Every time we bring this dish to a gathering, it disappears almost as quickly as it’s served. It’s that irresistible! It’s perfect for holiday parties when fresh cranberries are in season. It’s not your traditional salsa, but this version delivers a burst of flavor with cranberries, freshly grated ginger, and spicy jalapeños.
You may also be interested in our jalapeno cranberry sauce or go sweet with our cranberry fluff.
Why Our Recipe
- A holiday favorite where cranberries are the star of the show and everybody will be asking for the recipe.
- Quick and easy to prepare in just about 15 minutes and perfect for a holiday potluck or party appetizer.
- Serve it as a dip with tortilla chips, or serve it over softened cream cheese with crackers.
Serve it as a colorful dip with tortilla chips, or spoon it over softened cream cheese with crackers for an easy yet impressive party appetizer. Whether you’re hosting a holiday potluck or need a last-minute dish, this cranberry salsa will steal the show and have everyone asking for the recipe!
Ingredient Notes
- Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are typically sold in 12-ounce bags and are widely available in the fall and holiday season.
- Green Onions: Slice them thinly for even distribution.
- Jalapeños: Removing the seeds and membranes will tone down the heat, while leaving them in keeps the salsa spicier. For a milder option, start with one jalapeño and taste before adding more.
- Fresh Cilantro Leaves: Chop the leaves finely and avoid using too much of the stems. If you’re not a cilantro fan, you can substitute with parsley for a milder herb flavor.
- Fresh Ginger: Use a fine hand grater to easily peel and grate the ginger. If you don’t have fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger can be used as a substitute, but the flavor won’t be as bright.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed will have the best flavor. Bottled is a bit more muted and bitter.
- Granulated Sugar: Sugar is essential for balancing the tartness of the cranberries. If you prefer a slightly less sweet version, reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup, but keep in mind the cranberries will remain very tart.
Prepping Cranberries
Fresh cranberries are commonly sold in the grocery store in 12-ounce packages. They are most often found in the fall right after the cranberry harvest. When working with fresh cranberries, rinse them under cold water. Run your fingers through the cranberries and pick out any that are soft or mushy. Rinse the cranberries again and proceed to use them in your recipe.
If you would like to use frozen cranberries, you will need to thaw them completely before using them. We highly recommend fresh cranberries rather than frozen in this recipe, because thawed frozen cranberries will be a bit mushier.
Serving Suggestions
This cranberry salsa can be served in several ways and it’s hard to pick a favorite!
Classic Chips and Salsa: Serve it with tortilla chips for an appetizer that’s perfect for any gathering.
Over Cream Cheese: Spoon it over softened cream cheese and pair it with Ritz crackers, Wheat Thins, or sliced baguette.
As a Topping: Use this salsa as a topping for grilled chicken, turkey, or pork to add a sweet and spicy burst of flavor.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
More holiday appetizers…
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
Can you use frozen cranberries or is it better to have them fresh?
Fresh are better as frozen tend to be mushy.
I used frozen and it came out fine. Just be sure to not let them thaw before putting in the food processor.
I served this with Fritos scoops it was a big hit!
I just finished making this recipe, it’s chilling in the frig. Oh my goodness!!!! It smells so delicious and is so beautiful. Very easy to make. The colors will add vibrancy to our Christmas appetizer table. I think this is the best recipe I’ve ever gotten online.
Thank you!!
This was a huge hit. They say 2 jalapeño peppers but the size should be kept in mind. I like the lemon flavor but some add lime. I actually added an orange the third time I made it and loved it and I put everything through my food grinder on medium. Great recipe!
A friend bought this dish to our Christmas Party. It was an immediate hit. Fresh, tasty and healthy. .
There was a lot of “juice” after it sat for a few hours. Is this normal? It was annoying around the cream cheese. I would have strained it if I had anticipated the problem. Otherwise, good.
Yes, just like other salsas there is a liquid element.
Best recipe! I make it every year for many occasions and definite crowd pleaser!
I absolutely love this salsa!!! Was still good 3-4 days after making and maybe longer if it wasn’t all gone. Will now try the jalapeno cranberry sauce recipe.
Great over cream cheese and served with crackers, but also on the day after Thanksgiving leftover sandwich!
This all sounds good, especially if newsletters come once weekly, not daily. Looking forward to following what looks to be a solid site. Love the comment section, very helpful hints as well as comments can be read before making, thus avoiding a negative that could have been avoided before wasting all of the ingredients and the time involved in putting the whole recipe together.