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
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.
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.)
Try this simple Cranberry Pistachio Spread appetizer and let me know what you think!
More Fancy, but super easy Holiday Appetizers for entertaining:
- Spicy Cranberry Meatballs
- Cranberry Brie Cheese in Puff Pastry
- Buttery BBQ Shrimp
- Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Dip for Crackers
- Hot Crab Dip
- Stuffed Mushrooms
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- 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
- Goat Cheese or Philadelphia Cream Cheese (optional)
- Crackers
- In a food processor place nuts, cranberries, garlic and basil.
- Pulse until well blended and chopped. Do not put on automatic, you do not want a puree.
- Then slowly add olive oil to get to a spreadable consistency.
- Taste spread and add salt and pepper to your preference.
- Take cracker and layer goat cheese then spread Cranberry Pistachio spread on top of cheese.
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.
Jodee Kayton says
November 25, 2016 at 8:33 amI 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.
Michele says
November 28, 2016 at 4:59 pmI love the idea of whipped goat cheese! Im so glad it worked for your Thanksgiving! We had it too! ~m
Cynthia Landrie says
November 10, 2016 at 4:56 pmThis 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.
Michele says
November 28, 2016 at 5:04 pmThis is one of my most requested appetizers…. Im sure it would make your family happy too! ~m
Carrie Ditton says
November 8, 2016 at 10:24 amThis looks amazing and I love the flavor combination you’ve got goin’ on! My family will be enjoying this on our Thanksgiving this year!
markr356 says
November 8, 2016 at 7:22 amI love pistachios. I am going to have to try this spread…looks great.
Michele says
November 8, 2016 at 8:27 amPistachios just make me think holidays too. ~m
laineey says
November 8, 2016 at 5:30 amWow. This looks incredible! I can’t wait to try it.
Michele says
November 8, 2016 at 8:28 amLaineey “ It works really well with vegetables that you roast too. Like green beans or brussel sprouts! ~m
Taylor Stinson says
November 7, 2016 at 12:42 pmI do not nearly include enough cranberries in my holiday appetizers – such an underrated flavour. Love this idea!
bitesofflavor says
November 7, 2016 at 12:18 pmLove this!! My family always has some sort of cracker appetizer that we eat while waiting for Thanksgiving dinner. I’ll have to make this!
Hannah says
March 30, 2016 at 9:06 amI’ve never made anything like this before, but if it has cranberries in it I’m all in! I’ll definitely have to make this sometime
Jennifer Corter says
March 29, 2016 at 10:36 amOh my gosh, that looks so delicious! I normally don’t like pistachios that much, but in this recipe they look so yummy!
Michele says
March 31, 2016 at 5:39 pm😉
HilLesha says
March 28, 2016 at 7:01 pmI normally don’t get into cranberries that much, but this sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe. 🙂
CourtneyLynne says
March 28, 2016 at 2:22 pmOmg how yummy!!!! I will definitely be giving this a pin so I can give it a try myself!
Kiwi says
March 28, 2016 at 1:42 amWow this is an interesting combo! Looks good.
Mariah says
March 27, 2016 at 2:54 pmOhhhh I know someone who would love this! Looks so tasty!
Michele says
March 31, 2016 at 5:39 pm🙂
Ana De- Jesus says
March 27, 2016 at 1:34 pmGoats cheese all the way and I adore cranberries so for me this is the perfect combination! I can’t wait to try it!
Heather says
March 27, 2016 at 3:05 amWhat an interesting combination! I love pistachios, I am going to have to try this sometime!
Debra says
March 26, 2016 at 7:59 pmThese looks absolutely amazing! The perfect appetizer to have on the table when you are having company over for a holiday!
karissa says
March 26, 2016 at 7:52 pmThis seems like a great appetizer. I am allergic to pistachios so I couldn’t eat it. Looks easy to make though.
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt says
March 26, 2016 at 6:40 pmThis sounds like a great appetizer! It’s always so important for appetizers to be easy too when you’re planning a party!
dani cc says
March 26, 2016 at 3:49 pmThis 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!
Jeanine says
March 26, 2016 at 11:44 amThis looks SO good! I would love to try this. It would make a perfect appetizer for any get together or party. Looks really good!
Michele says
March 26, 2016 at 3:00 pmThanks Jeanine! ~m
Dawn says
March 26, 2016 at 11:33 amThis sounds so delicious. I love pistachios, and I bet they taste delicious with cranberries.
Michele says
March 26, 2016 at 3:00 pm🙂
jill conyers says
March 26, 2016 at 5:06 amI’m sure I could eat an entire bowl of this. The combination of flavors sound wonderful.
Stacey says
March 25, 2016 at 9:26 pmThis sounds delicious! I am pinning for my next party!
Logan says
March 25, 2016 at 6:36 pmThis looks so delicious! Those crackers sound really good, too! I love anything with cranberries!
Julie @ Girl on the Move says
March 25, 2016 at 5:54 pmI 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!
Michele says
March 26, 2016 at 3:01 pmI hope you enjoy them Julie! ~m
Kait says
March 25, 2016 at 5:34 pmThis sounds delicious and like it would make the perfect treat around the holidays…maybe even to give as a gift!
Cristina says
March 25, 2016 at 4:59 pmOh wow. So simple yet so yummy. Definitely worth a try .. I think it would go great with goat cheese!
Blythe A. says
March 25, 2016 at 3:43 pmI love the idea of adding this to a turkey sandwich. This makes a great appetizer or spread.
Tina Marie says
March 9, 2016 at 6:33 amThis looks and sound delicious! What a great way to start out an evening!
Paige @ Where Latin Meets Lagniappe says
November 27, 2015 at 3:31 amWhat 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!
WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says
November 30, 2015 at 9:14 amI love that pistachios are green when you chop them so they add a festive look for the holidays too! ~m
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
November 24, 2015 at 7:51 pmThis sounds fabulous! And I LOVE the idea of using goat cheese. Goat cheese and cranberries is one of my all time fave combos!
WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says
November 30, 2015 at 9:17 amI agree… cranberries and pistachios are one of my favorite combos too! ~m
Sarah says
November 23, 2015 at 5:00 pmWhat a creative and delicious spread. Perfect for the holidays!
Isabelle @ Crumb says
November 22, 2015 at 3:50 pmThis 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.
WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says
November 22, 2015 at 5:13 pmThats funny you say that, I just made some to take to a potluck tomorrow! ~m
Amanda {Striped Spatula} says
November 21, 2015 at 3:50 pmThis sounds perfect for low-stress holiday entertaining. I love your idea of pairing this with roasted vegetables; lovely side dish!
Sandra @ Heavenly Home Cooking says
November 21, 2015 at 1:44 pmI love it! Great idea for a recipe and perfect for the season!
WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says
November 22, 2015 at 5:13 pmThanks Sandra! I do love cranberries especially this time of year….in EVERYTHING!!
Sara - The Organic Dietitian says
November 20, 2015 at 1:25 pmWhat a great holiday appetizer. I’m loving the cranberries with pistachio!
WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says
November 20, 2015 at 7:33 pmThank you…It is kind of a marriage made in heaven!! ~m
Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine says
November 20, 2015 at 12:35 pmYum! Looks/sounds delicious! Gotta give it a try.
WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says
November 20, 2015 at 7:33 pmLet me know what you think! ~m
Matthew From Nomageddon says
November 20, 2015 at 12:05 pmThis is the perfect holiday appetizer…or just regular snack. I’m not saying i snack this decadently but…I snack this decadently.
WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says
November 20, 2015 at 7:34 pm….. I like the idea of snacking decadently!! ~m
CN says
November 19, 2015 at 8:44 pmI’m hungry now‼️
WESTVIAMIDWEST.COM says
November 19, 2015 at 10:57 pmI must admit, they are pretty delicious! ~m