Festive Cranberry Jalapeño Dip & Boursin

Cranberry Jalapeño Cheese Dip is a festive holiday appetizer using soft Boursin cheese. This spicy cranberry appetizer blends sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors over creamy Boursin. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday parties.

This cranberry dip recipe transforms the popular red berry into something truly unexpected. Unlike the traditional cranberry sauce flavors we are used to, this cranberry jalapeño relish is pulsed with sugar, lime juice, cilantro, green onions, and a hint of salt. Just enough for a scoop-able texture.

The result is a vibrantly flavored cheerful dish that’s both sweet and spicy. it’s a perfect foil for the rich, herbed Boursin base. I used the rosemary Boursin with fresh rosemary for garnish and served it with rosemary crackers. It’s a hit!

How to Make Cranberry Jalapeño Cheese Dip

The beauty of this dip is its simplicity. In just a few steps, you can have a beautiful appetizer ready to serve:

1. Chop and Mix: Use a food processor to chop the fresh cranberries (trivia point-my sister lives next to a cranberry bog. Interesting to say the least) until coarse, not pureed. Mix with jalapeños, green onions, cilantro, sugar, salt, and lime juice.
2. Marinate: Let the mixture chill for at least two hours — or overnight — to allow the sugar to dissolve and flavors to meld into a sweet, syrupy relish.
3. Assemble: Spread softened Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese (I used rosemary and black garlic flavored) evenly on a shallow platter, then spoon the cranberry mixture over the top just before serving.
4. Serve: Pair with buttery crackers, crostini, or pretzel crisps for a beautiful, flavorful bite.

This appetizer not only looks gorgeous with its ruby-red topping, but it also has a really good flavor blend. I am surprised and happy to report the jalapeños do not overpower the cranberries. It’s a lovely cranberry jalapeño relish to bring to your next  holiday buffet or potluck.

Make-Ahead and Serving Tips:

You can easily prepare the cranberry jalapeño relish mixture a day ahead. Just keep it refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to serve. For best results, assemble the dip right before your guests arrive to keep the texture bright and crisp. The creamy cheese softens slightly as it sits at room temperature, making it even more spreadable.

Holiday Garnish & Theme Ideas:

This appetizer recipe lends itself beautifully to different holiday themes:

• Christmas Party: Garnish with fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of finely diced green jalapeño for a red-and-green holiday look.
• Thanksgiving Table: Add a few toasted pecans or walnuts on top for crunch and warmth.
• New Year’s Eve: Serve in a white ceramic dish with gold-rimmed crackers for a touch of elegance.
• Valentine’s Day: The bright red cranberry topping makes this dip perfect for a romantic appetizer spread.

Variations to Try:

Before you go to changing up the recipe, I suggest you try it as written, it’s a really good blend of flavors. If it becomes a favorite for you (and I think it will), try these ideas so keep the recipe refreshed and vibrant all through the holidays. Your guests will love it!

• Swap the Cheese: Try it with different flavored Boursin or go wild and try cream cheese, goat cheese, or whipped feta for a slightly different flavor and texture.
• Make it Milder: Reduce jalapeños and/or be sure to remove the seeds for a more family-friendly version. With the seeds out of the recipe the heat goes down quickly and the flavor of the pepper shines through. For more kick, keep the seeds.
• Add Citrus Zest: A touch of orange or lime zest brightens the flavor even more.
• Mini Servings: Spoon the cheese and cranberry mixture into small ramekins or jars for individual appetizers — great for parties and buffets.

This Cranberry Jalapeño Cheese Dip hits all the right notes — creamy, tangy, spicy, and sweet — making it shine among traditional appetizers. It’s visually stunning, takes only minutes to assemble, and can easily be doubled for larger gatherings. Plus, it’s gluten-free when served with compatible crackers or veggies.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas party, or New Year’s celebration, this dip is a festive, make-ahead option that will impress your guests and disappear fast.

More Holiday Appetizers:

• Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
• Pecan Pie Bites: Simple,Sweet, Addictive
• Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes