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cranberry salsa served on cream cheese with crackers

Fresh Cranberry Salsa (+Appetizer!)

5 from 2 votes
Emily Dixon, One Lovely Life
This cranberry salsa is the perfect holiday appetizer. It's always a hit at parties!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Print Pin
Servings: 2 cups salsa
Calories: 55kcal

Ingredients

For Cranberry Salsa:

  • 1 (12-ounce) package of fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
  • 1/4 cup finely minced red onion
  • 1/3-1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro
  • 1-2 Tablespoons finely minced jalapeño start with 1 Tbsp.
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice from 1 lime
  • 1/3 cup honey or agave
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or more to taste

For Cream Cheese Appetizer:

  • 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese (use 2 blocks for a large group!)
  • Your favorite crackers*

Instructions

For Cranberry Salsa:

  • Break Up The Cranberries. To start, place cranberries into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to break the cranberries down a bit, but don't puree them. (I recommend 15-20 short pulses.)
  • Add Remaining Ingredients. Add onion, 1/3 cup cilantro, 1 Tablespoon minced jalapeño, lime juice, honey/agave, and salt.
  • Pulse To Combine. Then, pulse a few times (don't puree!) to combine everything and break it down. (You'll only need 5-10 short pulses.) Stir to combine thoroughly.
  • Taste & Adjust. Add more cilantro, salt, honey/agave, or jalapeño, as desired. (Remember that the flavors will intensify and develop as the salsa chills in the fridge.)
  • Chill, If Possible. For best results, transfer the salsa to an airtight container and chill in the fridge at least 1-2 hours. The salsa will get softer, more juicy, and more flavorful.
  • Serve & Store. Enjoy right away on its own, or turn it into an appetizer. Salsa will keep in the fridge 4--5 days.

For Cranberry Salsa Cream Cheese Appetizer:

  • Plate Cream Cheese. When the salsa is done, unwrap a block of cream cheese and place it on a platter or plate. (I keep the block of cream cheese whole for easy scooping, though you can whip it and spread it out like hummus, if you prefer.)
  • Spoon Cranberry Salsa Over Cream Cheese. Then, spoon some of the salsa over the cream cheese. (You won't use all of the salsa. For large crowds, you can use 2 blocks of cream cheese)
  • Serve With Crackers or Chips. You can scoop the salsa and cream cheese together onto your cracker like a dip!

Notes

*CRACKERS: We like Schar Entertainment Crackers for a gluten-free option. They taste like gluten-free Ritz crackers! If you're not gluten-free, Ritz crackers and Wheat Thins work well!

MORE SERVING IDEAS:

  • With tortilla chips or crackers as a dip
  • Over grilled or cooked chicken
  • In tacos or over nachos

Video

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cranberry cream cheese appetizer, Cranberry salsa, cranberry salsa cream cheese

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25(1/4) cup salsa | Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 74.6mg | Potassium: 59.6mg | Fiber: 1.7g | Sugar: 10.9g | Vitamin C: 10.3mg | Calcium: 6.1mg

Nutrition facts are an estimate only and will vary based on brands and amounts used.