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This cranberry jalapeno dip is an easy, gluten-free, no-bake appetizer made with dairy-free cream cheese and homemade cranberry jalapeno salsa. It’s similar to the popular Costco version, but with simple, healthier ingredients. The perfect holiday appetizer recipe to share at any gathering!
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
Costco sells a super popular cranberry jalapeno dip that looks so yummy, but it’s full of things I just can’t eat anymore! So, once again, I set out to re-create this amazing dip without dairy or gluten, and it’s another amazing recipe (just like this dairy free sausage dip)!
Fresh cranberries, green onions, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, lime juice, orange zest, coconut sugar, maple syrup, sea salt, cumin, and dairy free cream cheese make this cranberry jalapeno dip the perfect blend of sweet and spicy.
Want more easy dips? Try my dairy-free buffalo chicken dip or this crispy fried pickle dip!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh Cranberries: Use fresh cranberries for this recipe. I do not recommend using frozen as they will be too watery.
- Jalapeños: Make sure to seed and dice your fresh jalapeño! This keeps the cranberry jalapeno dip from being overwhelmingly spicy. Mixed with the plant-based cream cheese, it has a very mild spice.
- Coconut sugar & maple syrup: I use these to counteract the tartness of the cranberry with a subtle hint of sweetness!
- Kite Hill Dairy Free Cream Cheese: I used Kite Hill’s chive-flavored cream cheese for this cranberry dip, and I loved the chive flavor! Really any dairy free cream cheese will work in this dip. Trader Joe's also has a really good one. Remember, you will need two containers (16oz). You can also use regular cream cheese if you do not need to be dairy free.
How To Make Dairy Free Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
Step 1: Add the fresh cranberries to your food processor.
Step 2: Pulse a few times until they are chopped.
Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients (except cream cheese) into the food processor.
Step 4: Pulse a few times more until everything is combined.
Step 5: Spread the cream cheese along the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish.
Step 6: Top with the cranberry jalapeno mixture and serve with grain-free crackers of choice.
Serving Tips
- Grain-Free Crackers – I love Simple Mills!
- Tortilla Chips – Siete brand is amazing!
- Celery Sticks
- Sliced Cucumber Rounds
- Gluten-Free Pita Chips
Putting together a holiday spread? Don’t forget the drinks like this mulled wine or cozy hot chocolate, and desserts like this Christmas puppy chow or hot cocoa cookies, and
Mary’s Tips & Tricks
- Serving: Let the cranberry jalapeno mixture chill in the fridge for 3-4 hours to let the flavors meld. If you need to serve right away, don’t worry – it will still be good!
- Storage: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve right from the fridge!
- Dairy: If you aren't dairy free, feel free to use regular dairy cream cheese.
Recipe FAQs
I recommend not freezing the cream cheese dip after it has all been combined. However, you can freeze the cranberry jalapeño salsa in an airtight container for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the fridge, and serve over fresh dairy-free cream cheese.
More Gluten-Free Dips
Easy Cranberry Jalapeno Dip (Dairy Free!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- ¼ cup diced green onions
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and diced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp cumin
- 16 oz Kite Hill Cream Cheese (2 tubs), feel free to sub any dairy free cream cheese (or regular)
Instructions
- Add the cranberries to your food processor and pulse a few times until they are chopped. Add in the remaining ingredients (except the cream cheese) and pulse a few more times until everything is combined. For best results, let the cranberry jalapeño mixture chill in the fridge for 3-4 hours to let the flavors meld. If you need to serve right away, don't worry – it will still be good!
- Spread the cream cheese along the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish. Top with the cranberry jalapeño mixture and serve with grain free crackers. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
This was a huge hit at Thanksgiving, lots of rave reviews from the family!
I made this yesterday as an app for Thanksgiving and the flavors were AMAZING!! Thanks for another great recipe!
Thanks Lisa!
This was a HUGE hit at Thanksgiving! It was insanely delicious. The flavors went so well together. Will definitely make again!
Delicious, everyone loved it at Thanksgiving! We are not dairy free so just used regular cream cheese.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Making this now. It is coming together so nicely! Do you think that mixing the cranberry mixture with the cream cheese would be just as good, versus the layer as your recipe directs?
I haven’t tried it – I am sure it would be delicious!
Just got this made and in the fridge ready for tommorow!! We are also planning on using the cranberry part of a salsa on thanksgiving tacos!
Awesome! Hope you enjoyed!