Spicy Cranberry Salsa

Scooping cranberry salsa with a cinnamon tortilla chip.

5 from 4 votes

This make-ahead spicy Cranberry Salsa with jalapenos brings fresh, holiday flavors to any spread. It’s an excellent appetizer or food topper!

Prep Time20

Cook Time0

Total Time20

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, holidays, thanksgiving

Servings:

Calories: 52kcal

Ingredients

12 ounces fresh cranberries finely chopped
4 green onions sliced
¼ cup cilantro minced
1-2 jalapeños diced
1 cup diced cucumber
½ cup sugar
1 lemon juiced
1 lime juiced
¼ teaspoon salt
Optional: Cinnamon Sugar Chips or Pita Chips

Instructions

To a medium bowl, combine cranberries, green onion, cilantro, jalapeño, cucumber, sugar, lemon juice, lime juice and salt.
Mix well, cover, and refrigerate 2 hours or up to overnight.
Serve with cinnamon sugar chips, tortilla chips, or as garnish or topper.

Video

Notes

Tips and Substitutions

Yummy Additions and Substitutions: This salsa can be modified to your taste preference and is fun to get creative with. Other ingredient that pair well with these flavors are pomegranate arils, diced mango, avocado chunks, orange zest, jicama cubes, diced bell peppers, diced apple, chopped pineapple, and toasted nuts.
Adjust Heat to Taste: Control the spiciness by modifying the quantity of jalapeños. For a milder salsa, remove seeds and membranes from the jalapeños.
Balance Sweetness: Tailor the sweetness by adjusting the amount of sugar or use honey, agave syrup, or sugar substitutes as alternatives.
Experiment with Cranberries: Based on availability, use fresh or frozen cranberries that have been thawed. Frozen will yield a slightly wetter end product but equally as delicious.
Let It Marinate: Allow the salsa to rest in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. This enhances the melding of flavors, resulting in a tastier salsa.
Fresh Lime and Lemon Juice: Opt for fresh lime juice for a vibrant citrus flavor. Adjust the quantity based on your preference for acidity.
Pepper Variations: If jalapeños are too hot, consider milder peppers like poblanos or bell peppers. Conversely, for more heat, experiment with serranos or other spicy peppers.
Onion Varieties: Experiment with different onion varieties such as red, white, or sweet onions to alter the salsa's flavor profile.
Nutty Addition: Consider adding a handful of chopped nuts like toasted pine nuts or almonds for extra texture and flavor complexity. These will soften

Nutrition