Cranberry Salsa with Cream Cheese

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. + chilling

Makes

3 cups salsa (2 cups cream cheese)

Updated: Jun. 27, 2023
Here's a busy host's dream! Stir together the zippy, Christmasy red salsa ahead of time, then just spoon it over a block of cream cheese when guests arrive. —Linda Mattfield, Eugene, Oregon

Ingredients

  • 1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh gingerroot
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • Assorted crackers

Directions

  1. Place cranberries in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a small bowl; stir in sugar, green onions, cilantro, jalapeno, ginger and lemon juice. Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Place cream cheese on a serving platter; top with cranberry mixture. Serve with crackers.
Peppers (Hot)
Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.
Sugared Cranberries
Heat 3 tablespoons light corn syrup in microwave until warm; gently toss with 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, allowing excess syrup to drip off. Toss in 1/3 cup sugar to coat. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set, about 1 hour.