This creamy cranberry whipped feta dip has layers of cranberry sauce, pistachios, and honey. Serve it with crusty bread or crackers for the perfect holiday appetizer.
Love dips? Try baked brie with fig jam, whipped goat cheese, or cottage cheese ranch dip next.
Thanksgiving appetizers are a staple on our holiday table. We live for the snacks and Thanksgiving drinks leading up to the main meal.
This whipped feta cranberry dip starts with a creamy feta base and is topped with cranberry sauce, crushed pistachios, and hot honey. Just like sweet potatoes bites, it has every flavor and texture in one bit.
Love cranberry? Try cranberry meatballs or a cranberry moscow mule next!
Ingredients You Need
Here are the simple ingredients you need to make this cranberry whipped feta dip . Skip to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Feta cheese: use the feta cheese in the brine. It tends to be softer and more creamy (easy for whipping!)
- Heavy cream and oil: this helps thin out the feta slightly to whip it.
- Cranberry sauce: buy whole berry cranberry sauce or make homemade cranberry sauce.
- Pistachios: add a nice crunch and color. You can use pecans or walnuts too.
- Orange juice and zest: it balances the cranberry. Omit this if you make homemade cranberry sauce that already includes orange.
- Hot honey: drizzle it on top for sweetness and the smallest amount of heat.
Need another holiday appetizer? Try sweet potato puffs or bacon wrapped dates with goat cheese.
Recipe Variations
- Try goat cheese instead of feta.
- Crush pecans over top instead of pistachios.
- Use regular honey instead of hot honey.
- Add more holiday herbs like rosemary.
How to Make Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
Here are the simple steps, with photos, to make this whipped feta cranberry dip Skip to the recipe card for the printable version.
Step 1. Whip the Feta. Add the feta, oil, and heavy cream to a food-processor or blender. Mix until smooth and very cream.
Step 2. Assemble and Chill. Pour the whipped feta into a serving bowl. Top with cranberry sauce and crushed pistachios. Chill for 15 minutes then drizzle with hot honey and sprinkle with thyme before serving.
Expert Tips
- Make your own cranberry sauce if possible!
- Use feta in the brine (I like Whole Foods 365) because it’s softer and easier to whip.
- Use a high speed blender or food processor. It will take longer to whip without one.
- Keep blending and scraping down the sides. It will be crumbly, then thick, then start to thin out when it’s completely whipped.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of water at a time to reach your desired consistency. It’s ok if it looks like it’s too thin. Chilling it will firm it up slightly.
Serving Suggestions
- Crostini
- Toasted sourdough
- Crackers
- Puff pastry
- Bagel chips
- Pita bread
How to Store and Make Ahead
Cover leftover whipped feta in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To make ahead, whip the feta and make the cranberry sauce up to 3 days in advance. Assemble the two together and cover or store them separately in the fridge. Top with pistachios, honey, and thyme before serving.
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Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
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Ingredients
- 2 cups whole cranberry sauce store bought (1 can) or homemade cranberry sauce (chilled)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest plus more to garnish
- 1 Tablespoon orange juice
- 8 ounces feta cheese (I use the kind in the brine)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/4 cup roasted salted pistachios chopped
- Hot honey to taste
- Fresh chopped thyme to taste
- Toasted bread crostini, pita, or crackers for serving
Instructions
- Add the cranberry sauce, orange zest, and orange juice to a bowl and stir to combine. Skip this step if you are using homemade cranberry sauce with orange in it already.2 cups whole cranberry sauce, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1 Tablespoon orange juice
- Add the feta and olive oil to a food processor or high-spend blender and blend until crumbly. Pour in the heavy cream and blend until creamy and smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. It will become thick and hard to blend then smooth out. Add 1 Tablespoon of water at a time as needed to reach your desired consistency. Transfer the feta to a serving bowl and refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 3 days.8 ounces feta cheese, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- Top with cranberry sauce and crushed pistachios. Drizzle with hot honey and sprinkle with fresh thyme. Serve cold or room temperature with crusty bread for dipping.1/4 cup roasted salted pistachios, Hot honey to taste, Fresh chopped thyme to taste
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I made this for a Christmas appetizer. It was such a unique dish – everyone was so impressed! It tasted delicious as well. #WhatWEMade
Yay! Thanks Nicole!
Simple and festive!
#WhatWEMade
Thanks Emiley!!