If you love whipped feta, wait till you try this lovely holiday version – Cranberry Whipped Feta with pistachios with its tart, sweet and savory profile. It instantly puts me in a festive mood!
Featuring a creamy whipped feta spread topped with chunky homemade cranberry sauce, crunchy pistachios and a drizzled of honey, this cranberry whipped feta dip is an easy appetizer that can be served with crackers, crostini’s, or on a charcuterie board.
Need a short-cut? Get store-bought cranberry sauce and make this dip in under 10 minutes. It seriously doesn’t get easier than this!
Whipped Feta with Cranberry Sauce
With the Fall comes thankfulness and joy, pumpkins and apples, oversized comfy sweaters and thick socks, and last but not least, CRANBERRIES!
As a proud cranberry-devourer, and a fan of feta cheese, it is only a matter of time I bring to you this cranberry whipped feta recipe – a stunning and delicious appetizer and dip.
This elegant and yummy cranberry whipped feta closely resembles Cranberry Baked Brie, because we cannot let the holidays arrive without making at least one cranberry-cheese combo awesomeness.
If you have leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or Christmas, it is a great way to use it up making this recipe.
The combination of flavors of the creamy yet light whipped feta with citrus notes, tangy and sweet cranberry sauce, crunchy crushed pistachios and a touch of honey brings about a flavor explosion in the mouth.
On top of that, this dip is so festive and fun, perfect for the holiday season!
Cranberry whipped feta dip takes less than 30 minutes to put together, and can be made ahead of time. If you want to cut short the time, use cranberry sauce from the store and have it ready in under 10 quick minutes with no cooking involved!
Make this whipped feta dip with cranberries for your next holiday party, Thanksgiving dinner table etc. Trust me, everybody will is raving about it and asking you for the recipe!
Ingredients
Let’s take about the simple ingredients that makes up this cranberry whipped feta dip recipe.
For the cranberry sauce:
- fresh or frozen cranberries – Both fresh or frozen works great to make that tart, sweet cranberry sauce which was much better than the canned version. If you are in a pinch, no stress, get store-bought cranberry sauce and save some time!
- granulated sugar – Given cranberries are quite tart, sugar balances out the tart flavors and bring about a perfect balance. Other sweeteners such as maple syrup or honey can be used as well.
- water – used as the liquid to cook the cranberries in; orange juice can be used in place of water
- orange zest – Just a small ingredient that brings about a zest of fresh flavors.
For the whipped feta:
- feta cheese – A key ingredient so get good quality feta. Highly recommend getting feta in block form (not crumbled). This cheese is salty, that’s also why we are not adding additional salt to our whipped feta dip.
- Greek yogurt – used to combine with feta to form a creamy dip!
- lemon zest – A hint of brightness that brings about fresh yummy flavors for the feta. I find that this pairs really well with the cranberries.
- olive oil – this is used to thin out the feta mixture and to make it nice and smooth.
- pistachios – shelled then crushed. Bring about beautiful crunchy textures and delicious flavors.
How to make it
Let’s make this easy yet lovely cranberry whipped feta recipe!
Make the cranberry sauce – in a small saucepan or pot, bring cranberries, sugar, water and orange zest to a pot and bring to boil. Keep stirring and cook on low heat until it thickens.
Once the sauce thickens, remove from heat and let it cool in room temperature.
Making homemade cranberry sauce literally takes less than 15 minutes, but if you are pressed for time, grab a jar of cranberry sauce from the store and skip this step!
Make the whipped feta – using a food processor or blender, dump all the ingredients in there – feta cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon zest and olive oil.
Pulse until you get that creamy texture. Add more olive oil to thin it out if you pretty a thinner consistency.
Assemble – transfer whipped feta to a bowl, then assemble that cranberry feta spread!
Smear whipped feta cheese all around a serving plate, add that sweet cranberry sauce on top, then sprinkle it with pistachios.
Drizzle honey all over for another touch of sweetness.
That’s it! It’s that simple!
Cranberry Feta Dip is elegant and sophisticated in addition to being tasty, making it a lovely dip for parties and entertaining.
Serving Suggestions
Serve cranberry whipped feta dip with some of my faves:
- crostinis or baguette slices
- crackers
- pita
- veggies sticks as dippers
- on meats such as turkey or chicken
- on roasted or grilled veggies such as green beans or brussels sprouts
- with salads
Variation and Substitution
- Other sweet jams/jelly: Instead of cranberry sauce, you can also top the whipped feta with fig jam, pepper jelly, or any of your favorite fruit preserves.
- Nuts: Top with other nuts in place or in addition to pistachios, such as pecans, almonds, etc.
- Herbs: Decorate or add in fresh rosemary, dill or thyme. Or even red pepper flakes for some kick.
- Additional Dairy: Blend in a little cream or ricotta cheese for extra creaminess.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can store cranberry whipped feta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want it to last longer, consider storing the whipped feta and cranberry sauce separately and combining them just before serving. This will help maintain the freshness and texture of each component.
Freezing is not recommended — whipped feta’s texture can become crumbly and watery once thawed. Cranberry sauce can be made ahead and frozen.
Tips and Tricks
- Use High-Quality Feta: Choose high-quality feta cheese for the best flavor. Block feta is typically better than pre-crumbled as it contains less artificial preservatives.
- Drain Feta Cheese: If using feta stored in liquid, drain it well to prevent a watery dip. Pat it dry if necessary.
- Thicken Sauce: For a thicker cranberry sauce, let it simmer longer or mash the cranberries for a chunky sauce. A sprinkle of cornstarch can also help.
- Customize Olive Oil Quantity: Adjust the amount of olive oil to achieve your desired dip consistency. Alternatively use water as to make the sauce thinner and lighter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use pre-made cranberry sauce to save time. Choose a high-quality brand for the best taste. Homemade cranberry sauce generally offers a fresher, more natural flavor, but pre-made can be a convenient and tasty alternative.
Yes, cream cheese can be used in place of or in combination with Greek yogurt for creamier, richer texture.
Usually 1–2 minutes, or until completely smooth and fluffy. Keep going until you no longer see tiny feta crumbles.
Your feta might be too cold or too dry. Let it come to room temperature and add a little more olive oil to smooth it out.
ENJOYED THIS RECIPE? Tell us what you think by leaving a rating and review below! 🤍
More Appetizers and Dips
- Roasted Garlic Bread Dip
- Caramelized Onion Goat Cheese Tart
- Chili Cheese Dip
- Crab Rangoon Dip
- Bruschetta with Tomatoes, Basil and Balsamic Vinegar
- Marshmallow Fruit Dip
Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries or frozen
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp orange zest
Whipped Feta
- 8 oz feta
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 lemon zested
- 3-4 tbsp olive oil
- pistachios shelled, roughly chopped; for serving
- 1 tbsp honey for serving
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan, add all cranberry sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, turn down heat, stir continuously and let simmer 5-10 minutes or until thickened. Once finished, remove from heat and let it cool.
- Add feta cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon zest, and olive oil to food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Pulse until smooth, adding more olive oil if needed.
- Once whipped feta has reached desired consistency, spread onto a serving platter. Top with cranberry sauce and pistachios, then drizzle with honey.
- Serve and enjoy!
I made this whipped feta for a dinner party and it turned out heavenly! Everyone was raving about how delicious it was! We are not in cranberry season right now. So instead I put crushed pistachios and honey on top which turned out so good! This was so easy to make and followed the specific instructions on letting the feta come to room temperature which I think makes a huge difference. Will now be my go to for a dish to bring!
Thanks Julia! So happy to hear everyone enjoyed this recipe!