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Zesty Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa Recipe for Holiday Parties

Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa is bright and festive when served over a block of cream cheese with tortilla chips or crackers for dipping.

Ideal for holiday parties, this Cranberry Salsa — also called Cranberry Jalapeño Dip — can be made a few days in advance so a flavorful appetizer is ready when guests arrive.

Thumb holding tortilla chip with cream cheese dipping in cranberry salsa

If you enjoy this, you might also like other cranberry recipes such as Cranberry Mold.

Cranberry Salsa Over Cream Cheese

This salsa is full of vibrant flavors and fresh, colorful ingredients. Tart cranberries combine with jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, ginger and lemon juice to create a bright, festive party food.

The mix of fruit and vegetables gives a lively, tangy bite that pairs especially well with a soft block of cream cheese and crunchy dippers.

Other cold dips that are popular at gatherings include Cold Crab Dip and Black Bean and Corn Salsa — serving salsa is a simple way to add more fresh produce to your snack table.

A friend shared this recipe, and I realized I haven’t posted many fresh cranberry recipes. That’s changing — it felt great to include a cranberry dish for the holidays again.

This same friend also shared our Taco Meatloaf recipe, so when someone with good taste recommends something, I make it right away.

She suggests preparing the salsa a few days before holiday meals or parties so the work is done and the flavors have time to meld.

Platter of cranberry jalapeno and cilantro salsa with chips and crackers for dipping

Also Called Cranberry Jalapeño Dip

Tortilla chips, sturdy Triscuits or Wheat Thins all taste great topped with a layer of cream cheese and a scoop of this salsa.

I like to hand‑chop the green onions, cilantro and jalapeños and then mix them with the chopped cranberries, but you can certainly pulse everything in a food processor or blender for speed and consistency.

If you use a blender, remove the jalapeño seeds to control the heat and avoid bitterness.

The cool, fresh cranberry flavors make a nice contrast to warm, cheesy dips often found on holiday appetizer tables, like Fiesta Sausage Dip or Buffalo Chicken Dip.

Cranberry salsa over a block of cream cheese on white platter with chips

Tips for Making Cranberry Salsa

  • Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Don’t add too much lemon juice or the salsa will become runny.
  • Refrigerate at least two hours so the flavors can meld.
  • Stored in an airtight container, the salsa keeps for 3–5 days in the refrigerator.

How to Make Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa

  1. Place the cranberries in a blender or food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
  2. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the green onions, jalapeños (cored and seeded if desired), sugar, cilantro, ginger and lemon juice.
  3. Stir well, then refrigerate in an airtight container for at least 2 hours and up to a few days to let flavors develop.
  4. Serve over softened blocks of cream cheese with tortilla chips or crackers for dipping.
collage of chopped cranberry and jalapeno salsa recipe on chip with cream cheese

Other Easy Recipes for a Party:

  • Pink Slush Punch
  • Jalapeño Cheese Ball
  • Quick Pizza Dip
  • Slow Cooker Sausage & Cream Cheese Dip
  • Roast Beef Sliders
  • Ham, Swiss and Ranch Party Sliders
  • Turkey, Cheddar and Bacon Sliders
cream cheese on chip dipping in cranberry jalapeno salsa

Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa

Created by Jennifer Osterholt
Servings: 15 people
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill time 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
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Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa is fresh and festive when served over a block of cream cheese with tortilla chips or crackers for dipping.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces Fresh cranberries
  • 1/4 cup Green onions, minced
  • 2 small Jalapeños, cored, seeded & minced
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Ginger, freshly minced
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon juice, fresh-squeezed
  • 16 ounces Cream cheese

Instructions

  • Place the cranberries in a blender or food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
  • Pour into a mixing bowl and add the green onions, jalapeños, sugar, cilantro, ginger and lemon juice.
  • Mix well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend.
  • Spoon the salsa over softened cream cheese and serve with crackers or tortilla chips.

Notes

  • Fresh ingredients maximize flavor.
  • Avoid too much lemon juice to keep the salsa from getting watery.
  • Let the salsa chill at least two hours so flavors meld.
  • Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3–5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcal
Carbohydrates: 11g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 33mg
Sodium: 98mg
Potassium: 74mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 9g
Vitamin A: 474IU
Vitamin C: 6mg
Calcium: 33mg
Iron: 1mg

“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian or nutrition professional. Any nutritional information shared is an estimate and can vary depending on products used. If exact nutritional values matter to you, consider using a nutrition calculator with your specific ingredients.

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