Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe | Sweet & Spicy Holiday Dish
on Nov 20, 2024
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This zesty Cranberry Salsa is made with fresh cranberries, jalapeños, and cream cheese in just 15 minutes making it the perfect appetizer or side for holiday entertaining and special meals!
Did you know that Americans consume over 400 million pounds of cranberries each year? While most end up as sauce, this vibrant cranberry salsa recipe offers an exciting twist on the traditional holiday favorite!
I’ll show you how this fresh, spicy-sweet dip comes together in just 15 minutes using simple ingredients. Perfect for everything from casual game days to elegant Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings! Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or bringing a dish to share, this vibrant dip is guaranteed to impress.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Salsa Recipe
- Quick & Easy: it’s ridiculously easy to make. I’m talking 15 minutes max, and most of that time is just letting your food processor do the work.
- Crowd Pleaser: The combo of tart cranberries, spicy jalapeños, and creamy cheese creates this amazing flavor explosion that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe.
- Make Ahead: The best part? You can totally prep this ahead of time. I’ve found that making the salsa mixture a day before actually helps the flavors develop even better. Just keep the cream cheese and salsa separate until you’re ready to serve.
🎄 I always have a cranberry-flavored dish at each Thanksgiving & Christmas holiday meal, and these are always completely devoured!
Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries
- Sugar
- Fresh jalapeño
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onions
- Lime
- Salt
- Cream cheese
- Ginger, optional
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Cranberry Salsa
Step 1: Gather the ingredients and let the cream cheese start softening if you plan to serve this dish soon.
Step 2: In a food processor, combine the fresh cranberries, sugar, jalapeño, cilantro, green onions, lime juice, salt, and dried ginger (if using).
Step 3: Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and well combined.
Step 4: Let the salsa sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Then, place it in a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and gently press to remove any excess liquid.
Step 5: Spread the softened cream cheese blocks onto a serving platter or place them side by side for a thicker dip. Smooth them out with a spatula if desired.
Step 6: Spoon the drained cranberry salsa mixture over the cream cheese, spreading it evenly. Serve with crackers.
Recipe Variations
Turn up the heat: If you are serving this dish to some serious spicy food lovers, then don’t be afraid to use more of the jalapeño seeds or even the whole thing!
To make it even less spicy, don’t use any seeds and only use part of the jalapeno to get the flavor but not too much heat.
Seasonal adaptations: This can become a warm-weather appetizer just by changing out the cranberries to another berry or fruit.
Try blueberries, blackberries, or even a pitted fruit, such as peaches or nectarines. So summer refreshing!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can prepare the cranberry mixture up to 24 hours in advance. Store it separately from the cream cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Drain any excess liquid just before serving, then spread over the cream cheese. This actually helps the flavors develop better.
Fresh cranberries work best for this recipe as they provide the ideal texture and tartness. While frozen cranberries can work in a pinch, they tend to release more liquid and may result in a slightly mushier texture. If using frozen, thaw and drain them thoroughly before processing, and expect to strain out more liquid.
The recipe as written provides a mild to medium heat level. The heat comes from the jalapeño – for a milder version, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapeño or use only half. For more heat, leave in some seeds or use a whole jalapeño with seeds. You can always taste and adjust before adding more heat.
Expert Tips
- Master the Texture: Pulse the food processor in short bursts rather than running it continuously. You want the cranberries finely chopped but not pureed. Aim for pieces about the size of small peas – this creates the perfect salsa texture while preventing the mixture from becoming too watery.
- Perfect the Draining Technique: After processing, let the mixture sit in a fine-mesh strainer for 10-15 minutes, occasionally pressing gently with a spatula. Don’t press too hard or you’ll lose the texture – you just want to remove excess liquid. Place a bowl underneath to catch the juice.
- Temperature Control Matters: For the smoothest cream cheese layer, soften it properly by leaving it at room temperature for 1 hour. Speed up the process by cutting the cream cheese into cubes. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the texture uneven and greasy.
- Balance Your Flavors: Taste and adjust the sugar content after processing but before draining. Fresh cranberries can vary in tartness throughout the season. Start with the recommended amount of sugar, then add more in 1 tablespoon increments if needed. Remember, the cream cheese will help balance the tartness too.
Serving & Presentation Ideas
When it comes to serving this cranberry salsa, presentation is key to making it a standout appetizer.
For the Base: I like to spread the softened cream cheese on a festive platter or shallow dish, creating a nice base about 1/2 inch thick.
Great Dippers: Sturdy crackers like Wheat Thins, Triscuits, or water crackers work best since they can handle the weight of the topping.
Festive Presentation: For an extra festive touch, try arranging the dip in the shape of a wreath using a ring mold, or garnish with fresh herb sprigs and pomegranate seeds.
One of my favorite presentation tricks is using a glass serving dish that shows off the beautiful layers – the white cream cheese topped with that vibrant red cranberry mixture creates a stunning holiday display that guests can’t resist!
Make Ahead Tips
To make this dish party-perfect, prepare the cranberry mixture up to 24 hours ahead, but assemble just before guests arrive, giving the cream cheese about 30 minutes to come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Remember to let the flavors meld for the best taste, and don’t forget to drain the salsa before serving over cream cheese!
Other Festive Cranberry Recipes to Try
More Holiday Recipes to Consider
Pies, Crisps & Tarts
Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Pies, Crisps & Tarts
Homemade Coconut Cream Pie
Pies, Crisps & Tarts
Homemade Chocolate Cream Pie
From Scratch Recipes
Watergate Salad Recipe
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Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (leave some seeds for extra heat, if desired)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 green onions, roughly chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of dried ginger, optional
- 2 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the fresh cranberries, sugar, jalapeño, cilantro, green onions, lime juice, salt, and dried ginger (if using). Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and well combined.
- Let the salsa sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Then, place it in a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and gently press to remove any excess liquid. This step prevents the salsa from becoming too watery when served.
- Spread the softened cream cheese blocks onto a serving platter or place them side by side for a thicker dip. Smooth them out with a spatula if desired.
- Spoon the drained cranberry salsa mixture over the cream cheese, spreading it evenly.
- Serve immediately with your favorite crackers, such as Wheat Thins, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Allow it to come to room temperature for the best flavor.
Notes
- The cranberry salsa can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Drain it just before serving for the freshest presentation. Store the salsa mixture and the cream cheese separately.
- Adjust the heat by adding more jalapeño or leaving in the seeds. For a milder flavor, use less jalapeño or omit entirely.
- Add a touch of orange zest or juice for a citrusy twist, or sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top for extra flair.
- Taste and adjust the sugar content after processing but before draining. Fresh cranberries can vary in tartness throughout the season. Start with the recommended amount of sugar, then add more in 1 tablespoon increments if needed.
