Cranberry Salsa Recipe with Fresh Cranberries

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This cranberry salsa recipe made with fresh cranberries is a delicious holiday appetizer the whole crowd will love! Serve it just with chips or over a brick of cream cheese for an amazing flavor combination for Thanksgiving or Christmas. You’ll love how quick this blender salsa comes together using fresh ingredients!

Cranberry Salsa Ingredients

This cranberry salsa is delicious with plenty of fresh ingredients. You’ll need one 12 oz bag of fresh cranberries, just under 4 cups to make this recipe. Most salsa recipes also include cilantro and this one is no exception. But don’t worry, even if you think cilantro tastes like soap (like me) you’ll probably still love this salsa as the flavor is muted by all the other ingredients.

I chopped up three green onions and two jalapenos. Unfortunately they weren’t very strong peppers so I ended up with still a rather mild salsa. I recommend testing the hotness so you can get the right level of heat for you.

Fresh ginger, lime juice and orange zest gives this salsa a refreshing flavor that pairs so well with the cranberries. I love thinking beyond tomatoes for salsa. This fruit salsa with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries is another easy appetizer or dessert idea!

How to Make Blender Cranberry Salsa

If you’d like a chunky salsa you can use a food processor on medium consistency or only use the blender to chop up your cranberries and stir the additional ingredients in. I wanted a more traditional blender salsa so it would be quickest and easiest cranberry salsa recipe ever. And it worked. Just dump all the ingredients in and let the blender make quick work of breaking all the ingredients down. (I probably could have skipped a lot of the chopping ahead of time for the same results.) I used a blender to make fresh cranberry relish too!

Cranberry Salsa Rest Time

Letting this salsa rest in the fridge is a must. It takes several hours at least to let the flavors meld. As it sits the cranberries will break down further and develop a deeper red coloring. I recommend making this the day before you serve it f possible.

Serve this yummy fresh cranberry salsa for a delicious snack or holiday appetizer before following it up with some smoked turkey, acorn squash in the air fryer, crispy red potatoes , sauteed green beans with bacon and a little pistachio fluff for the main course. The colors and flavors are perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

Once taste of this salsa and guests won’t be able to resist its unique flavors.

Cranberry Salsa Over Cream Cheese

There are several other ways to serve this salsa but cranberry salsa with cream cheese is my absolutely favorite.  You’ll want to start with softened cream cheese and pour some salsa over the top. Garnish with fresh jalapenos or finely chopped green onion and serve with chips or crackers. You can also try this with other salsa flavors. Consider offering this smoked salsa over cream cheese to guests and watch it disappear!

Kitchen Tip: If you also poke holes in the top with the end of a wooden spoon, it makes it easier for guests to dig in!

The sweetness of this cranberry salsa paired with the savory cream cheese and salty chip or cracker is a winning flavor combination!

4.72 from 7 votes

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Cranberry Salsa

This cranberry salsa recipe made with fresh cranberries is a delicious holiday appetizer the whole crowd will love! Serve it just with chips or over a brick of cream cheese for an amazing flavor combination for Thanksgiving or Christmas. You'll love how quick this blender salsa comes together using fresh ingredients!

Servings 3 cups

Ingredients

• 12 oz bag fresh cranberries
• 3 green onions chopped
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1/4 c. cilantro chopped
• 2 to 3 jalapenos seeded and finely chopped
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients into blender. Pulse just until cranberries are broken down.
2. Cover and chill overnight or at least 8 hours.
3. Pour salsa over brick of softened cream cheese, if desired. Serve with tortilla chips.

If you love fresh cranberry recipes, be sure to check out my Cranberry Upside Down Cake which would make a perfect holiday dessert. If you are hunting for more appetizers give these easy cucumber bites or marinated mozzarella balls a try!