This Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip is a holiday appetizer masterpiece! With creamy whipped feta, tangy cranberry sauce, and crunchy pistachios, it’s a balance of flavors and textures that’s irresistible for holiday gatherings and celebrations.
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YOU WILL LOVE THIS HOLIDAY APPETIZER DIP
This festive dip combines salty, creamy, sweet, and tart flavors into one elegant dish that’s as stunning as it is delicious. Perfect for entertaining, it’s easy to prepare ahead and will leave your guests asking for the recipe.
No need to feel guilty indulging in this dip! Feta is one of the healthiest cheeses, packed with protein, calcium, and probiotics. It’s also a great source of Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, and phosphorus, all while being lower in fat than many other cheeses. Delicious and nutritious—what’s not to love?
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INGREDIENTS FOR CRANBERRY WHIPPED FETA DIP
Add this cranberry-topped whipped feta dip to your holiday appetizer lineup! Creamy feta cheese is blended with fresh herbs, garlic, and cream cheese until luxuriously smooth, then crowned with tangy homemade cranberry sauce, toasted pistachios, and a drizzle of honey. The result? A perfect balance of salty, creamy, sweet, and tart flavors that will steal the show at your holiday feast or New Year’s Eve party.
- Fresh Orange Juice and Orange Zest: Adds brightness and a hint of citrus sweetness to the cranberry sauce, enhancing its tangy flavor.
- Honey: Balances the tartness of the cranberries and adds a subtle floral sweetness to both the sauce and the whipped feta.
- Cranberries: The star of the sauce, providing a bold tangy flavor and vibrant red color that’s perfect for holiday tables.
- Thyme: Adds a touch of earthy, herbaceous flavor that pairs beautifully with the cranberries and feta.
- Feta Cheese: Creamy, salty, and rich, feta is the base of the whipped dip, creating a luxurious texture and bold flavor.
- Garlic: Brings a savory, aromatic depth that enhances the whipped feta’s complexity.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adds just a touch of warmth and spice to complement the creamy and tangy elements.
- Cream Cheese: Provides creaminess and helps smooth the whipped feta into a light, fluffy texture.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Adds richness and smoothness to the whipped feta while balancing the tangy flavors.
- Toasted Pistachios: Offer a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that contrasts beautifully with the creamy and tangy elements.
- Rosemary Crackers or Crostini: The perfect vehicles for scooping up this luscious dip, adding a crispy and savory bite.
HOW TO MAKE THIS HOLIDAY APPETIZER DIP
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together orange juice and 2 tablespoon honey (30g) until combined, then bring to a boil. Add cranberries, reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and become saucy, about 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in orange zest. Let cool.
- Meanwhile, drain brine from feta. In a food processor, pulse feta, garlic, red pepper flakes, and chopped thyme until feta breaks up into small crumbs. Add cream cheese and pulse until combined. With the motor running, drizzle in olive oil and blend until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Transfer whipped feta to a serving bowl. Top with cooled cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with pistachios and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon honey (15 g). Serve with crackers.
Make Ahead: Dip can be made 4 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. Pairs well with these Homemade Rosemary Crackers!
MORE DIPS AND APPETIZERS TO TRY!
- Roasted Poblano Walnut Pesto
- Whipped Goat Cheese with Confit Tomatoes (Coming Soon)
- Pumpkin Hummus
- Sweet Potato Hummus
- Curry Hummus
EQUIPMENT FOR CRANBERRY WHIPPED FETA DIP
- Small Saucepan: To cook the cranberry sauce.
- Food Processor: To whip the feta and cream cheese into a smooth, fluffy dip.
- Zester: For finely grating the orange zest.
- Serving Bowl: To present the finished dip.
- Baking Sheet: for toasting pistachios in the oven.
- Toaster Oven or Oven: To toast pistachios if not already toasted.
Historical & Fun Feta Facts!
Feta, the creamy and crumbly cheese synonymous with Greek cuisine, is traditionally crafted from a mix of goat and sheep milk. This zesty whipped feta dip highlights the iconic flavors of Greece with just a handful of ingredients, making it a simple yet impressive appetizer.
Feta’s history is as rich as its flavor! Dating back to ancient Greece in the 8th century BC, it was a dietary staple, later gaining the name prósphatos during the Byzantine era, meaning "recent" or "fresh."
CRANBERRY WHIPPED FETA DIET CATEGORIES
Bite Me Industries is a produce-centric blog celebrating seasonal ingredients, with a strong emphasis on baking and flavor-driven recipes for the home kitchen that transport you to your favorite café, bakery, or bistro for that special meal or indulgence. The diet categories listed below are provided for your convenience and are not intended as nutritional advice.
Here is a quick reference if you are trying to meet a dietary consideration.
- EF (Egg-Free): Yes, this recipe contains no eggs.
- GF (Gluten-Free): Yes, as long as gluten-free crackers or crostini are used.
- NF (Nut-Free): Yes, pistachios can be omitted for a nut-free version.
- VE (Vegetarian): Yes, this recipe contains no meat or animal by-products apart from dairy.
Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly if low-carb crackers are used.
Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
Ingredients
The Cranberry Sauce
- ⅓ cup fresh orange juice (80 ml), plus 1 tsp. finely grated orange zest (5 ml)
- 2 tablespoons honey (30g), divided
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (120g)
The Whipped Feta
- 2 sprigs thyme (10g), leaves only
- 8 oz. feta in brine (225g), cut into small cubes
- 2 cloves garlic grated or minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (1g)
- 4 oz. cream cheese (115g), room temperature
- 1 tablespoon honey (15ml)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (30ml)
Garnish
- drizzle Honey
- Cranberry Sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted chopped pistachios (30g)
Serve with: Rosemary crackers or crostini
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together orange juice and 2 tablespoon honey (30g) until combined, then bring to a boil. Add cranberries, reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and become saucy, about 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in orange zest. Let cool.
- Meanwhile, drain brine from feta. In a food processor, pulse feta, garlic, red pepper flakes, and chopped thyme until feta breaks up into small crumbs. Add cream cheese and pulse until combined. With the motor running, drizzle in olive oil and blend until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Transfer whipped feta to a serving bowl. Top with cooled cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with pistachios and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon honey (15 g). Serve with crackers.
Notes
Got leftovers or planning ahead? Store this dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If prepping in advance, hold off on adding the cranberry sauce and pistachios until just before serving for the freshest flavor and presentation.
Nutrition
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