Name: Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 oz fresh cranberries; 1 Tbsp orange zest; 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped; 1/2 cup sliced green onions; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 Tbsp lime juice; 1/2 cup raw sugar; 1/4 tsp salt

There’s something about the bright, tangy burst of flavors in this Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe that instantly lifts the spirit of any festive table. It brings together the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and fresh with just a few simple ingredients — a total crowd-pleaser in my house every season.

A white bowl filled with finely chopped cranberry relish, showing deep red and pink tones mixed with small pieces of green herbs, sits on a round wooden board. Around the bowl, there is one layer of round crackers, which are golden-brown with small holes, arranged closely in a circular shape. Some green sprigs are placed between the crackers for a touch of color. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to dishes during the holidays because it’s so quick to whip up yet full of vibrant flavors that bring your festive spread to life. I love how it brightens everything from appetizers to main dishes!

Super Easy Prep: It comes together in just a few minutes, making it perfect for last-minute entertaining or meal prep.
Balanced Flavor: The mix of tart cranberries, spicy jalapeños, and zesty orange and lime gives your palate such a fresh, festive kick.
Versatile Uses: This salsa is amazing on chips, as a topping for turkey sandwiches, or even paired with roasted meats.
Bright & Colorful: The vibrant red and green hues make your holiday table look extra inviting and festive.

A round wooden board holds a white bowl full of bright red cranberry relish with small chopped bits, placed in the center. Around the bowl are three layers of round crackers: the top left layer is light golden with small holes, the top right layer is light beige with visible seeds, and the bottom layer is a plain light golden color with more holes. Green pine leaves are placed underneath the crackers, peeking out between them. The board sits on a white marbled surface scattered with red cranberries and more green pine leaves. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe plays a key role in layering flavors and textures to make it truly shine. When you pick out fresh, quality produce, it really makes all the difference.

Flat lay of fresh whole cranberries scattered beside a small mound of bright orange zest, two halved green jalapeños with seeds removed, a neat pile of sliced green onions, a small bunch of chopped fresh cilantro, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear lime juice, a small white ceramic bowl holding raw golden sugar crystals, and a small white ceramic bowl containing fine white salt, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fresh cranberries: Tangy and slightly bitter, they’re the heart of this salsa and bring that signature holiday zing.
Orange zest: Adds a fragrant citrus brightness that complements the tartness of the cranberries.
Jalapeños: Don’t skip the spice! They give a gentle heat, perfectly balanced when you seed them and adjust to taste.
Green onions: Adds a mild onion crunch without overpowering the other ingredients.
Fresh cilantro: Brings a herby freshness that lightens the salsa beautifully.
Lime juice: Offers extra acidity to brighten everything and balance the sweetness.
Raw sugar: Sweetens just enough to tame tartness, but keeps the flavors vibrant.
Salt: Essential to enhance all those fresh flavors and bring harmony to the salsa.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe is how easily you can personalize it to fit your taste buds or dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment — it only takes a quick pulse in the food processor, so tweaks are a breeze!

Variation: I sometimes swap out raw sugar for honey or maple syrup for a warmer sweetness, especially if I want to keep it refined sugar-free.
Milder Heat: If jalapeños feel too spicy, try using poblano peppers or reduce the amount to suit your heat preference.
Herb Swap: Fresh mint makes a delightful alternative to cilantro for a different fresh pop.
Chunkier Salsa: Instead of pulsing the cranberries finely, pulse just a few times for a chunkier, heartier texture perfect on nachos or alongside creamy cheeses.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Fresh Ingredients

Start by rinsing your cranberries and green onions. Zest your orange first (I find zesting over the bowl helps catch all that fragrant goodness). Then, carefully seed and chop your jalapeños — I always wear gloves to avoid surprises later! Chop your cilantro roughly since it’ll get finely processed.

Step 2: Pulse to Perfection

Place cranberries, orange zest, jalapeños, green onions, and cilantro into a food processor or blender. Pulse several short bursts until everything is finely chopped but not pureed. This keeps a lovely texture — you want bite-sized pieces that still sparkle with freshness.

Step 3: Stir and Chill

Transfer your chopped mixture into a bowl. Add in the lime juice, raw sugar, and salt, and stir well to combine. This step is key — make sure sugar is evenly dissolved and flavors meld nicely. Cover the bowl, then pop it into the fridge for at least 2 hours. The wait is worth it — chilling helps the flavors fuse beautifully.

Top Tip

Over the years of making and sharing this Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe, I learned some handy tricks that make all the difference between “good” and “wow” results. Here are my top tips to help you nail it every time.

Pulse, Don’t Puree: Short, quick pulses keep the texture light and fresh, giving you that perfect salsa feel instead of a sauce.
Seed Jalapeños for Balance: Removing seeds cuts down the heat but keeps the pepper flavor intact — perfect if you like a moderate kick.
Chill at Least 2 Hours: Letting the salsa rest in the fridge allows the flavors to marry and mellow, making it taste more cohesive and vibrant.
Fresh Ingredients Matter: Whenever possible, use fresh cranberries and herbs for the brightest, most authentic flavor — frozen just won’t compare here.

How to Serve Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing this cranberry salsa with a sprinkle of extra fresh cilantro leaves or some thinly sliced green onions for crunch, just before serving. Sometimes I toss in a few pomegranate seeds for an extra pop of color and sweetness — it’s as pretty as it is tasty.

Side Dishes

This salsa pairs beautifully with turkey or chicken dishes, especially roasted or grilled versions. It’s also fantastic alongside sweet potato fries or dolloped on top of soft cream cheese with crackers for an easy appetizer.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to serve this salsa in a hollowed-out mini pumpkin or a festive bowl surrounded by tortilla chips and colorful veggies. It really amps up the presentation and makes it feel special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftovers stored in an airtight container in the fridge, where it stays fresh for up to 4 days. Just give it a quick stir before serving again, and you’re good to go!

Freezing

Since this salsa relies on fresh herbs and citrus, I don’t recommend freezing it. The texture of the cranberries and brightness of the herbs don’t hold up well once thawed.

Reheating

This salsa is best served chilled or at room temperature, so no reheating needed. Just take it out of the fridge 10-15 minutes before serving for the best flavor experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! Make it at least 2 hours ahead or up to 24 hours in advance to let the flavors meld beautifully. Just keep it refrigerated and covered.

How spicy is this salsa?

The heat level depends on how many jalapeños you use and whether you remove the seeds. Removing seeds reduces the spice, making it mild enough for most palates, but still with a nice kick.

Can I substitute other fruits for cranberries?

You could experiment with tart cherries or pomegranate arils, but cranberries provide a unique tartness and texture that’s hard to replace perfectly in this salsa.

What can I serve with Holiday Cranberry Salsa?

It’s fantastic served with poultry like turkey or chicken, on chips or crackers, over cream cheese, or alongside roasted vegetables and sweet potatoes. It really complements rich or savory dishes beautifully.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Cranberry Salsa Recipe is one of those dishes that has earned a spot in my festive rotation because it’s effortless, delicious, and brings a genuine pop of holiday cheer to every bite. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do — it’s a simple way to add big flavor and color to your celebrations. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll be on repeat in your kitchen, too!