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Cranberry Pistachio Spread – A dip for crackers

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Looking for a festive spread for the holidays? This Cranberry Pistachio spread is not only easy peasy, but bursting with flavor and just the thing for a simple appetizer. Spread it on your favorite cracker over cream cheese and it’s a mouthful of deliciousness.

 

 

 

Cranberries are both tart and slightly sweet and when paired with a savory nut it brings out the best of both flavors. I love this holiday cranberry pistachio spread because I almost always have what it takes to make it if someone shows up out of the blue and I can whip it up in just moments. Served with cream cheese (or goat cheese) it is always devoured in no time.

Cranberries(sweet) ,  crunchy pistachios, seasoned with fresh basil and garlic make this a pesto in my book. I recently had a conversation on what makes something a pesto.   The general consensus was that it has to have cheese in it. While I do serve this atop of a creamy cheese it isn’t in the actual “spread.” But you do make it just like a pesto.

 

PIN THIS TO HAVE WHEN YOU NEED A LAST MINUTE APPETIZER DURING THE HOLIDAYS!  

 

What is in holiday pesto spread?

  • dried cranberries
  • garlic
  • raw or roasted pistachio nuts
  • fresh basil
  • olive oil

cranberries, pistachios in the pureed pesto

How to make pesto spread to use on top of cream cheese

All the ingredients are placed in a food processor and pulsed a bit then slowly drizzling olive oil in to get it to a nice spreadable consistency. The cranberries, basil, garlic and pistachios look very festive with the hints of different reds and greens.

 

 

Questions about holiday party appetizer pesto

  • Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries?  You can absolutely use fresh cranberries but I suggest adding a little honey or some sweetener to the pesto.  Dried cranberries are much sweeter than fresh cranberries and you’ll need to taste the pesto to see if you want some additional sweetness.
  • Pistachios are so expensive, will other nuts work in pesto?  Yes many nuts would work beautifully in this cream cheese dip/spread on crackers.  I like the pistachios for the green color but walnuts, pecans or almonds would work too.  Actually even unsalted peanuts would work to make a pesto too.
  • Can you freeze the pesto?  You can freeze the holiday pesto spread if you want to.  The texture will change slightly from the oil being added to the dried cranberries and it gets a little gummy.  My family doesn’t mind the change in texture, but I’d rather have it not be frozen.
  • Can I make the pesto ahead of time?  This holiday appetizer pesto is easily made up to a week ahead of time for your entertaining.  Store it in the fridge in a sealed container until you are ready to serve it.  Remove it from the fridge an hour before you want to serve it to allow it to come to room temperature.
  • Can I use something besides cream cheese on top of the crackers?  Yes this pesto works well over any creamy cheese such as goat cheese or a nice brie cheese.

 

Looking for a festive spread for the holidays? This Cranberry Pistachio spread is not only easy peasy, but bursting with flavor and just the thing for a simple appetizer. Spread it on your favorite cracker and it’s a mouthful of deliciousness.

More uses for Cranberry Pistachio Pesto

This spread is so versatile too! If you add some extra olive oil to thin it a little bit you can toss it into your favorite pasta. Then crumble the goat cheese as a garnish and you have a top notch vegetarian pasta.

It also works really well as a sandwich add on. You know, with that leftover turkey or a roast chicken.

I’ve even been known to toss it with some roasted vegetables….for example, brussels sprouts or green beans. It really gives the vegetables a whole new dimension. (Roast the vegetables first and then toss right before serving.)

 

Holiday Cranberry pesto used to toss over roasted Brussel sprouts

 

Try this simple Cranberry Pistachio Spread appetizer and let me know what you think!

 

More Fancy, but super easy Holiday Appetizers for entertaining:

 

 

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5 from 7 votes
Cranberry Pistacio Spread on crackers next to a bowl of extra spread!
Print
Cranberry Pistachio Spread! The perfect holiday appetizer.
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Looking for a festive spread for the holidays? This Cranberry Pistachio spread is not only easy peasy, but bursting with flavor and just the thing for a simple appetizer. Spread it on your favorite cracker and it’s a mouthful of deliciousness. It's so versatile you can also toss it with pasta, on your favorite sandwich or with any roasted vegetable.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas dip, cranberry pesto dip, holiday dip
Servings: 16 (1 tbsp/svg)
Calories: 66 kcal
Author: Michele Hall
Ingredients
  • 1/2 Cup Pistachio Nuts
  • 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
  • 3 cloves garlic (either roasted or raw your preference)
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil loosely packed
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
Accompaniments:
  • Goat Cheese or Philadelphia Cream Cheese (optional)
  • Crackers
Instructions
  1. In a food processor place nuts, cranberries, garlic and basil.
  2. Pulse until well blended and chopped. Do not put on automatic, you do not want a puree.
  3. Then slowly add olive oil to get to a spreadable consistency.
  4. Taste spread and add salt and pepper to your preference.
  5. Take cracker and layer goat cheese then spread Cranberry Pistachio spread on top of cheese.
Recipe Notes

This spread is very versatile. It works as a sandwich spread with chicken or turkey. It also works tossed with pasta with crumbled goat cheese. You can add it to your roasted vegetables such as brussels sprouts or green beans right before serving.

Calorie Info Calculated for Spread Only:  

All recipe calorie information was calculated on what I purchased to make this recipe in My Fitness Pal. When you make the recipe, the calorie content could vary depending on what specific ingredients/brands you actually use. Please take that into consideration if you are following a strict diet.

Looking for a festive spread for the holidays? This Cranberry Pistachio spread is not only easy peasy, but bursting with flavor and just the thing for a simple appetizer. Spread it on your favorite cracker and it’s a mouthful of deliciousness. Looking for a festive spread for the holidays? This Cranberry Pistachio spread is not only easy peasy, but bursting with flavor and just the thing for a simple appetizer. Spread it on your favorite cracker and it’s a mouthful of deliciousness. www.westviamidwest.com

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Comments

  1. I took this dip to my Thanksgiving dinner and it was the “bomb”. I served it with whipped goat cheese and an assortment of crackers. Everyone loved it. So easy to make with a food processor, takes literally less then 5 minutes.

    Reply

  2. This is something I think my family and I would really like. When company is around, I love having things that I can give them to put a smile on their face. I think this is it.

    Reply

  3. This looks amazing and I love the flavor combination you’ve got goin’ on! My family will be enjoying this on our Thanksgiving this year!

    Reply

  6. I do not nearly include enough cranberries in my holiday appetizers – such an underrated flavour. Love this idea!

    Reply

  7. Love this!! My family always has some sort of cracker appetizer that we eat while waiting for Thanksgiving dinner. I’ll have to make this!

    Reply

  9. Oh my gosh, that looks so delicious! I normally don’t like pistachios that much, but in this recipe they look so yummy!

    Reply

  10. I normally don’t get into cranberries that much, but this sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe. 🙂

    Reply

  14. Goats cheese all the way and I adore cranberries so for me this is the perfect combination! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply

  16. These looks absolutely amazing! The perfect appetizer to have on the table when you are having company over for a holiday!

    Reply

  17. This seems like a great appetizer. I am allergic to pistachios so I couldn’t eat it. Looks easy to make though.

    Reply

  18. This sounds like a great appetizer! It’s always so important for appetizers to be easy too when you’re planning a party!

    Reply

  19. This is great – I love cranberries and add them to recipes here and there. But this spread is amazing I’m going to try it out!

    Reply

  20. This looks SO good! I would love to try this. It would make a perfect appetizer for any get together or party. Looks really good!

    Reply

  25. I just had something similar to this last weekend and was wondering how I could replicate it at home…and now I can!!! They look quite delicious!

    Reply

  26. This sounds delicious and like it would make the perfect treat around the holidays…maybe even to give as a gift!

    Reply

  30. What a lovely spread! Pistachios have such a delicious flavor, and I can only imagine they taste amazing in this spread. And so lovely for the holidays too!

    Reply

  31. This sounds fabulous! And I LOVE the idea of using goat cheese. Goat cheese and cranberries is one of my all time fave combos!

    Reply

  33. This spread looks so pretty and festive! Anything that combines cranberries and pistachios is always a hit in my books. I can totally see this dish being a big hit at a holiday potluck or cocktail party.

    Reply

  34. This sounds perfect for low-stress holiday entertaining. I love your idea of pairing this with roasted vegetables; lovely side dish!

    Reply

  38. This is the perfect holiday appetizer…or just regular snack. I’m not saying i snack this decadently but…I snack this decadently.

    Reply

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