Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe - Home. Made. Interest. (2024)

Fresh Cranberry Salsa is an easy holiday appetizer that is a little sweet, and a little spicy. Perfect for serving at holiday parties with crisp tortilla chips or crackers!

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe - Home. Made. Interest. (1)

This fresh cranberry salsa recipe is one of my favorite easy holiday appetizers that can be made ahead of time which really helps when you have a busy holiday schedule.

Game nights are big in our family, and it always involves chips and salsa. During the holidays, we give it a little holiday twist with fresh cranberries and spicy jalapeños.

We like to eat it with tortilla chips, but it’s also great with any variety of crackers and your cheese of choice. We add it to our Cranberry Goat Cheese Log to make a beautiful party appetizer.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Fresh Cranberries– These tart berries are used throughout the holidays, and they are the star of this salsa. You’ll add a little sugar to them to help sweeten them up before mixing with your spicy ingredients.
  • Jalapeños– You can tone down the spiciness of these jalapeno peppers by removing the white ribs and seeds if you don’t’ want it too spicy. They add the perfect amount of heat to the sweetened cranberries.
  • Cilantro & Green Onions– Cilantro is a must for any salsa and paired with the green onions, they add a burst of fresh flavor.
  • Orange & Lime Juice– The addition of citrus brightens the whole dish and brings all the flavors of the salsa together!
  • Chips or Crackers – Pick your favorite for dipping.

Love cranberries as much as we do? Try adding cranberry sweet potato casserole , cranberry buckle , or the always popular cranberry fluff to your holiday spread.

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Instructions

Step 1- Chop cranberries – Add cranberries to your food processor and pulse until they are diced into small pieces. Don’t puree them. You want to have some little pieces of cranberries to maintain that salsa texture.

Step 2 – Sugar cranberries – Sprinkle cranberries with sugar and stir together.

Step 3 – Add remaining ingredients – Add finely diced jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, orange juice, and lime juice. Stir until fully mixed.

Step 4 – Let salsa sit – Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors combine.

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Can Fresh Cranberries be Eaten Uncooked?

Yes! Uncooked cranberries are very healthy. However, they taste extremely bitter, which is why we dust them with sugar and let them sit for at least half an hour.

How Long Does Cranberry Salsa Last in the Fridge?

If stored properly, cranberry salsa will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator. It may begin to release some extra juices over that time. If it is waterier than you like, you can drain off the excess juice before serving.

What is the Best Way to Freeze Fresh Cranberries?

It can be hard to find fresh cranberries all year long so we often buy several bags of them during the peak season (Mid-September – Mid-November in the US) and freeze them for use other times of the year.

To freeze fresh cranberries start by washing them well and then patting dry to remove any excess water.

Place the cranberries in a gallon freezer bag and spread them out to flatten them as much as possible. Remove as much air from the bag as possible and seal it.

Place the bag in the freezer and freeze your cranberries for up to 6 months.

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Serving Suggestions

We recommend serving this salsa with tortilla chips or wheat or Ritz crackers.

If you want to punch it up a bit, you can also serve it over top of a block of cream cheese.Try adding it to our cranberry goat cheese log for delicious cheese spread for bread and crackers.

This salsa is also a great addition to your Thanksgiving leftovers.We add it to our amazing turkey and cranberry panini the day after Thanksgiving.

Can Cranberry Salsa be Frozen?

Yes! Cranberry salsa can be frozen and thawed out to serve at a later time. Make the salsa according to the instructions and then pour it into a gallon freezer bag and spread out so it is flat.

Place in the freezer and freeze for up to 2 months.

Before using, let the salsa thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving.

How to Store It

Store your salsa in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.Serve straight out of the fridge.

Store your salsa in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 2 months.Let thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving.

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Looking for More Cranberry Recipes?

  • Cranberry orange bread
  • Cranberry Jello salad
  • White chocolate oatmeal cranberry cookies
  • Cranberry Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Cranberry Buckle
  • Cranberry Goat Cheese Log
  • Creamy Cranberry Salad {Cranberry Fluff}
  • Cranberry Fluff Cheesecake Bites

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Servings: 10

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Resting Time: 30 minutes mins

Fresh Cranberry Salsa

Fresh Cranberry Salsa is an easy holiday appetizer that is a little sweet, and a little spicy. Perfect for serving at holiday parties with crisp tortilla chips!

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe - Home. Made. Interest. (7)

Print Recipe

4.90 from 28 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 bag Mission® Strips Tortilla Chips
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 jalapeños, ribs and seeds removed, minced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup green onions, finely sliced
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed

Instructions

  • Add cranberries to your food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Do not puree you want to have small pieces of cranberry.

  • Place the chopped cranberries in a bowl and add the sugar, stirring to combine.

  • Add jalapenos, cilantro, green onions, orange juice, and lime juice. Stir to combine.

  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors combine.

  • Serve withMission Strips Tortilla Chips and enjoy!

Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.

Author: Kat Jeter & Melinda Caldwell

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cranberry appetizer, cranberry relish, cranberry salsa, holiday appetizer

Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe - Home. Made. Interest. (8)
Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe - Home. Made. Interest. (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.

Why won't my cranberry sauce set? ›

One possibility is that you may not have used enough sugar: Sugar helps the sauce firm up, so be sure to use the full amount called for in a recipe. Another possibility is that the cranberries need to boil for longer, releasing their pectin and ensuring a jelly consistency.

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

Was your cranberry sauce cooked or fresh? If cooked then the time to add more sugar was during the cooking time. If it was a fresh ground sauce and not cooked then add sugar and orange juice and simmer to dissolve the sugar. You can taste as you go but be careful not to burn your mouth on the hot sugar.

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.

How do you know if cranberry sauce has gone bad? ›

Signs of spoilage include cans that are leaking, rusting, bulging, or severely dented. If the top of the can is rounded instead of flat, the cranberry sauce has most likely gone bad. If you open the can and anything is brown or black, throw the cranberry sauce away without a second thought.

Can homemade salsa go bad? ›

Yes, all salsa can (and eventually will) go bad if you let it hang around too long or don't store it properly. Take the top off your salsa—if you notice a weird odor, visible mold, or if the salsa has darkened in color, it's probably time to toss it.

What thickens cranberry sauce? ›

The sauce will thicken as it cools. If you want a cranberry mold that holds its shape, continue to boil the mixture so that more pectin is released from the fruit, additional water evaporates, and the sauce becomes thick enough to set into a firm gel.

How to improve 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.

Why does my homemade cranberry sauce taste bitter? ›

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.

How do you tame tartness in cranberry sauce? ›

Anything from a drizzle of honey to agave, maple syrup, or molasses will also fare well. After a few minutes of maceration, the sour fruit juices will mix with the sugar and alleviate some of the cranberries' natural tartness.

Are you supposed to melt cranberry sauce? ›

It's perfectly fine to serve up cranberry sauce — whole berry or jelled — straight out of the can. But in my experience, heating the canned sauce up takes its flavor to the next level. Plus, it becomes a little more aesthetically pleasing.

Why does my homemade sauce taste bitter? ›

Leaf states that this can be due to burning the sauce in the pot or simply dealing with a batch of produce that are overly acidic or metallic from canning or cooking. This can also come from under-ripe or low-quality tomatoes, as well as stirring in a hefty amount of tomato paste, per Boss The Kitchen.

What if I put too much water in my cranberry sauce? ›

If you inadvertently added too much water, simply bring the cranberry sauce back to the stove top and bring it to a low boil, cooking it down just a bit to help thicken it up.

Does homemade cranberry sauce thicken when it cools? ›

Reduce heat to a low boil and cook for 10 minutes, until the berries have all burst. Remove from heat. Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.

Why does my cranberry sauce have seeds all? ›

Why is my cranberry sauce so seedy? Cranberries do have seeds inside them. Sometimes, when using frozen cranberries, if it does not cook long enough, the seeds may not break down. This can cause the sauce to taste seedy.

How long can you keep cranberry salsa in the fridge? ›

If stored properly, cranberry salsa will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator. It may begin to release some extra juices over that time. If it is waterier than you like, you can drain off the excess juice before serving.

How long can you preserve homemade salsa? ›

Or, make your FAMOUS salsa and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze it for up to one year. Freezing will certainly affect the texture of your fresh salsa, so test out a small portion first to see if you like it.

How long does fresh homemade salsa last? ›

Shelf Life of Salsas:

Homemade salsa generally lasts for 3-7 days in the fridge. Store-bought salsa lasts up to 2 weeks after opening if refrigerated properly. An unopened jar of store-bought salsa can last up to a year without refrigeration.

How long will homemade cranberry chutney last in the fridge? ›

Make-Ahead/Freezing Instructions: The chutney will keep for 10 days in a covered container in the refrigerator, or can be frozen for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

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