This cranberry salsa is bursting with contemporary taste from tart cranberries, citrus and jalapeño. It’s festive, simple to make and all the time a success at vacation events.
I first tried cranberry salsa at Thanksgiving final yr and immediately fell in love. It was candy, tangy, and had simply the correct amount of spiciness, mainly the whole lot I really like in a dip. I couldn’t cease going again for extra! So this yr, I made a decision to make my very own model to share for the vacations.
Why I Love This Festive Cranberry Salsa
It’s contemporary, festive, and so easy to throw collectively, which makes it excellent for the vacations. It takes solely about 10 minutes to prep, and the combination of tart cranberries, citrus, and a contact of spice is so refreshing. Serve it with cream cheese and crackers or tortilla chips, and it’s assured to vanish quick. It appears fancy however takes nearly no effort, which makes it a complete win in my e book, particularly through the holidays once I’m already cooking so much!
Components Wanted
- contemporary cranberries – the star of the present! You should utilize thawed frozen cranberries when you can’t discover contemporary cranberries.
- cilantro – provides a burst of freshness and colour. Not a fan? Strive parsley as an alternative.
- jalapeño – offers the salsa somewhat kick. Go away some seeds in when you like additional spice. For a milder model, use half a jalapeño or take away all of the seeds.
- inexperienced onions – add delicate onion taste that balances the tart cranberries. You possibly can swap with pink onion or yellow onion for a sharper taste.
- cane sugar or coconut sugar – sweetens the salsa and balances the tartness.
- orange juice – fresh-squeezed is greatest, however bottled works in a pinch.
- lime juice – provides brightness and that zesty citrus pop.
- sea salt – enhances all of the flavors.
Tips on how to Make This Cranberry Salsa Recipe
Step 1: Add the cranberries, cilantro, jalapeño and inexperienced onions to your meals processor.
Step 2: Pulse just a few instances till the whole lot is finely chopped, however nonetheless has some texture. You don’t need it puréed.
Step 3: Switch the chopped combination to a bowl, then stir within the sugar, orange juice, lime juice and salt.
Step 4: Give it a fast style and regulate if wanted. Cowl the bowl and refrigerate for at the very least half-hour. Serve the salsa with crackers or tortilla chips. It’s additionally scrumptious as a topping for hen, turkey or fish.
Suggestions For Making The Greatest Cranberry Salsa
- Don’t over-blend: Pulse the cranberries within the meals processor till the whole lot is finely chopped however nonetheless has texture. Should you mix an excessive amount of, it’ll flip into cranberry sauce.
- Modify to style: Cranberries can differ in tartness, so begin with much less sugar and add extra if wanted. You may as well play with the spice degree by including additional jalapeño or leaving some seeds in.
- Chill earlier than serving: Let the salsa relaxation within the fridge for at the very least half-hour. This helps the flavors meld and makes it style even higher.
- Make it forward: This salsa retains effectively within the fridge for a few days, so it’s excellent to prep earlier than a celebration or vacation meal.
- Use frozen cranberries if wanted: If contemporary cranberries aren’t in season, thawed frozen ones work simply as effectively. That’s really how I examined this recipe, and it turned out completely tart and brilliant.
Serving Options
There are such a lot of methods to serve this cranberry salsa, and it’s not only for chips.
- With tortilla chips: My favourite method to serve it! The candy, tart and spicy flavors pair completely with salty tortilla chips or baked pita chips. These home made almond flour crackers would even be scrumptious served with the salsa.
- With cream cheese and crackers: Unfold a layer of cream cheese on a platter and spoon the salsa on high for a simple vacation appetizer.
- As a topping for protein: Spoon it over grilled hen, turkey (attempt my air fryer turkey breast) or fish (like my air fryer salmon) for a contemporary pop of taste.
- With goat cheese or brie: Strive it with delicate cheeses for a fancier appetizer board.
- On crostini: Unfold cream cheese or ricotta on toasted baguette slices, then high with cranberry salsa for a festive chew.
Often Requested Questions
Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4-5 days. Give it a fast stir earlier than serving once more, since a few of the juices could settle.
Sure, frozen cranberries work completely for this recipe. Simply thaw them first and drain off any extra liquid earlier than including them to the meals processor. That’s really how I examined this recipe, and it turned out nice.
Positively! Actually, it tastes even higher after sitting within the fridge for just a few hours as a result of the flavors have time to meld collectively. It’s the proper vacation appetizer to make 1-2 days earlier than serving.
You technically can, but it surely’s a bit difficult since cranberries are small and agency. Should you don’t have a meals processor, attempt utilizing a blender on the heart beat setting, working in small batches to keep away from over-blending. Hand chopping will work in a pinch, but it surely’s time-consuming and the feel received’t be fairly as even.
I don’t suggest freezing it. As soon as thawed, the feel turns into watery and the cranberries lose their contemporary chew. If you wish to prep forward, it’s greatest to make it a day or two upfront and retailer it within the fridge as an alternative.
Extra Vacation Appetizers
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