Cranberry Pistachio Cream Cheese Dip is such a fun little appetizer for Christmas. Those red cranberries and green pistachios make it feel festive without having to do anything fancy.
And there’s no oven involved, which is always nice when you’re already cooking a bunch of other holiday food.
This is a sweet and savory cream cheese dip, so you get a little bit of everything.
The dried cranberries are chewy and sweet, the pistachios add some crunch, and there’s just enough orange zest to give it a fresh citrus flavor. The green onions might sound a little unexpected, but they’re good with the cream cheese and keep the dip from being too sweet.
You only need a mixing bowl and an electric hand mixer to make it. Ten minutes of prep, then into the refrigerator for half an hour.
Serve it with apple slices, pears, crackers, or pretzel crisps. It’s also an easy make-ahead Christmas appetizer, so you can cross one thing off your holiday food list before everyone arrives.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Pistachio Cream Cheese Dip
No Baking Required
Your oven can stay busy with everything else. This dip only needs 10 minutes of preparation and a little refrigerator time. Super convenient during the holidays.
A Pretty Christmas Appetizer
The red cranberries and green pistachios give this dip a naturally festive appearance. No special decorating skills needed, either.
Sweet, Savory, and a Little Crunchy
There’s honey and dried fruit for sweetness, but the green onions and pistachios keep things interesting. The orange zest is a nice little surprise, too.
Easy to Make Ahead
You can prepare this dip before your holiday gathering and keep it refrigerated until serving. One less thing to worry about when guests arrive.
Plenty of Dipping Options
Fresh fruit is delicious with this one, especially crisp apple slices. Whole-grain crackers and pretzel crisps are good choices when you want something salty with the creamy dip.
Ingredient Substitutions
Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese
Regular cream cheese works if you prefer a richer dip. You can also use Neufchâtel cheese for a similar creamy consistency.
Plain Greek Yogurt
Sour cream is a good replacement. It will give the dip a slightly different tangy flavor and a looser consistency.
Honey
Pure maple syrup works if you want a different sweetness. Use the same amount, but expect a slight maple flavor.
Dried Cranberries
Chopped dried cherries are a delicious alternative. They’ll give you a similar chewy texture with a slightly different fruit flavor.
Pistachios
Chopped pecans or walnuts work well if pistachios aren’t available. Both add a nice crunch, although you’ll lose the pretty green color.
Green Onions
Finely chopped fresh chives are a good substitute. They have a milder onion flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients.
Orange Zest
Lemon zest works if you don’t have an orange. It gives the dip a brighter, more tart citrus flavor.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links where I make a small commission if you purchase anything after clicking a link. There is no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Cranberry Pistachio Cream Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese softened
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries chopped
- ⅓ cup shelled pistachios chopped
- 2 tablespoon green onions finely sliced
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Beat with an electric hand mixer until smooth.
- Add the Greek yogurt, honey, vanilla extract, orange zest, and salt. Beat until creamy and well combined.
- Gently fold in ¼ cup of the chopped dried cranberries, ¼ cup of the chopped pistachios, and the sliced green onions.
- Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining dried cranberries and pistachios over the top.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve with apple slices, pear slices, whole-grain crackers, or pretzel crisps.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Chop the Pistachios – Keep the pieces fairly small so they’re easy to scoop up with crackers or fruit slices. Try Different Dippers – Graham crackers work for a sweeter snack, and buttery crackers are good if you prefer a sweet and salty combination. Keep the Topping Crunchy – If you’re making the dip ahead, save the pistachios for the top until just before serving. They’ll stay crunchier.Storing
Refrigerator – Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve. Make Ahead – Prepare the dip up to 24 hours before serving. Cover and refrigerate, then add the reserved cranberry and pistachio topping shortly before serving. Serving Leftovers – Give the dip a gentle stir if any liquid has separated during storage. Serve chilled.Nutrition
Find the kitchen tools, cooking essentials, and everyday products I use and recommend in my Amazon Storefront.
You May Also Like:
- Cranberry Pistachio Cream Cheese Dip
- Apple Pecan Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl
- Thanksgiving Corn Casserole
- Peanut Butter Banana Protein Balls
- Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls
