Cream Cheese Cranberry Dip
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The perfect party appetizer for the holidays is this easy Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip! It has a layer of cream cheese then cranberries. The topping is chopped green onion and cilantro. It’s quick and easy plus the tart cranberries and the sweet cream cheese is the perfect combination.

I have the perfect appetizer that you will want to make for all holiday parties this year! Cranberry cream cheese dip is so simple, delicious, and the best dip when you don’t have much time to make something.
Am I the only one who forgets to plan and has to scramble to make something last minute? If you can relate, you will want to keep this recipe on hand! It’s one of my favorite easy appetizer recipes.
You Will Love This Easy Dip Recipe!
- The flavors are AMAZING. This is a cold dip with rich and creamy cheese topped with a tart cranberry topping. It’s seriously the best flavor combination. The flavors and textures are perfectly balanced!
- It’s so easy you can in about 15 minutes! No cooking is required – all you do is mix and assemble.
- It’s perfect for the holidays because the color and flavors are so festive. You will want to make this for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s!
Ingredients
This recipe has only a few ingredients and the flavor combo is delicious. The dip is a little sweet and tart with some savory flavors to balance it all out. You are going to love it.
- Softened cream cheese
- Canned cranberry sauce
- Chopped cilantro
- Chopped green onion
- Cumin
- Lemon juice
Products Needed
Three Easy Steps!
Step 1: Spread the cream cheese in an even layer in a pie plate.
Step 2: In a bowl, beat the cranberry sauce, cilantro, green onion, cumin, and lemon juice.
Step 3: Spread the cranberry topping over the top. Cover and chill until you’re ready to serve it.
Pro Tips
Make the cranberry topping a day in advance, so all you have to do the next day is assemble and serve!
This cream cheese dip is perfect with crackers – you can use all of the same kind or make a platter with several different varieties, so your guests have options.
If you have leftover dip, cover it, and it will keep for a few days in the refrigerator.

I’ve been making these easy cranberry cream cheese dip for years, and it’s always a hit! Other readers have tried it too, and love it!
What people are saying about this recipe
“Delicious! So easy and brought it to Thanksgiving feast and it was the best things I ate all day! Everyone really liked it!”
“I made this yesterday and it was a hit!”
“I made this last year for Thanksgiving. I followed the recipe as written and it was a HUGE hit. WE LOVED THIS!!!”
“I added some jalapenos finely chopped. Wow! Fantastic! Thank you!”
Cool, creamy, and perfect with crackers! Everyone will love this cream cheese cranberry dip – it will be the hit of the dinner! I hope you give this easy holiday appetizer a try, and be sure to check out some of my other favorite recipes, too.
Looking More Holiday Appetizers?
- Cranberry Pinot Noir Meatballs are so easy and perfect for holiday parties!
- Crock Pot Ranch Mushrooms are always a crowd pleaser! You only need four ingredients to make them.
- Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts are salty, sweet, and so delicious! Don’t forget the dipping sauce to go with them!
Tried this recipe? Be sure to comment below, I definitely want to hear from you!!!
And if you’re like me and snap photos be sure to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your yummy treat!!!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

Cream Cheese Cranberry Dip
Ingredients
- 2 packages cream cheese, softened 8 oz each
- 14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce
- 1/8 c. chopped cilantro
- 1/8 c. chopped green onion
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Spread cream cheese on bottom of pie plate.
- In a small mixing bowl beat together cranberry sauce, cilantro, green onion, cumin and lemon juice. Spread on top of cream cheese.
- Serve with crackers.
Tips
- Make the cranberry topping a day in advance, so all you have to do the next day is assemble and serve!
- This cream cheese dip is perfect with crackers – you can use all of the same kind or make a platter with several different varieties, so your guests have options.
- If you have leftover dip, cover it, and it will keep for a few days in the refrigerator.
Roberta shmed says
Delicious ! So easy and brought it to thanksgiving feast and it was the best think I ate all day! Everyone really liked it to thank you!
Julie says
I’m so glad it was a hit for Thanksgiving, Roberta! Thank you for the rating and review!
Marcee says
I made this yesterday, it was a hit!! I used parsley instead of cilantro, omitted the cumin, mmmmm mmmmm mmmmm!
Julie says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Allisa says
I plan on making this dip for thanksgiving tomorrow, however, I don’t have green onions. Can I finely dice a red or yellow onion?
Julie Evink says
I would recommend a red onion if you did that or just adding it out.
Cathy Kruszewski says
Can you use something othet than cumin???
Julie Evink says
You could just leave it out or maybe add some garlic powder.
GingerB says
I made this last year for Thanksgiving.. I followed the recipe as written and it was a HUGE hit.. WE LOVED THIS!!! It was so easy to put together and it tasted amazing with crackers and with Tostitos. I forgot all about it till it showed up on my Facebook memories today. LOL Glad I saw it and it reminded me to make it again this year! THANKS for the delicious recipe!!!
Julie says
You’re welcome! I’m so happy it was a hit and you can enjoy it again this year!
Kimberly says
What about adding pepper or nutmeg to cream cheese , just a thought …
Julie says
You can add whatever other flavors you prefer!
Barbara Driewer says
Sounds good. I will try soon.
Julie says
Let me know how it goes!
Joyce Fratt says
I need to use up whole Berry cranberry sauce could I just use the mixer on this to get it more like jelly or leave it as is and can I use liquid cilantro puree as it needs to be used up also. Thanks for info in advance
Julie says
Hi Joyce – I think using both of those would work just fine! It might be easier to eat with crackers if the cranberries aren’t whole but that is up to you! Let us know how it turns out!
Kathy Bannon says
I added some jalapeños finely chopped. Wow! Fantastic! Thank you!
Julie Evink says
What a delicious addition!
Debbie Brown says
I am going to try it with my homemade cranberry sauce. Looks great!
Julie Evink says
Sounds like the perfect way to make it!
Sam says
I would add marshmallow frosting and a sprinkling of onion soup mix
Julie Evink says
Sounds great!
Jamiee says
You are all liars!!!
Carmen Thomas says
I just made this to take to a work Thanksgiving pitch-in. I am going to serve tortilla chips with it, instead of the crackers. I thought the cumin, lemon and cilantro make it like a southwestern/mexican appetizer and the torilla chips would be a nice addition.
Julie Evink says
Sounds like a great thing to serve it with!
Jennifer says
Can I make this ahead of time or is it better to eat right away?
Julie Evink says
I wouldn’t make it more then 12-24 hours in advance.
S Louviere says
What would be an alternative to cilantro? Parsley??
Julie Evink says
I would just skip it! Otherwise yes you could use Parsley it’s just going to give it a different flavor!
Priscilla says
I made it for Christmas, and it was a hit! Amazing dip, thanks for sharing!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it Priscilla!