This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.
This fresh Cranberry Salsa recipe is easy, delicious, and pretty. It will become your favorite go to appetizer for holiday parties.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Easy and Festive! This recipe is always on repeat during the holidays for several reasons It is so easy to make and literally comes together in 10 minutes and the red and green color is perfect for the holidays.
Make Ahead. During the holidays it is always nice to have a recipe that can be made a day or two ahead. Cranberry Salsa can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavor is actually better after it sits in the fridge a while.
Delicious. Most importantly, cranberry salsa is delicious. The flavor combination of cranberries and cilantro is amazing! It can be served all on it’s on with crackers or chips, as a condiment with meat or over a block of cream cheese with crackers.
Ingredients Needed
- Cranberries, fresh whole cranberries. You will find these in the produce section, usually in a 12 oz bag.
- Cilantro
- Green Onions
- Sugar
- Limes
- Cumin
- Jalapeno
- Cream Cheese, room temperature
- Crackers
How to Make Cranberry Salsa
- Wash and drain the cranberries and remove any rstems that may still be attached.
- Place the cranberries, green onion, jalapeno and cilantro in a food processor and add in sugar, cumin and lime juice.
- Pulse to chop up the ingredients and combine.
- Chill the salsa until ready to serve.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Don’t over chop the cranberries with the food processor. You want a rough chop.
- Make the salsa ahead of time so it has at least an hour to chill in the refrigerator. It gives the flavors a chance to come together.
- Serve salsa it in a bowl and add some tortilla chips or, my favorite way to serve it, pour salsa over a brick of cream cheese and eat with crackers. I like to use water crackers but you could also use Ritz crackers, Wheat Thins or your favorite cracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will cranberry salsa keep?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 3-4 days for best results.
The salsa can also be frozen. Let it come to room temperature in the fridge before serving.
Can I make this with frozen cranberries?
You can but it will definitely have a different texture. The frozen cranberries will be soft when they thaw and the salsa will have a softer texture. I much prefer fresh cranberries but if all you have is frozen be sure to thaw them first.
Can I make this without a food processor?
You can chop everything by hand if you don’t have a food processor. Just be sure to chop everything up small.
How spicy is cranberry salsa?
The jalapeno adds just a mild bit of spiciness to the salsa. The seeds of the pepper are what add the heat so if you don’t want much heat, be sure to clean out all the seeds before chopping.
Check out more of my favorite appetizers:
Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.
Cranberry Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 2 green onions
- jalapeno pepper seeded
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 limes juice of two limes
- 1/4 tsp cumin powder add up to 1/2 tsp depending on taste
Instructions
- Wash cranberries and remove any stems.
- Remove seeds and stem from jalapeno pepper.
- Place cranberries, cilantro, green onions, jalapeno, sugar, cumin and lime juice in food processor and pulse to chop.
- Place mixture in a bowl and chill for an hour in the refrigerator.
- Serve over cream cheese or just with chips
- Also would be yummy as a side sauce with turkey, pork or chicken
Tips & Notes:
- Don’t over chop the cranberries with the food processor. You want a rough chop.
- Make the salsa ahead of time so it has at least an hour to chill in the refrigerator. It gives the flavors a chance to come together.
- You can serve it in a bowl and add some tortilla chips, but my favorite way to serve it is over a brick of cream cheese with crackers. I like to use water crackers but you could also use Ritz crackers, Wheat Thins or your favorite cracker.
Cindy says
I love this recipie. This is my appetizer for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Cindy Sandhu says
I love this recipie. This is my appetizer for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Kelly says
Amazing! Delicious! My favorite Holiday appetizer. I add 2 jalapenos and that just takes it to the next level.
Vickie says
Our whole family loves this stuff!!!!
Denise says
The blog says green onion but they aren’t listed in recipe. How much green onion should we add? Thanks!
Leigh Anne says
Sorry about that – some how that ingredient disappeared, will fix the recipe, it’s 2 green onions