If you’re on the hunt for a dip that’s effortlessly festive and seriously delicious, you’re going to love this Cranberry Feta Dip with Pistachios Recipe. It’s creamy, tangy, with just the right touch of sweetness—and that crunchy pistachio topping? Absolute magic! I first made this for a holiday gathering, and it quickly became the star of the appetizer table. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my personal tips to help you make this dip just right every time.

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: You’ll have this whipped up in just 10 minutes—perfect for last-minute entertaining.
Balanced Flavors: The tart cranberries and salty feta are a match made in heaven, with a touch of sweetness from honey.
Textural Contrast: The crunchy pistachios add just the right pop to creamy, dreamy dip.
Versatile Serving: Whether it’s crackers, toast, or fresh veggies, this dip pairs beautifully with so many options.

The image shows a white plate with three main layers: the bottom layer is thick, creamy, and white, spread evenly across the plate. The middle layer is a glossy, deep red jelly or jam, placed in a rough circle over the cream, leaving the white layer visible on the edges. The top layer is a scattering of green and brown chopped nuts, mainly pistachios, spread unevenly over the red jelly. Around the plate, on a white marbled surface, there are pieces of crusty bread and a wooden cutting board underneath the plate. A white honey pot with a wooden honey dipper is partly visible at the top left corner, alongside a white cloth with red patterns near the bottom left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here plays a vital role in the flavor and texture combo that makes this dip unforgettable. When you shop, aim for quality feta in brine for the best tang, and whole cranberry sauce that’s rich and slightly chunky to give extra texture.

Feta Cheese: Choose feta in the brine and bring it to room temperature for easier blending and creamier texture.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese adds smoothness and balances the feta’s saltiness.
Whole Cranberry Sauce: This adds natural tartness and sweetness—homemade or store-bought works great.
Chopped Pistachios: These give the dip a pleasant crunch and a subtle nutty flavor.
Honey: I like honey for a floral sweetness that lifts the entire dish without overpowering it.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love tweaking this Cranberry Feta Dip with Pistachios Recipe depending on the occasion or what’s in my pantry. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!

Add Fresh Herbs: I sometimes fold in chopped fresh thyme or rosemary for an herbal note that amplifies the holiday vibe.
Swap Nuts: Pistachios are my favorite, but toasted walnuts or pecans work beautifully if you want a different crunch.
Make it Vegan: Use a plant-based cream cheese and a tofu feta alternative; just adjust honey with maple syrup to keep it sweet.
Spice it Up: A pinch of chili flakes or cayenne adds a surprising kick if you like a little heat.

How to Make Cranberry Feta Dip with Pistachios Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Blend the Cheeses

Start by draining your feta cheese so it’s not watery, which helps the dip stay thick and creamy. Add the feta along with the softened cream cheese into your food processor. Pulse a few times until they’re combined well but still have a little texture—overprocessing can make it too soft for spreading.

Step 2: Add Cranberry Sauce and Honey

Next up, blend in ¼ cup of whole cranberry sauce and the honey. This combo brings a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness to your dip. Pulse just enough to incorporate—I like to leave a few little cranberry chunks for texture.

Step 3: Assemble and Garnish

Remove the dip from the processor and spread it onto your favorite serving dish—a shallow bowl or charming platter works well. Now, spoon the remaining cranberry sauce on top for a burst of vibrant color and sweet zing, then generously sprinkle the chopped pistachios over everything. This final step practically guarantees the “wow” factor from your guests.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Feta Dip with Pistachios Recipe

Room Temperature Cheese: Bringing the feta and cream cheese to room temp makes blending easier and gives you that luscious whipped texture I love.
Don’t Overprocess: I learned the hard way that over-blending makes the dip too runny—pulse gently for the best consistency.
Use Whole Cranberry Sauce: Chunky sauce adds body and little bursts of sweetness, unlike smooth cranberry jelly.
Add Pistachios Just Before Serving: This keeps them crunchy and prevents them from getting soggy on the dip.

How to Serve Cranberry Feta Dip with Pistachios Recipe

A woman's hand holds a round slice of toasted bread topped with a thick layer of white creamy cheese, bright red berry sauce with berry pieces, and scattered green and brown chopped pistachios. In the background, there is a white shallow bowl filled with the same three layers: a thick, swirled base of creamy white cheese, a spread of bright red berry sauce in the middle, and a topping of chopped pistachios. Around the bowl, several slices of toasted bread are scattered on a white marbled surface. A wooden spreader rests inside the bowl, partially covered in the creamy cheese and berry sauce. The image is clear and bright, focusing on the texture of the ingredients photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Besides the chopped pistachios and cranberry sauce, I love finishing this dip with a drizzle of extra honey or a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves. It adds a lovely sweet-herbaceous note that makes it feel even more special on the table.

Side Dishes

I typically serve this cranberry feta dip with toasted baguette slices or crunchy water crackers. It also pairs wonderfully with fresh veggie sticks like celery, cucumber, or bell peppers if you want a lighter option. At holiday parties, it’s always the first appetizer to disappear!

Creative Ways to Present

One fun way I like to serve this dip is in small Mason jars for individual portions—perfect for a buffet or picnic. Alternatively, you can shape the dip into a festive wreath on a platter, using the cranberry sauce and pistachios for decoration. It makes your table look stunning and gets people excited to dig in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This dip keeps really well when covered tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always store the pistachios separately if I know there’ll be leftovers, so they stay crunchy when I serve it again.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen this dip myself, I’ve read it’s best to avoid freezing because the texture may change slightly. Instead, I recommend making it fresh for each party—it’s quick enough that you won’t mind whipping up a new batch!

Reheating

If your dip has been chilled, just bring it to room temperature before serving so the flavors shine and the texture softens a bit. I usually let it sit out for 20-30 minutes and give it a gentle stir before serving. No microwaving needed here!

FAQs

Can I make this Cranberry Feta Dip with Pistachios Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! It’s a fantastic make-ahead dip. Just blend everything except the pistachios and extra cranberry sauce. Store the dip covered in the fridge and add the topping just before serving for the best texture and appearance.
What’s the best way to serve this dip?

I love serving it with toasted baguette slices or crunchy crackers. You can also pair it with fresh raw veggies for a lighter option. The key is picking something sturdy enough to scoop up the creamy dip without breaking.
Can I use regular feta instead of feta in brine?

Feta in brine is best because it’s moister and saltier, which gives the dip its signature tang. If you use block feta, you might want to soak it briefly in water to reduce excess salt and soften it a bit before blending.
Is this dip gluten-free?

The dip itself is naturally gluten-free, but you’ll want to pair it with gluten-free crackers or veggies if you’re serving guests with gluten sensitivities.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Cranberry Feta Dip with Pistachios Recipe comes together—so simple, yet feels so special. It’s become my go-to for the holidays and even casual get-togethers because it never fails to impress. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do. Trust me, once your family or friends try it, they’ll be asking for it every year too. So go ahead, whip it up, and watch it disappear faster than you can say “pass the crackers!”

Cranberry Feta Dip with Pistachios Recipe

4.5 from 96 reviews

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

This Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip is a delicious holiday appetizer featuring creamy whipped feta and cream cheese combined with tart cranberry sauce, sweet honey, and crunchy pistachios. Perfect for serving with toasted bread or crackers, it offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors with a smooth and fluffy texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Base

8 ounces feta cheese (in the brine, brought to room temperature)
4 ounces cream cheese (softened)

Fruit and Sweeteners

½ cup whole cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons honey

Toppings

¼ cup chopped pistachios

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Drain and Prepare Cheese: Drain the feta cheese to remove excess brine. Add the drained feta and softened cream cheese into the bowl of a food processor.
Combine Cheese: Pulse the food processor several times to blend the feta and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy.
Add Cranberry and Honey: Add ¼ cup of the whole cranberry sauce and the honey to the cheese mixture. Pulse again until everything is combined well, maintaining a whipped texture.
Transfer and Garnish: Remove the whipped feta mixture from the food processor and spread it evenly on a serving platter or place it in a bowl.
Add Toppings: Spoon the remaining ¼ cup of cranberry sauce on top of the cheese spread, then sprinkle the chopped pistachios over the dip for a crunchy finish.
Serve: Serve this creamy cranberry whipped feta dip with toasted bread slices or crackers for a perfect holiday appetizer.

Notes

This cranberry feta cheese dip is perfect for holiday gatherings due to its festive colors and rich flavors.
The dip offers a creamy texture balanced with the tartness of cranberries and sweetness from honey.
Using whole cranberry sauce adds texture and fruity bursts to the dip.
Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey according to your preference.
Serve chilled or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 192 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 323 mg
Fat: 13 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 40 mg