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Festive Cranberry Salsa Recipe for Holiday Entertaining

This healthy Cranberry Holiday Salsa is a fresh, fun, and festive appetizer that balances tangy and sweet flavors. It’s wonderful as a dip with tortilla chips or served alongside goat cheese and crackers.

Overhead photo of Cranberry Holiday Salsa in a white bowl with tortilla chips on a silver platter. A festive green and red towel is in the background.

You know the danger at holiday gatherings: you can fill up on appetizers before the main course. This salsa is one of those temptations—I didn’t mean to overeat, but it was impossible to resist.

Whole Cranberry Salsa ingredients in the food processor

It’s incredibly simple to make. Using a food processor, it takes just a few minutes to prep, and the result is bright and vibrant. Fresh cranberries give the salsa a tart, lively base, while cilantro, orange and lime juices, and a touch of sweetener round out the flavor.

Finished Cranberry Salsa in a glass bowl with a serving spoon

The red-and-green color makes it especially attractive on a holiday table. I use fresh orange zest and juice plus lime juice for brightness, and a combination of maple syrup and coconut sugar for gentle sweetness. A small amount of diced jalapeño and red onion adds texture and a subtle spicy kick; increase those if you prefer bolder heat or more onion flavor.

Close up photo of Holiday Salsa in a white bowl with tortilla chips on a silver platter. A festive green and red towel is in the background.

Simply mix everything together and chill until serving. I love it with chips; sweet potato tortillas are a great pairing. It’s also sublime spooned over crackers with a smear of goat cheese—set that out and watch it disappear.

Close up photo of Cranberry Holiday Salsa in a white bowl with tortilla chips and the text overlay- 21 Day Fix | 2B Mindset | WW | Cranberry Holiday Salsa | Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Confessions of a Fit Foodie

Looking for more holiday recipes? Try one of these

The Best Gluten Free Holiday Appetizers

Maple Cider Holiday Salad

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with Cranberry Horseradish Chutney

The Yummiest Gluten and Dairy Free Christmas Cookies

Close up photo of a white bowl of cranberry salsa with gluten free tortilla chips on the side. Black and pink text overlay on a white background - text says, 21 Day Fix | 2B Mindset | WW | GF + DF | Sweet Holiday Salsa made with Cranberries | Confessions of a Fit Foodie

Printable Cranberry Holiday Salsa Recipe

Cranberry Holiday Salsa

Cranberry Holiday Salsa

This healthy Cranberry Holiday Salsa is fresh, fun, and festive—a little tangy and a little sweet. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or goat cheese.
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 5 mins | Total Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • 1 Tablespoon diced jalapeño (more to taste)
  • 2 Tablespoons diced red onion
  • Zest and juice of 1 orange
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons coconut sugar (or cane sugar / stevia to taste)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chips or crackers for dipping (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, pulse the cranberries and cilantro until coarsely chopped but still salsa-textured.
  2. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the jalapeño, red onion, orange zest and juice, lime juice, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. Season with salt and pepper and adjust the sweetness if needed.
  3. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with chips or crackers and goat cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

21 Day Fix: 1/3 PURPLE plus dippers (per serving).

Nutrition

Serving size: 0.33 cup — Calories: 43 kcal; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Protein: 0.2 g; Fat: 0.1 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: 8 g.

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