Cranberry Salsa
Years ago I was visiting with my friend Dan, who is quite a foodie, and he asked me if I’d ever had cranberry salsa.
Cranberry salsa? I’ve never heard of such a thing! Where have I been? This just made me absolutely giddy. It’s always so exciting to come across something new and different.
Dan printed the recipe, and gave me a few suggestions on adaptations he’d made to it. But he promised me I’d absolutely love it with the turkey I’d be serving on Thanksgiving.
And I did. Here is that recipe. Thanks, Dan!
Cranberry Salsa
1- 12 ounce package cranberries
2 jalapenos, stemmed, seeded
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup super-fine white sugar
1 bunch cilantro, leaves only, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
Place the cranberries in a colander. Remove any bad ones and give the rest a good rinse.
Then place the cranberries on a towel to dry.
Place the jalapenos, garlic and sugar in the food processor and pulse until you can’t see any large pieces.
Add the cranberries, cilantro, oil and lime juice and pulse all of the ingredients, without over-processing.
Pour the salsa into a bowl and fold in the sliced green onions. I’ve found that this is easier than using the food processor to chop up green onion.
Cranberry salsa is really good, and I serve it with tortilla chips or pita crisps.
You can refrigerate the salsa overnight, but serve it at room temperature.
And as a condiment, it’s spectacular with turkey.
I make turkey cutlets often, and the pairing is fabulous.
Whether served as an appetizer or as a condiment, you’ll enjoy the zing of the cranberries and jalapeño.
The original recipe called for 2 cups of sugar, but I can’t fathom adding more than the 1 cup of sugar I used. It’s perfect to me just the way it is.
Next time I might consider adding some toasted walnuts or pecans to the salsa at the last minute.
Also, ginger could be used along with the garlic. Or, crystallized ginger…
About the Author: Chef Mimi
I really tastes like salsa, because of the cilantro and jalapenos!
Thanks, Tracy. It may be the same/similar recipe. So many possible variations, that I must keep making it!!! I think the olive oil binds the ingredients a little bit.
Lovely recipe! Very original to the classic cranberry sauces.
I know! It’s really a salsa!
Wow, I have got to try this! Your comment about the quantity of sugar reminded me of Virginia’s post (on OurGrowingPaynes) about cranberries the other day– she added a little baking soda. This was an epiphany for me when I realized what was happening was a change in pH– baking soda reduces acidity, which would be much more effective at softening the tartness of cranberries than adding sugar, which would only make it sweeter, not less tart. Kitchen chemistry!
(Since you’re a knitter, Mimi, the reason this was so mind-blowing to me is that I’ve been preparing to start dyeing my own yarns, and what I’ve been learning is that colors are greatly affected by raising (with baking soda) or lowering (with citric acid or vinegar) the pH of the dyebath. Who knew there could be this kind of connection?)
Fascinating! I’ll have to read Virginia’s post, because I don’t remember this, but it does make sense. I really hate adding so much sugar to stuff, too.
I cannot wait to see your yarns. I will be your biggest fan!
I love your new photo!
I’m pretty sure that post was from yesterday– it was about Cranberry-Applesauce. And thanks!
what an inspired idea! lovely!
And it’s really fabulous!
You will love it, too! It’s really a salsa, except that you realize you’re eating cranberries instead of tomatoes!
I froze the salsa I made, because I knew that no one else but me would indulge on Thanksgiving. But I’m getting it out during the holidays. I really think it will take to freezing well, but it’s also super easy to whip up at the last minute with fresh cilantro!
Well thank you very much!!!
ooooh, cranberry salsa! Never thought about doing that with them. Actually, I can her think what to do with cranberries, they are so tart! But a salsa is perfect place for tartness. It looks wonderful Mimi
I had never thought of doing this either! It’s really just like salsa, but without the tomatoes!
It sure would. Just about any meat, or variety of quesadilla, would be fabulous with this salsa. It really took me by surprise!
I thought that the cranberry sauce was supposed to look like a marmelade rather than a relish but, of course, I’m not an expert and I’m still learning about American traditions. My point is … it looks delicious!!! :-)
The thing is, this isn’t a cranberry sauce. It’s really a salsa, complete with jalapenos and cilantro! Not traditional at all! But it’s very good.
Got it now! :-)
I think we would love this. I do have a “sauce” recipe that I make some years that calls for jalapenos. Thank Dan for us all ! :)
Will do! I love raw cranberry sauce, but this is definitely a salsa. It’s just fabulous!
Can’t imagine how good this would be as I’ve never tasted raw cranberries. Although I’ve cooked them in a chutney several years ago. I love salsa, so I’m pretty sure I’m going to love this as well!
They’re very tart raw, but my favorite cranberry sauce is cranberries, raw whole oranges, and some sugar, all ground up in a food processor. It’s fabulous!
Exactly!
Thank you Viveka! I’m honored!
Not great photos, but the stuff is really fabulous! My friend told me that if I’d been a Texan I would have known about it long ago!
This sounds delicious, Mimi, thank you.
Thanks Linda! The post published accidentally!
Oops! I’ve done that too, but at least yours was finished. :)
And this one was a mistake, too! I don’t even know what I did wrong!
This would be perfect for turkey tacos the next day, too! I like that idea for pecans. I thought you were talking about crystallized ginger at first. Now I’m going to have to look up crystallized garlic.
No. Did I write crystallized garlic? I meant crystallized ginger.
Love this! Cranberries are so perfect for salsa.
Yes they are! Just maybe not better than tomatoes. Just different!
Thanks Teagan!
Wow Chef Mimi – this looks so good, if only we could access fresh cranberries here in Australia – I’ve only ever seen dried ones!
Oh no! That’s so sad. They’re such a unique fruit.
This sounds so much more refreshing than cranberry sauce. Christmas is always hot here so this would be perfect for then :)
Oh, right! That’s a good point! Although my favorite cranberry sauce ever is the mix of cranberries and oranges with sugar. No cooking.
Wowww salsa with cranberries ! It’s beyond amazing 👌 and such an impressive share…👍
Thank you! It does seem odd at first, because it’s supposed to be tomatoes! But once you try it, you’re hooked!
Now I’ve eaten my share of cranberries and salsa, but never together. What an interesting salsa and one I’ll try if I can find fresh cranberries.
Watch out – it’s terribly addicting! Just don’t think about tomatoes when you’re eating it.
Love all the ingredients, plus it’s quick to make – we don’t have Thanksgiving here but I’ll definitely give your recipe a go!
I know. I seriously believe my daughter started a Thanksgiving trend when she moved to London years ago. Her flat was big enough to host the dinner party and it was always a big hit!
Mimi… this looks fabulous, a very versatile accompaniment which would go well with poultry and bbq meats as well as a stand-alone dip! It is one I’ll be serving over our Summer season 😊 Thank you!
You are so welcome Kathryn!
Yes. Of course this would be delicious I just never knew it til I saw it here… GREG
It’s odd that it’s cranberries and not tomatoes, until you taste it, an then it clicks!
What a fantastic idea for this holiday season. The possibilities are endless for this Cranberry Salsa. I love the kick you add with Jalapeños. Thanks so much for sharing. I definitely need to try it.
It’s weird to think of cranberries instead of tomatoes, but once you taste it, it makes sense!!! Love the name of your blog.
You just can’t compare it to tomato-based salsa, because it’s so different! Once you try it, you’ll get it. Guaranteed!
Wow that sounds so good
It’s pretty amazing!
I never would have imagined salsa with cranberries
I know! You just can’t compare it to a tomato salsa!
It sounds like something my kids would truly love!
That sure is a lot of zing!
Absolutely! Tempered by the sugar. Surprisingly wonderful!
What a fun idea! I’ve never tried cranberry salsa, either, and I’m pretty sure my reaction would have been the same…where have I been hiding? This one is perfect for snacking on Thanksgiving before the big meal later in the day! :-)
Definitely. But it’s also really good as a cranberry sauce. Good stuff!
It really is!