Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Tacos

Featured in: Seasonal Flavors

Bright cranberries and spicy jalapeños blend into a flavorful dip, layered in soft tortillas with melted cheese, crunchy lettuce, and fresh herbs. This vibrant fusion brings a zingy kick and creamy texture, perfect for gatherings. Quick to prepare, each taco offers a unique balance of sweet, heat, and creaminess. Enjoy warm with extra lime wedges for a refreshing twist, or add poultry for heartiness. Vegetarian, easy to modify for gluten-free diets, and ideal as an appetizer or main.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:29:00 GMT
Tangy cranberry jalapeño dip tacos topped with fresh veggies and melted cheese.  Save
Tangy cranberry jalapeño dip tacos topped with fresh veggies and melted cheese. | toastytongs.com

Tangy cranberry-jalapeño dip meets savory tacos in this inventive fusion dish, combining sweet heat with creamy, cheesy flavors for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main.

I first brought these tacos to a potluck and watched everyone go back for seconds. The combo of fruity cranberry and spicy jalapeño in a taco shell is always a surprise hit!

Ingredients

  • Cranberry Jalapeño Dip: 1 cup fresh cranberries (or thawed frozen), 2 medium jalapeños seeded and finely diced, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 green onions finely sliced, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup sour cream, juice of 1 lime
  • Tacos: 8 small flour or corn tortillas, 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1/2 cup diced red onion, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

Prepare the Cranberry Jalapeño Dip:
Pulse cranberries, jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, sugar, salt, and lime juice in a food processor until finely chopped but not pureed. Mix cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl until smooth. Fold in the cranberry mixture until fully combined. Chill at least 15 minutes.
Warm the Tortillas:
Heat tortillas in a skillet or microwave until pliable.
Assemble the Tacos:
Spread a generous spoonful of cranberry jalapeño dip onto each tortilla. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, red onion, and fresh cilantro.
Serve:
Enjoy immediately, optionally with extra lime wedges.
Savory tacos filled with creamy cranberry jalapeño dip, perfect for any gathering.  Save
Savory tacos filled with creamy cranberry jalapeño dip, perfect for any gathering. | toastytongs.com

My family loves to gather in the kitchen for taco night, experimenting with new combos like this cranberry-jalapeño version. These tacos always spark some friendly debate on who made the most creative plate!

Required Tools

Food processor, mixing bowls, skillet for warming tortillas, knife and cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cream cheese, sour cream, cheese) and gluten (if using flour tortillas). Use certified gluten-free corn tortillas for a safe swap and always read product labels for allergy info.

Nutritional Information

Each taco contains approximately 220 calories, 10 g total fat, 27 g carbohydrates, and 6 g protein when prepared with flour tortillas and cheese.

Vibrant cranberry jalapeño dip tacos, bursting with flavor and fresh ingredients. Save
Vibrant cranberry jalapeño dip tacos, bursting with flavor and fresh ingredients. | toastytongs.com

Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime for a zesty burst. These tacos are easy to scale for a crowd: just double the filling!

Recipe FAQ

How spicy are these tacos?

The level of heat depends on the amount of jalapeño seeds used. Removing seeds keeps it mild; add some seeds for extra spice.

Can this dish be made gluten-free?

Absolutely, substitute flour tortillas with certified gluten-free corn tortillas to make it suitable for gluten-free diets.

What cheese works best for these tacos?

Mozzarella or Monterey Jack both melt well and pair with the tangy dip. You can experiment with your preferred cheese.

Can this dish include meat?

Yes, grilled chicken or turkey makes a delicious protein addition if you prefer a non-vegetarian version.

What if I don’t have a food processor?

You can finely chop the ingredients by hand and mix well. The texture will be chunkier but still tasty.

How do I store leftovers?

Store dip separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Assemble tacos fresh for best results.

Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Tacos

Sweet heat meets creamy cheese, fresh vegetables, and soft tortillas for crowd-pleasing fusion tacos.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
10 min
Complete duration
30 min
Created By Daniel Brooks


Skill Level Easy

Heritage Fusion (Tex-Mex, American)

Output 8 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-Free

Components

Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

01 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
02 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
03 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
04 2 green onions, finely sliced
05 1/4 cup granulated sugar
06 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
07 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
08 1/2 cup sour cream
09 Juice of 1 lime

Taco Assembly

01 8 small flour or corn tortillas
02 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
03 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
04 1/2 cup diced red onion
05 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Cranberry Jalapeño Blend: In a food processor, pulse together cranberries, jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and lime juice until finely chopped with visible texture. Do not puree.

Phase 02

Combine with Cream Base: In a mixing bowl, whisk softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy. Fold in the cranberry jalapeño mixture until the dip is uniform in color and texture. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to blend flavors.

Phase 03

Warm the Tortillas: Heat tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or microwave briefly until soft and pliable. Keep warm under a clean towel until assembly.

Phase 04

Assemble Filled Tacos: Spread a generous spoonful of chilled cranberry jalapeño dip on each tortilla. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, red onion, and cilantro.

Phase 05

Serve: Serve tacos immediately, accompanied by optional lime wedges if desired.

Tools needed

  • Food processor
  • Mixing bowls
  • Skillet
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare professional if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy ingredients such as cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese. Contains gluten if using flour tortillas. For a gluten-free preparation, select certified gluten-free corn tortillas. Check product labels to avoid cross-contamination.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 220
  • Fats: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Proteins: 6 g