Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
feta, cranberries
This cranberry whipped feta dip combines the salty savoury flavours of creamy whipped feta with the sweet and tart flavours of cranberry sauce. We love a good combination of sweet and savoury. We use our Cranberry Chutney for the cranberry sauce in this recipe but truly you can use any cranberry sauce or cranberry jam you prefer - store-bought or your own homemade recipe. It is the perfect low fuss dip for gatherings whether you are hosting or asked to bring something to a dinner party. We keep the whipped feta pretty simple but it’s also quite customizable. Serve this quick, easy, delicious dip with your favorite crisps, crackers or crostini - your guests will love it!
Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip Recipe Ingredients
- CRANBERRY SAUCE: Use whatever cranberry sauce you like - your own favorite cranberry sauce recipe, our classic cranberry sauce recipe, our personal fav is our cranberry chutney. You could also use store bought and canned cranberry sauce or even cranberry jam or jelly. We use between 1/2 cup to 1 cup of cranberry sauce. You decide how much you would like to layer over the creamy whipped feta.
- FETA CHEESE: You can use any brand of feta cheese for this recipe but we recommended one that is a blend of cows and sheep milk as it will be creamier and richer in flavor. I also recommend buying a block of feta instead of buying it pre crumbled - which can be a lot drier. I like to pat the feta dry and blend it when it’s room temperature. For a vegan version you could try using a vegan feta.
- CREAM CHEESE: We use plain cream cheese - full fat for best flavor. But this recipe would also be great with the equivalent amount of herbed or flavoured cream cheese or even Boursin. Of course this would add loads more flavor to the base layer - if that is what you are looking for - go for it! If you are looking for a Greek yogurt blend option instead of cream cheese you can try this one. For a vegan version you could try using a vegan cream cheese.
- OLIVE OIL: We use a little olive oil to add richness to the dip but it also helps thin the dip out a little. if you prefer to use heavy cream or milk to do this instead you are welcome to swap out the olive oil for it. If you would like to add more than 1-2 tablespoons of the olive oil to reach desired texture you can do so.
- HONEY: We love to drizzle over a little honey over the whole dip once it’s assembled. It adds a hint more sweetness.
- NUTS: Our favorite nuts to add are pistachios - they are perfect with this dip but you could also use toasted chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts or even chopped candied nuts.
- FRESH HERBS: Fresh herbs add a nice touch of flavour. With this combination I would recommend either fresh thyme or fresh rosemary
- EXTRA ADD INS: If you would like to customize the creamy whipped feel free to add in a little lemon zest, or even a small clove of garlic, or a dash of garlic powder. You can also add in some fresh herbs or dried herbs. Or if you prefer a little sweetness you could add a touch of honey too. I would say whatever you decide to add just add a touch. The creamy feta is the base and most of the flavour comes form the cranberry sauce so go easy on the add ins for the feta base and chose ones that will enhance the overall dip.
How to Make Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
- Blend Base Ingredients: Blend the feta cheese, cream cheese and olive oil in a food processor until creamy.
- Assemble Dip: Spoon out and smooth the feta dip onto serving plate. Dollop or layer over the cranberry sauce.
- Garnish Dip: Drizzle honey all over, sprinkle over chopped pistachios, and fresh thyme leaves.
- Serve: Serve with your favorite crackers!
What Do I Serve Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip With?
Serve this dip with a sturdy cracker or crisp. I would also suggest that you use a more plain or similar flavor profile cracker so the flavors don’t compete too much. My personal favourite and what I always include on my charcuterie board are seeded Raincoast crisps that are sturdy and crunchy - either store-bought or homemade like my Rosemary cranberry crackers. My other favorite are pita chips - they are sturdy and so easy to use as a mini scoop for this dip. You can use a cracker to scoop up the dip for a more shareable experience or you can also use a spreader knife just in case. You can also make baguette bites or crunchy crostini - or simply spread this over sliced baguette.
Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip Make Ahead & Storage
Homemade cranberry chutney / cranberry sauce lasts for 10 to 14 days in the refrigerator when stored separately, properly in a covered, airtight container. The Whipped feta can last in the fridge for up to 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container. However, the texture may thicken after refrigeration, so you can let it sit at room temp for about 30 minutes before serving. Both a great for making ahead! Store separately and assemble before serving.
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Recipe
Ingredients
For the Whipped Feta
- 8 ounces feta cheese, at room temperature (cubed or broken up into smaller chunks)
- 3-4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Topping
- ½-1 cup cranberry sauce or cranberry jam
- 3 tablespoon pistachio nuts chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme fresh
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
Directions
- Place feta, cream cheese, and olive oil into a food processor. Blend together until ingredients are well mixed, smooth and creamy. Check the seasoning - if it is too salty, add a little more cream cheese. (The level of salt and creaminess will depend on the feta.)
- Spread creamy feta onto a serving plate or in a bowl.
- Dollop over cranberry sauce.
- Drizzle over honey, and sprinkle over pistachios and fresh thyme leaves.
- Serve with crackers, crisps. pita chips, crostini etc…
Recipe Notes
- Troubleshooting: If you find the feta dip is too salty after it is blended simply blend in a little extra cream cheese to balance out the dip. Remember not to salt before blending because the feta will add a lot of saltiness to the dip. Also remember that the creamy feta will be layered with a sweet and tart sauce so you do want it to have a little salty savouriness.
- Too thick? No problem! To thin out the dip if you find it overly thick either drizzle and blend in a little extra olive oil or milk or cream. Remember though that you want it to be on the thicker side to hold up under the thicker jam like cranberry sauce. If it was a lighter topping you could have a lighter base but it’s a thicker topping so you want the base layer to hold up and remain scoop able.
