If you’re looking for a festive dip to impress your friends and family, you need to try this cranberry whipped feta dip. The combination of tangy, salty feta with maple-syrup sweetened cranberry sauce is the most amazing flavor experience ever. It’s the perfect holiday appetizer and it’s so easy.
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Why you’ll love this
One thing you’ll love about this cranberry feta cheese dip recipe is that is while it’s absolutely gorgeous and looks fancy, it uses really simple ingredients and minimal prep.
This simple dip doesn’t take a lot of time to put together but it’s a seriously impressive appetizer that everyone is going to LOVE this holiday season.
The sweet and tart homemade cranberry sauce on top of the salty, tangy feta dip is just so good. Prepare for your family to request this one every year.
This dip is also a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce after your holiday meal is over!
Ingredients
This whipped feta dip with cranberries feels so fancy and sophisticated but uses super simple ingredients! And if you’ve never made your own cranberry sauce, I promise, this could not be easier.
Whipped feta
- Feta cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Cream cheese
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Salt to taste
Easy cranberry sauce
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange juice
- Maple syrup
Step-by-step instructions
Cranberry sauce instructions
- First, start your cranberry sauce by adding cranberries, orange juice, and maple syrup to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and then immediately turn down to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes until the mixture is reduced and jammy. If it’s still too liquidy, continue simmering until it reaches your desired consistency. Allow the cranberry sauce to cool to slightly warm or room temperature, depending on your preference.
Whipped feta instructions
- While the cranberry sauce is cooking, make the feta dip. Put feta cheese, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, garlic, olive oil, and lemon into a food processor (I love my Cuisinart). Process on high until the dip is creamy and fully blended. Scrape down the sides intermittently as needed. Add salt to taste if desired.
- In a bowl, add your finished feta dip, top with the cranberry sauce and then sprinkle with pistachios. Finish with a small drizzle of maple syrup. Serve with crostini, crackers, sliced apples, or sliced pears.
Recipe FAQ
Do I have to use the blocks of feta cheese?
You can use crumbled feta if you can’t find the blocks, but the texture won’t be as creamy. I recommend an 8 oz full-fat block of feta cheese for this recipe.
What should I serve with this cranberry feta dip?
I recommend serving with:
- Crackers
- Crostini
- Pita bread
- Sliced apples
- Sliced pears
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can absolutely make the cranberry sauce ahead of time, but I recommend making the whipped feta dip fresh for the best creamy texture. You can make it ahead and store in the fridge in an airtight container, but the texture won’t be as light and creamy as when it’s freshly whipped.
Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce?
It won’t be exactly the same, but you can absolutely use store-bought cranberry sauce to top your feta dip if you prefer.
More holiday-friendly recipes you’ll love
Arugula Pear Salad with Toasted Pecans & Feta Cheese
Sweet Potato Casserole with Walnuts and Brown Sugar
Glazed Hot Honey Carrots with Feta Cheese
Creamy Garlic Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Crispy Smashed Broccoli Parmesan with Lemon and Garlic
The Best Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
Ingredients
Cranberry sauce topping
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1/3 cup orange juice 100%
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
Whipped feta dip
- 8 oz feta cheese block cubed or broken into pieces
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1 clove garlic
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- salt to taste
- 1/4 cup pistachios chopped
- extra maple syrup for drizzling
Instructions
- First, start your cranberry sauce by adding cranberries, orange juice, and maple syrup to a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil and then immediately turn down to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes until the mixture is reduced and jammy. If it's still too liquidy, continue simmering until it reaches your desired consistency.
- While the cranberry sauce is cooking, make the feta dip. Put feta cheese, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, garlic, olive oil, and lemon into a food processor. Process on high until the dip is creamy and fully blended. Scrape down the sides intermittently as needed. Add salt to taste if desired.
- In a bowl, add your finished feta dip, top with the cranberry sauce and then sprinkle with pistachios. Finish with a small drizzle of maple syrup. Serve with crostini, crackers, sliced apples, or sliced pears.
