guests feel more comfortable diving right in.

Variations & Substitutions

This recipe works beautifully as a base for other flavor combinations throughout the year. Swap cranberries and orange for blueberries and lemon, strawberry and balsamic, or peaches and basil. You can also add chopped nuts, like pecans, for extra texture, or use a dairy-free cream cheese if needed.

More Dip Recipes to Love

I have loads of dip recipes right here, ready and waiting for your next gathering. Here are some of my favorites:

• Dill Pickle Dip (pictured above)
• Maragarita Dip with Salted Pretzels
• Chicken in a Biskit Dip
• Crockpot Reuben Dip
• Caramel Apple Dip

See All of My Dip Recipes