Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (2024)

Dec 21, 2020 | Food, Recipes

Looking for a delicious appetizer for your next get together? This cranberry salsa cream cheese dip is sure to be a favorite. It's super easy to put together and you can double it for larger groups of people! Plus, you'll never guess what the secret ingredient is!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (1)

Looking for a crowd-pleasing, SUPER easy, ridiculously delicious appetizer? Look no further! This delicious cranberry cream cheese dip is our favorite of all time. It goes great with crackers and chips. Your biggest problem will be putting it down and getting your hands out of the way before everybody chows down on it!

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We love to have this cranberry cream cheese dip as an appetizer any time of the year we can find fresh cranberries. It's especially a big hit during the holiday season for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You really can't go wrong with it! So, let's get on to…

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THE MOST AMAZING CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE DIP

Are you ready for the secret ingredient?! Then keep reading. Seriously, you won't be disappointed with this delicious cranberry salsa appetizer! Following are a few tips to help keep you on track and use what you have in your kitchen.

NOTES TO HELP YOU MAKE THE BEST DIP

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (2)
  • Vary Jalapeño Amounts Ta-da! The secret ingredient! You weren't expecting this, were you? The recipe calls for 1-2 jalapeños without seeds — choose the amount based on how spicy you want it. For adults, we usually use two jalapeños, for kids, we use one.
  • Use Thawed Cranberries – The ingredients call for a package of fresh cranberries. There is no cooking involved for this cranberry cream cheese dip! If you buy cranberries when they're on sale and stick them in your freezer, allow plenty of time to thaw before you make this recipe.
  • Grab Your Food Processor – You can use a knife and cutting board to prepare the salsa portion of this dip, but a food processor makes it so much easier!
Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (3)
  • Sub Out Lemon Juice – Cranberry cream cheese dip calls for lemon juice, but substitute orange juice if that's what you have on hand. It'll still taste just as delicious!
  • Omit the Green Onions & Cumin – We've left out the green onions and cumin before, and it was still amazing. Plus, not everyone loves cumin, so consider your crowd.
  • Be Playful – Don't concentrate too much on measurements. We basically eyeball it every time and it's never disappointed!
  • Serve This Dip Cold – You can serve the dip as soon as you make it, but we definitely recommend letting it sit in the fridge for a few hours to let the flavors meld. You won't be disappointed!

WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE DIP

IF you somehow manage to have any of this deliciousness left, put it in an airtight container and throw it in the fridge. It'll last in there for a few days for you to munch on whenever your heart desires! And if you can believe it, it manages to taste even better after a few days.

CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE DIP RECIPE

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (4)

Alright, enough talkin' already! Let's get to the recipe so you can try your hand at it! You're seriously going to love how quickly you can throw this yum recipe together.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (5)

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

This cranberry cream cheese dip is great with crackers or chips. Serve it as an appetizer at your next get together and be amazed at how quickly it goes!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 1 – 2 jalapeños, seeded
  • ½ bunch green onions
  • ¼ cup cilantro
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened

Instructions

  • Spread softened cream cheese on a serving dish evenly. Set aside.

  • Add cranberries, seeded jalapenos, green onions, and cilantro to a food processor. Pulse until it reaches the desired consistency.

  • Move to a mixing bowl, and add sugar, cumin, and lemon juice. Stir until well mixed.

  • Spread over softened cream cheese and serve with crackers or chips.

Notes

If you have time, put the cranberry salsa portion in the refrigerator to allow it to come together. Spread it over softened cream cheese when you're ready to serve.

Keyword dip, spicy, sweet

Doesn't that sound so crazy easy and delicious?!

Alright, well there you have it! Let us know how you like it in the comments! Better yet, stop by our Shelf Cooking community on Facebook and share your favorite easy appetizer ideas!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (6)

Have you checked outShelfCooking.comyet? Our brand new site is dedicated to helping you cook delicious, homemade, down-home-cooked meals for your family without spending all your time in the kitchen!

Basically every parent's dream, right? You can also join ourShelf Cooking Communitytoday!

On the lookout for more?

  • Want to try your hand at making your own caramel? It's so easy and so good!
  • Make these amazingly easy make-ahead holiday foods to simplify your Thanksgiving or Christmas prep!
  • Try out these delicious cinnamon rolls that are sure to blow your family's socks off!

Enjoy your festive dish!

  1. Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (7)

    mindion October 5, 2015 at 11:59 am

    have to admit I have never made anything w/ fresh cranberries. SOOOO do you just put them in the processor raw? Sorry for the dumb q!

    Reply

    • Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (8)

      FunCheapOrFreeon October 5, 2015 at 3:53 pm

      Not a dumb Q at all! It was my first time as well. Yes, you just wash them off and toss them in whole. Easy peasy!

      Reply

    • Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (9)

      Rosemary Caputoon December 30, 2019 at 3:24 pm

      Raw it is! Most salsas are raw.

      Reply

  2. Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (10)

    Becky Crocketton December 30, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    could i just stir it all together like a cheese ball? throw it in the fridge to stay cold and hard?

    Reply

  3. Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (11)

    Emilyon December 24, 2019 at 6:52 pm

    Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (12)
    I’ve done this without cilantro, but with green onion. Also no cumin.
    I like whipping my cream cheese with a hand mixer–it really does increase the size and make it easier to eat without breaking crackers.
    Anyway–this recipe is seriously delicious!!! An in-law pleaser for sure. They were begging me to bring it to the next party!

    Reply

    • Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (13)

      Fun Cheap or Freeon December 26, 2019 at 9:39 am

      Oh, that’s a good idea about whipping the cream cheese with a hand mixer! It’s always frustrating when you break a cracker trying to get into the dip. That’s a great solution!

      Reply

  4. Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (14)

    Debra Austinon December 26, 2022 at 9:46 am

    Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (15)
    I made this for the first time for Christmas Day. I was suprised at how easy it was to make! I followed the directions exactly. (Used 1 jalepeno). Not only was the end result beautiful to look at, it was absolutely delicious! I made 4 different dips and this was by far the favorite! Thanks for a great recipe!!

    Reply

    • Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (16)

      Kenzie Baneyon February 8, 2023 at 3:10 pm

      So glad to hear that!

      Reply

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Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip | Easy Recipe - Fun Cheap or Free (2024)

FAQs

What tastes good dipped in cream cheese? ›

Use as a dip for fruits and vegetables

Dip fresh vegetables or fruit slices into a creamy and delicious cream cheese dip for a satisfying treat! A perfect, healthy way to use that cream cheese in your fridge.

What can you eat with cream cheese as a snack? ›

11 Bite-Size Cream Cheese Snacks That'll Curb Your 3 P.M. Hunger
  • Avocado and Bacon on a Flatbread Cracker. ...
  • Ham and Apple Snackers. ...
  • Cranberry-Walnut Endive Boats. ...
  • Brown Sugar Dream Dates. ...
  • Berry Delicious Granola Bar. ...
  • Strawberry Graham Cracker Bites. ...
  • Crunchy Cinnamon Sugar Banana Snack. ...
  • Cucumber-Tomato Crunch Bites.
Feb 26, 2016

What can I do with too much cream cheese? ›

Leftover cream cheese recipes
  1. Omelette. Enrich a thick, grilled frittata with cream cheese. ...
  2. Cakes and bakes. While other dairy products like yogurt or buttermilk can be used within a cake batter, cream cheese is best reserved as a topping. ...
  3. The ultimate sandwich. ...
  4. Fondue. ...
  5. Frosting. ...
  6. Sauces. ...
  7. Cheat's cheesecake. ...
  8. Meatballs.

What are Philadelphia dips made of? ›

Modified Milk Ingredients, Water, Modified Corn Starch, Corn Maltodextrin, Salt, Dried Onions, Monosodium Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sugar, Dried Garlic, Bacterial Culture, Lactic Acid, Carob Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Herbs And Spices, Chili Powder.

How do you keep cheese dip creamy? ›

For dips, you'll want to use a tablespoon of cornstarch per pound of cheese, then add at least five ounces of evaporated milk. After that, you can use more evaporated milk to thin out your dip as much as you need.

What should I put in my cream cheese? ›

Add anything you like to your cream cheese. Scallions are good, as are finely diced veggies like carrots or tomatoes, and any fresh herbs. Smoked salmon works, especially if you add some capers. Chopped nuts work well, especially on a sweet bagel.

When not to use cream cheese? ›

Cream cheese that has been continuously refrigerated can last for several weeks. “Cream cheese packages that haven't been opened can be used for up to two to three weeks past their best by date,” Edwards says. “Once opened, it's best to use cream cheese within ten days.

What can you eat with cream cheese besides bagels? ›

What to Eat With Cream Cheese (Beyond Bagels) and Yummy Recipes to Try
  • Make a Super-Easy Appetizer.
  • Thicken Up Pimento Cheese.
  • Spread on Sandwiches.
  • Top a Pizza.
  • Add a Surprise to Cupcakes.
  • Make Next-Level Homemade Ice Cream.
  • Replace Eggs in (Some) Baking.
  • Enhance a Pot of Grits.
Aug 20, 2022

Is eating cream cheese by itself good for you? ›

While cream cheese is high in fat and calories, it also contains essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin A, and protein. Consuming cream cheese in moderation can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you choose lower-fat varieties or pair it with nutritious foods like whole-grain bread and fresh vegetables.

Is eating a lot of cream cheese bad for you? ›

While it is high in calories, most of those calories come from fat which means that it is relatively safe to eat on a diet. Additionally, cream cheese contains healthy fats and protein which make it an excellent source of nutrients for the body.

Is it bad to eat a whole block of cream cheese? ›

All calories in every food is burned and consumed and made into energy by your body. It's all about portion size and variety in what vitamins/nutrients you're consuming. It isn't unhealthy to have cream cheese every day. Just don't eat like a block of it a day.

Can a dog eat cream cheese? ›

In general, dogs can eat a small amount of cream cheese. It's mostly fine but does have a high fat and calorie content. However, a lot cream cheese's include chives, onions and garlic which are dangerous for our pooches.

What is crack dip made of? ›

Crack dip is a hot dip that combines bacon, cheddar, cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing. It gets its name because it's so irresistible and addictive!

What is in Cardi B dip? ›

Ingredients
  • 1 bunch Cilantro.
  • 2 Avocados.
  • 3 Limes, juiced.
  • 2 blocks Cream Cheese.
  • 1 cup Sour Cream or Mexican Crema.
  • 14 oz Pickled Jalapeños.
  • 2 tsp Black Pepper.
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder.
Oct 30, 2023

What is in loco dip? ›

On a serving dish lay down cream cheese base, Spread salsa over this layer leaving ¼-“ ½ “ of the edge exposed. Add a layer of shredded cheese. Layer shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, black olives, diced avocado.

What can I eat with cheese dip besides chips? ›

The best side dishes to serve with queso dip are soft pretzels, nachos, Korean corn dogs, birria quesadillas, mushroom tacos, carne asada burrito, tostilocos, beef enchiladas, tostadas, BBQ chicken wings, chips and salsa, stuffed jalapeños, cauliflower bites, queso stuffed burgers, and fried pickles.

What goes well with cream cheese on a bagel? ›

Adding fresh slices of apple, chopped walnuts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon to your bagel with cream cheese is an easy way to create a tasty and healthy breakfast that is perfect for the autumn season. It's a piece of fall in every bite.

What goes well with crackers and cream cheese? ›

"Another childhood favorite of mine for a snack or appetizer. I remember my mom telling my grandma that we should introduce her to "crackers, cream cheese, and pepper jelly" and grandma said, "who are they, your cats?" Lol. This is always a hit.

What is good to put on cheese and crackers? ›

To add additional flavor accents, you might include cured meats like salami, prosciutto, or paté. Pistachios, almonds, and candied pecans are huge favorites. Slices of pears and apples as well as dried figs and dates pair well with lots of cheeses. Honey, jams, mustards, spreads, and dips add extra flavor.

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