Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy (2024)

Updated: By Katie Crenshaw 18 Comments

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This 5 minute cranberry salsa recipe is made with cranberries, cilantro, granny smith apples, jalapeño, and sugar for a sweet and spicy combination.

Dip it with tortilla chips or serve it over cream cheese with Ritz crackers for an easy holiday appetizer.

The unique flavors also compliment chicken or fish tacos.

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy (1)

It is that time of year for cranberry season and those pretty, bright little cranberries are perfect to make salsa with!

My recipe is a little different from the traditional salsa recipes. The simple ingredients create a salsa that is a little sweet, a little tart, a little spicy, and a lot of GOOD!

Make it for your next holiday party. Your guests will love this easy appetizer!

Watch how to make

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy (2)

Ingredients

You will need the following fresh ingredients to make homemade cranberry jalapeno salsa.

  • fresh whole cranberries
  • sugar-I use white sugar. You can substitute with honey.
  • green onions
  • fresh lime juice
  • jalapeños- I like fresh jalapeño peppers but you can substitute with the pickled jalapeños.
  • fresh orange juice-Adds a citrus sweet flavor without adding more tartness or additional sugar.
  • fresh cilantro
  • Granny Smith Apple-Traditional recipes use a full cup of sugar. I use less sugar and add the Granny Smith Apple for extra sweetness. It also adds a nice texture. You can substitute with your favorite apple.
  • Fresh Garlic-The garlic balances some of the sweetness and adds a bit of savory to the salsa. I recommend fresh garlic, but you can substitute with garlic powder.

(*Full recipe with ingredient measurements is located at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.)

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy (3)

Steps

The best thing about the Cranberry Salsa (other than it tastes so darn good) is it is made in literally 5 minutes. Follow these easy steps to make this tasty fruit salsa.

  1. Juice lime and orange. Core and quarter Granny Smith Apple.
  2. In a food processor, add all of the ingredients. Pulse until finely chopped. Salt to taste.

You can serve it immediately, but it is best to let it set in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to build.

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy (4)

Do you like it hot or mild?

Note: This is a spicy cranberry salsa. For hot salsa, follow the recipe as written. For a milder salsa, use less jalapeños and remove the seed.

How do you store it?

Cranberry salsa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 7 days.

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy (5)

Cream cheese appetizer

This festive cranberry salsa is delicious by itself, but it is also nice on top of a block of cream cheese. Serving it over cream cheese also makes it a great addition for your holiday entertaining.

It is also delicious served over goat cheese and brie.

With all the preparations for the holiday season going on, isn't it nice to have an easy recipe to have on hand? You are welcome! xoxo

For Moreof my Favorite Holiday Appetizer Recipes, Try:

  • Marinated Cheese Tray
  • Port Wine Cheese Ball
  • Italian Marinated Mushrooms
  • Asparagus Roll Ups
  • Bacon Crackers
  • Pimento Olive Cheese Spread
  • Fire and Ice Pickles

When you make this recipe, tell me what you think in the comment section!I would love to hear back! My readers will too.

Also post your picture of your cranberry salsa onInstagramorFacebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags!I will share with my followers! xoxo!

Recipe

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy (6)

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy

This 5 minute cranberry salsa recipe is made with cranberries, cilantro, granny smith apples, jalapeño, and sugar for a sweet and spicy combination. Dip it with tortilla chips or serve it over cream cheese for a flavorful holiday appetizer.

Print Pin Save Recipe Rate

Course: Appetizer, Sauce, Snack

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 81kcal

Author: Katie Crenshaw

Equipment

  • food processor

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1 Granny Smith apple
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 3 green onions
  • 1 cup or large bunch of cilantro remove any long stems
  • 3 jalapeños
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 lime
  • 1 orange
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Core and quarter Granny Smith Apple. Juice lime and orange. Cut off the tops of the jalapeños. Add to food processor.

    1 Granny Smith apple, 1 lime, 1 orange, 3 jalapeños

  • Add remaining ingredients to food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.

    12 ounces fresh cranberries, ¾ cup sugar, 3 green onions, 1 cup or large bunch of cilantro, 3 garlic cloves

  • Salt to taste.

    salt to taste

  • You can serve immediately, but it is best to store in refrigerator 4 hours or more to allow flavors to fully build.

Video

Notes

Note:For hot salsa, follow the recipe as written.For a milder salsa, use less jalapeños and remove the seeds.

Nutrition- Nutrition info is based on estimation only.

Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Vitamin C: 17.4mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Tried this recipe? I want to see it!Mention @aForksTale or tag #aForksTale!

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Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade cranberry salsa last? ›

Homemade cranberry sauce will last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days. Canned cranberry sauce that has been opened will last up to a week in the fridge.

How do you take the bitterness out of homemade cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries. Start with a little, then add more gradually. It's easy to overdo it when in comes to bold vinegars.

Is cranberry sauce supposed to be sweet? ›

Cranberry sauce is supposed to be a balance of sweet and tart. The sauce acts as a cleansing port in a tumultuous storm of fat and salt, but the effect is lost if the sauce is too sweet. Luckily, there is a very easy way to fix an over-sugared homemade sauce: You just need a little citric acid.

How to jazz up cranberry sauce? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

Can I freeze homemade cranberry sauce? ›

Yes, you can freeze homemade cranberry sauce—and it works well. It's best to store it in the freezer for up to 3 months; the taste may be affected due to its water content if frozen longer. Keep this in mind when putting away your leftover sauce and use it during this optimal period as part of an easy weeknight dinner.

How long does homemade salsa last in mason jar in fridge? ›

An open jar of store-bought salsa lasts about 2–4 weeks in the fridge, but you should always check for signs of mold, fuzz, funky smells, and any other signs that something is awry before diving in. If you make your own salsa, it'll stay good for just five to seven days in the fridge.

How do I thicken my homemade cranberry sauce? ›

Try reducing the sauce down even further so more of the liquid cooks off and the mixture thickens. If that doesn't work, add a thickener like gelatin, pectin or a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch whisked into juice or water). Let the sauce cool before refrigerating to completely set.

Are fresh cranberries healthy? ›

Cranberries are a good source of certain vitamins and minerals, as well as several unique plant compounds that may help prevent UTIs, stomach cancer, and heart disease. Cranberries are a member of the heather family and related to blueberries, bilberries, and lingonberries.

Why does my cranberry sauce have a bitter aftertaste? ›

Dear Evelyn: I had the same problem when I first started making my own cranberry sauce. I found out that you should cook them just until they pop. Further cooking will make them bitter, and once that happens, you need to start again.

What are the two types of cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce can be served either as a gooey liquid or as a solid jelly. The jellied version is solid enough to retain the shape of the container in which it's placed whereas the sauce version is much more fluid. The difference between the fluid sauce and the jelly versions comes down to pectin.

How do you fix cranberry sauce that is too sweet? ›

My cranberry sauce is too sweet now that I taste it. How do I fix it? Add a splash of red wine or apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt to lessen sweetness.

What's the healthiest cranberry juice? ›

Opt for one with 100% pure cranberry juice and no "added sugars" on the nutrition label. This is different from the naturally occurring sugars from the fruit which will be present in the juice.

How do you cut the tartness out of cranberry sauce? ›

"Resist adding granulated sugar—you won't get the full effect unless you reheat the sauce and the sugar dissolves," writes Kelsey Kloss. "Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste.

Why is my homemade cranberry sauce runny? ›

Mistake #2: Your Cranberry Sauce Is Too Runny

You may have added too much liquid to the cranberries. In addition to pectin, cranberries contain water, which means you only need to add a splash of liquid to get the cooking going. Add too much and you'll be stirring at the stove much longer than expected.

Should cranberry sauce be served hot or cold? ›

Is cranberry sauce supposed to be hot or cold? Either! Some prefer to have it served fresh and warm, straight out of the pot, while others need it completely cooled down to enjoy the flavours. Personally, we prefer cooled sauce.

How long will homemade cranberry sauce last in refrigerator? ›

Properly stored, homemade cranberry sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 10 to 14 days. If you'd like to keep it for longer than that, pour the sauce into covered airtight containers or freezer-safe bags and freeze.

Why does salsa only last 3 days? ›

Bacteria can grow that you probably won't be able to taste to tell you that it's gone bad, but it could still make you sick. This is for commercially prepared salsa; fresh made salsa usually won't last more than just a few days. It depends on how large the jar of salsa is.

How long will fresh cranberries last in the refrigerator? ›

Fresh cranberries are usually good stored in the refrigerator for two weeks. If kept longer, you will find a gradual deterioration of quality with more soft or bruised berries. Berries can be stored in the original packaging in the refrigerator crisper for up to four weeks.

How long does a jar of cranberry sauce last? ›

Unopened canned cranberry sauce can last a year in the pantry but make sure to check the "best before" date to make sure it hasn't expired, and once open, it can be stored in a container with a tightly fitting lid for up to two weeks.

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