When you think about Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? For me, it’s a whirlwind of family, laughter, and of course, amazing food. The turkey might be the star of the show, but the opening act is just as important. I’m talking about the snacks that keep everyone happy while the main course is finishing up. Finding the right Thanksgiving Appetizers can feel like a puzzle.
You want something delicious but not too filling. Something impressive but not too complicated. Well, I have the most wonderful recipe for you. This cranberry jalapeño dip is colorful, festive, and packed with flavor. It’s the kind of dish that disappears from the table in minutes. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite Thanksgiving Party Food ideas.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Let’s talk about why this dip is such a winner for your holiday spread. First off, it is incredibly simple to put together. The food processor does most of the heavy lifting for you. This means you get to spend less time stressing in the kitchen and more time with your loved ones. That’s a huge plus on a busy cooking day.
The flavor combination is just fantastic. You get the creamy, cool richness from the cream cheese base. Then, you have the topping. It’s a bright mix of tart cranberries, a little bit of sugar for sweetness, zesty lime, and a gentle kick from the jalapeño. It hits all the right notes. It is sweet, savory, and a tiny bit spicy all at once.
And can we talk about how pretty it is? The vibrant red cranberry topping over the snowy white cream cheese looks so festive. It’s like a little dish of holiday cheer. When you set this down on your appetizer table, it immediately brightens everything up. It is one of those perfect Holiday Appetizers that looks as good as it tastes.
This recipe is also really adaptable. You can make it as mild or as spicy as you like. It is a true crowd pleaser because it appeals to so many different palates. If you’re looking for new Thanksgiving Appetizers Ideas, this one is a must try. It’s a refreshing change from the usual cheese and crackers.
Ingredients
What do you need to create this masterpiece? The list is surprisingly short and simple. You can find everything at your local grocery store, especially around the holidays. Let’s break it down.
For the creamy base, you’ll need two packages of cream cheese. I recommend using the full fat kind for the best flavor and texture. It gets so much creamier. Just be sure to let it soften to room temperature. This is key for getting a smooth, whipped consistency without any lumps.
The star of the show is the cranberry jalapeño topping. You’ll need fresh or frozen cranberries. If you use frozen, just let them thaw first. A jalapeño pepper provides that gentle warmth. We’ll also add a scallion for a mild oniony flavor, fresh cilantro for brightness, and a little sugar to balance the tartness of the cranberries. A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice ties it all together beautifully.
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
- 1 medium scallion
- 1 small jalapeño pepper
- 4 sprigs fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
- 1 medium lemon or lime
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (about 8 ounces), thawed if frozen
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Cinnamon pita chips, such as Stacy’s, for serving
Step By Step Instructions
Alright, are you ready to make some delicious thanksgiving appetizers? This process is so straightforward. I’ll walk you through every part. Grab your ingredients and let’s get started on this simple dish.
Step 1: Soften The Cream Cheese
First things first, let’s get that cream cheese ready. Take your two packages of cream cheese out of the fridge and place them in the bowl of your stand mixer. If you’re using a hand mixer, a large bowl will work just fine. Let it sit on the counter for a bit until it’s nice and soft. This usually takes about an hour.
Why is this step so important? Softened cream cheese is much easier to beat into a smooth and creamy texture. If it’s too cold, you might end up with little lumps in your dip. We want a perfectly smooth base for our tasty topping.
Step 2: Prepare The Topping
While the cream cheese is softening, we can work on the vibrant cranberry relish. This part is super quick thanks to the food processor. Grab that machine and fit it with the standard blade attachment. We’re going to add our flavor makers one by one.
Start with the scallion. Just cut it into one inch pieces and toss them in. Next, prepare the jalapeño. Slice it in half lengthwise. For a mild heat, make sure to scrape out all the white ribs and seeds. This is where most of the spice lives. If you like it spicier, you can leave a few in. Then, pick the leaves from your cilantro sprigs and add about a tablespoon to the processor.
Now for the rest of the ingredients. Squeeze your lemon or lime until you have one tablespoon of fresh juice. Add that right in. Finally, add your cranberries, sugar, and kosher salt to the bowl. Everything is now ready for a quick blitz.
Step 3: Pulse The Topping
Put the lid on your food processor and get ready to pulse. You want to pulse the mixture about ten times, for about one second each time. The goal is to get everything finely chopped, but not turned into a puree. You still want some texture in there. It’s a good idea to scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice to make sure everything gets evenly chopped.
You will see the colors come together beautifully. The red from the cranberries, the green from the jalapeño and cilantro. It already looks and smells like a celebration. This topping is the heart of our Thanksgiving Appetizers.
Step 4: Whip The Cream Cheese
Okay, back to our softened cream cheese. It should be ready to go. Using the paddle attachment on your stand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed. Let it go for about two minutes. You are looking for it to become light and creamy. Just like with the topping, you might need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to get it all mixed well.
Once it’s whipped and smooth, it’s time to plate it. You can use a shallow serving plate or a 9 inch pie dish. Spread the cream cheese into an even layer, about a quarter inch thick. Think of it as creating a white canvas for our colorful topping.
Step 5: Assemble And Serve
This is the final, satisfying step. Grab your cranberry jalapeño mixture. You might notice some juice has collected at the bottom. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the chopped mixture out, leaving most of that extra liquid behind. You can save that juice for a festive drink later!
Gently spoon the cranberry topping over the cream cheese layer. Spread it out evenly to cover the entire surface. If you want to make it look extra special, you can garnish with a little more chopped fresh cilantro. Serve it immediately with cinnamon pita chips. The sweetness of the chips is a wonderful complement to the dip.
How To Store Leftovers
What if you have some of this delicious dip left over? No problem at all. Storing it is simple. Tightly cover the dish with plastic wrap or transfer the dip to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors might even meld together and taste even better the next day.
You might notice a little liquid separating from the cranberry topping after a day or two in the fridge. This is completely normal. You can either gently stir it back into the dip or carefully pour it off before serving again. The dip will still be perfectly tasty and ready to enjoy.
Tips
Want to make this recipe even better? I have a few extra tips for you. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can prepare parts of it ahead of time. This is a lifesaver when you are planning Thanksgiving Party Food. You can make the cranberry topping a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
You can also whip the cream cheese ahead of time and store it separately. When you are ready to serve, just give the cream cheese a quick stir, spread it on your plate, and add the topping. Assembly takes just a minute. This is one of my top Thanksgiving Appetizers Ideas for stress free hosting.
Don’t be afraid to play with the spice level. If you have guests who are sensitive to heat, make sure you remove every single seed and rib from the jalapeño. You could even use half a jalapeño. For those who love a bigger kick, leave a few seeds in or add a little extra pepper.
While cinnamon pita chips are a fantastic pairing, feel free to get creative with your dippers. Sturdy crackers, pretzel thins, toasted baguette slices, or even crisp vegetable sticks like celery and bell peppers are all great options. A variety of choices makes your appetizer platter even more appealing.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A simple, beautiful, and incredibly tasty recipe for cranberry jalapeño dip. It’s one of those standout Thanksgiving Appetizers that guests will ask about year after year. It strikes the right balance between easy preparation and impressive results. It is a fantastic addition to your holiday menu.
I hope you give this recipe a try for your next gathering. It’s more than just a dip. It’s a way to add a little extra color and flavor to your celebration, making those special moments with family and friends even more memorable. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes, absolutely! This is one of the best make ahead Holiday Appetizers. You can prepare the cranberry topping up to three days in advance. Just keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese base can also be whipped a day ahead. Store them separately and assemble right before your guests arrive for the freshest taste and appearance.
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Pepper?
Of course. The jalapeño provides a mild to medium heat. If you want something with more of a kick, a serrano pepper would be a good substitute. If you want no heat at all but still want that pepper flavor, you could use a small amount of green bell pepper instead. Feel free to adjust to your personal preference.
What Can I Serve With This Dip Besides Pita Chips?
There are so many great options! Try serving it with a variety of crackers like wheat crackers or buttery club crackers. Pretzels, both thin and regular, add a nice salty crunch. For a fancier touch, serve it with toasted slices of a baguette. For a healthier option, crisp vegetable sticks like celery, carrots, cucumbers, and bell pepper strips are all wonderful choices.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
The dip itself is naturally gluten free. The ingredients like cream cheese, cranberries, and vegetables do not contain gluten. To keep the entire appetizer gluten free, you just need to serve it with gluten free dippers. Look for gluten free crackers, chips, or use fresh vegetables.
How Do I Make This Less Spicy?
The key to controlling the spice is in the jalapeño preparation. The heat is concentrated in the white ribs and the seeds. To make the dip very mild, be sure to scrape out and discard all of the seeds and the white membrane from inside the pepper. If you are very sensitive to spice, you can also use just half of the jalapeño.
Festive Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
This festive cranberry jalapeño dip is a colorful and flavorful appetizer, perfect for any holiday gathering. A creamy whipped cream cheese base is topped with a vibrant mix of tart cranberries, spicy jalapeño, and fresh cilantro, creating a simple yet impressive dish.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place softened cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl if using a hand mixer.
- In a food processor, combine the scallion, seeded jalapeño, cilantro, lemon or lime juice, cranberries, sugar, and salt.
- Pulse the topping mixture about 10 times until finely chopped but still retaining some texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Using the paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese on medium speed for about 2 minutes until light, smooth, and creamy.
- Spread the whipped cream cheese in an even layer onto a shallow serving plate or a 9-inch pie dish.
- Using a slotted spoon, scoop the cranberry mixture over the cream cheese, leaving any excess liquid behind.
- Garnish with additional fresh cilantro and serve immediately with your favorite crackers or pita chips.
Notes
For stress-free hosting, the cranberry topping can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
To control the spice level, ensure all white ribs and seeds are removed from the jalapeño for a mild dip. For more heat, leave a few seeds in.
Feel free to serve with a variety of dippers, such as pretzel thins, toasted baguette slices, or crisp vegetable sticks like celery and bell peppers.
Nutrition
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