Fancy enough to serve to company or take to a gathering, yet easy enough to whip up and enjoy at home, this cranberry salsa recipe hits all the right appetizer notes. Bright, spicy and creamy, with just enough kick to make another bite necessary, this is the dish that will have everyone asking you to share your recipe.
This cranberry jalapeno salsa is a dipping sauce or condiment (we love it for both) that pairs the mildly spicy jalapeno pepper with the tangy sweetness of cranberries. Ours is sweetened with a little sugar, then blended with earthy cilantro, mild white or yellow onion and grated orange zest. The result is citrusy, spicy and soothing.
Cranberry Salsa Ingredients
- Fresh or frozen cranberries: This is the main ingredient, and fresh is always best, though frozen will work too. Just thoroughly thaw the cranberries and remove excess moisture by patting them with paper towels.
- Sugar: The sugar helps prevent this salsa from being too tart and also helps bind the fruity, spicy sauce together.
- Fresh cilantro: Cilantro is a popular herb in Mexican dishes, and this cranberry salsa is no exception. The pungent herb adds a spicy element, with notes of lemon.
- Jalapeno peppers: For a milder taste, remove the seeds and inside stems. For more spice, you can also use the jalapeno peppers as they are, as this recipe directs.
- Onion: Yellow or white onions work well here, as they do in traditional salsas. You can also try a milder option like green onions, which also add a nice pop of color, adding to the vibrant green of cilantro.
- Orange zest: This serves as the acid, balancing out the sauce flavoring and also providing some value as a preservative. Plus, orange is a natural companion for cranberries, enhancing flavor and toning down the spice factor of the jalapenos.
Directions
Step 1: Boil the cranberry mixture
Christine Ma for Taste of Home
In a saucepan, bring the cranberries and water to a boil for two minutes. Place a strainer on top of a glass bowl in the sink, and carefully drain the cranberries, preserving the liquid.
Step 2: Prepare salsa base with reserve liquid
Christine Ma for Taste of Home
Stir the sugar into the reserved liquid until it fully dissolves. Next, add in the cilantro, peppers, onion, orange peel, salt and pepper. Mix well, allowing the mixture to cool before refrigerating. Enjoy!
Christine Ma for Taste of Home
Cranberry Salsa Variations
- Serve over cream cheese: This makes for an easy yet elegant party appetizer. Simply scoop the salsa over an 8-ounce block of cream cheese. Pair with textured crackers or pita chips—you want something that will scoop well without crumbling easily. You can also try ginger snaps; their warm, comforting spice mixed with a little cream cheese and this sweet and spicy salsa makes for a surprisingly delightful bite,