Description
This fresh cranberry salsa is a vibrant and tangy appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with fresh cranberries, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, honey, and served with cream cheese and crackers, it's a delicious and festive starter that is always a hit at parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Salsa Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
- 1/4 cup finely minced red onion
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro
- 1 to 2 tablespoons finely minced jalapeño (start with 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
- 1/3 cup honey or agave
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
To Serve
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese (use 2 blocks for a large group)
- Your favorite crackers
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients. Rinse the fresh cranberries and finely mince the red onion and jalapeño. Roughly chop the cilantro and juice the lime.
- Combine Salsa Ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the cranberries, minced red onion, chopped cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, honey or agave, and salt. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Chill the Salsa. For best flavor, refrigerate the salsa for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, though it can be served immediately.
- Prepare Serving Base. Place the block(s) of cream cheese on a serving platter as the base for the salsa.
- Assemble Appetizer. Spoon the cranberry salsa evenly over the cream cheese block(s).
- Serve. Arrange your favorite crackers around the cream cheese and salsa for guests to scoop and enjoy.
Notes
- This cranberry salsa works wonderfully as a festive holiday appetizer.
- Adjust jalapeño quantity to control the level of spiciness.
- Use agave if you prefer a vegan sweetener instead of honey.
- For larger crowds, double the recipe and use two blocks of cream cheese.
- The salsa can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.25 cup salsa
- Calories: 55 kcal
- Sugar: 10.9 g
- Sodium: 74.6 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14.8 g
- Fiber: 1.7 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
