Last Updated on December 15, 2025 by PorchLightReading
This fresh cranberry salsa recipe is sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy. Made with jalapeños, lime, and pecans and perfect for holiday parties!
When fresh cranberries come into the store I am grabbing a few packs at a time. Cranberry muffins, relish, and anything else I can think of including this homemade cranberry salsa.
It seems like we go through a lot of salsa in this house and fruit salsa with tortilla chips just happen to be an every season thing. In the summer months we have mango and watermelon salsa. In the spring we have cucumber salsa. And in the cool months we have this cranberry salsa with fresh lime, jalapeños, and cilantro.
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- Table of contents: Cranberry Salsa Recipe
- Ingredients
- Step by step instructions
- Tips and variations
- Jump to printable recipe
Maybe in the end it’s love for a crispy, salty, tortilla chip because we have a salsa for every season and fruit. Now that I think about it, we have a great jalapeño dip we like to make too. So be sure to stick around for ALL the delicious salsa recipes.
Cranberry Salsa Recipe
This cranberry salsa recipe is perfect for the holiday season. With bright reds and greens, it’s a festive salsa that comes together quickly and is perfect for family gatherings and parties.
- Why you’ll like it
- No cooking required
- Fresh ingredients
- Bright colors
- Sweet and spicy
- Comes together quickly
- Great with cream cheese, chicken, or crackers
Ingredients
- 12 oz. fresh cranberries
- 2 TBS sugar
- 1 Jalapeno (seeded)
- ½ cup cilantro
- ¼ cup green onions
- 1 fresh lime with zest and juice
- ½ cup pecans (we like candied pecans)
- pinch of salt
Cranberry Salsa Instructions
Pulse the cranberries- Add 12 oz. fresh cranberries to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed. You’ll want small bits with some texture.
Stir in flavor- Transfer cranberries to a bowl and mix with 2 TBS sugar, 1 diced jalapeño (seeded), ½ chopped cilantro, ¼ green onions, ½ cup chopped pecans, lime juice and zest, and a pinch of salt.
Chill for best flavor- Cover and refrigerate at least one hour. This helps the sugar to dissolve and the flavors to blend together.
Serve- Serve with tortilla chips, over cream cheese, or spooned over roasted chicken or turkey.
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Tips and Variations
This cranberry salsa recipe is so simple to make and is easily customizable. Looking for a little more spice? Add another jalapeño. Or perhaps you would like it a little less tart and a little more sweet. You can add a bit more sugar to adjust exactly to your liking.
- Don’t over pulse the cranberries. You want a coarse chop.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding a bit more sugar.
- Add another jalapeño for more spice or a bit less for a mild heat.
- Let it chill. Cranberry salsa tastes best after at least one hour refrigerated.
- Serve it cold. This recipe is meant to be fresh and chilled.
This fresh, homemade salsa is so perfect for the holidays. With reds and greens it’s a bit of a twist on a classic dish and a fun appetizer for your next holiday gathering.
Printable Recipe Card
Fresh Cranberry Salsa
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 2 TBS sugar
- 1 jalapeno (seeded)
- ½ cup cilantro
- ¼ cup green onions
- 1 lime, juice + zest
- ½ cup candied pecans
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add 12 oz.fresh cranberries to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed. You'll want small bits with some texture.
- Transfer cranberries to a bowl and mix with 2 TBS sugar, 1 diced jalapeño (seeded), ½ chopped cilantro, ¼ green onions, ½ cup chopped candied pecans, lime juice and zest, and a pinch of salt.
- Cover and refrigerate at least one house. This helps the sugar to dissolve and the flavors to blend together.
- Serve with tortilla chips, over cream cheese, or spooned over roasted chicken or turkey.
Notes
Nutrition
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