Appetizers and Snacks/ Christmas/ Fruit/ Gluten Free/ Holiday/Themed/ Sauces/Condiments/ Thanksgiving

Cranberry Salsa Dip

Cranberry Salsa Dip ~ Take that leftover cranberry sauce, homemade or canned, and turn it into a dip that’s perfect for any game day nosh!

Cranberry salsa over a plate of softened smoothed cream cheese, with butter crackers.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

I love homemade cranberry sauce with my turkey. It’s incredibly easy to make at home instead of opening a can. I make my grandma’s recipe every year.

However, not everyone at my dinner table likes it. Some years, I am left with maybe a teaspoon, and other years, I am only missing a tablespoon.

I set aside enough cranberry sauce to get me through some leftovers and sandwiches, then was still left with about a cup and a half.

Close up side view of cranberry salsa over cream cheese.

What to do With Leftover Cranberry Sauce

What to do with that cup and half you may ask? Well, salsa is always the answer. Leftover cranberry sauce, a few other ingredients, a blender and some cream cheese and you, my friends, have a festive dip on your hands.

With it being the height of football season, there are plenty of games around the holidays where you can serve this holiday dish.  It’s easy to convert it into a dip that everyone will love.

Plus this works well whether you use homemade or canned cranberry sauce.

Dropping a spoonful of cranberry salsa over smoothed softened cream cheese on a white plate with green edging.

I love cranberries in many different ways, and this Cranberry Salsa Dip is just one more way I get to enjoy this seasonal berry.

What other ways have you used up your leftover cranberry sauce? Maybe a smoothie? Or in a salad? How about a casserole? Share with me in the comments below how you’ve used up any leftovers of this holiday favorite.

Horizontal view of the white plate with green trim of softened cream cheese topped with cranberry salsa.

Easy Party Dip Recipes

Need more ideas for your holiday parties? Try these easy yet delicious dips.

Converted homemade cranberry sauce into a salsa served over cream cheese.
Cranberry salsa over cream cheese on a white plate with green trim.

Cranberry Salsa Dip

Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cranberry Salsa
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 180 kcal
Author: Michelle De La Cerda
Cranberry Salsa Dip ~ Take that left over cranberry sauce, homemade or canned, and turn it into a dip that’s perfect for any game day nosh
Print

Ingredients

  • cups cranberry sauce
  • 1 jalapeño seeded, deveined, and diced (leave seeds if you like it HOT)
  • 5 green onions diced
  • 3 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • 1 clove garlic
  • onion powder
  • tsp salt +/-, to taste
  • tsp pepper +/-, to taste
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened

Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients except for the cream cheese to a blender, pulse or blend until smooth.

  2. Allow to chill for one hour to overnight.

  3. Spread cream cheese on a platter or such.

  4. Pour chilled salsa over cream cheese.

  5. Serve with crackers and/or chips.

  6. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

This is a very mild salsa. To amp up the spice, add 2 to 3 more jalapeños or even a habanero.  

Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Salsa Dip
Amount Per Serving
Calories 180 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 31mg10%
Sodium 144mg6%
Potassium 73mg2%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 21g23%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 507IU10%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 35mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This post has been updated from it’s original November 29, 2014 publishing with updated content, clarified recipe card, reedited photos, and links to other recipes.

Thank you for sharing!

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32 Comments

  • Reply
    christina @ christina's cucina
    November 30, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    This is lovely for holiday entertaining, and so unique, too!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      November 30, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      Thank you Christina! It’s a hit around my house.

  • Reply
    Debra Clark
    November 30, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    What an original idea – love the sweet/spicy thing you have going on here. Definitely giving this a try for the holidays – great recipe!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      November 30, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      Thank you Debra, sweet/savory or sweet/spicy, ok, fine, sweet anything is a favorite! 🙂

  • Reply
    Lovefoodies
    November 30, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    This looks ABSOLUTELY delish! I can’t wait to try it. I love cranberries and I love salsa.. combo made in heaven!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      November 30, 2014 at 1:27 pm

      Thank you so much. It’s a fun and tasty recipe. Enjoy.

  • Reply
    Becca from ItsYummi.com
    November 30, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    I can’t even get over how amazing this sounds… and it’s so easy to make, too!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      November 30, 2014 at 3:51 pm

      Easy is always the best. Hope you enjoy it.

  • Reply
    Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
    November 30, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    I adore cran sauce! This is such a good idea!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      November 30, 2014 at 7:24 pm

      Thank you so much Dorothy!

  • Reply
    Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3
    November 30, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    This looks fabulous! I keep getting a sample of something similar to this at Costco, but never even thought to try making it myself– yum! Pinning and planning to make asap!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 1, 2014 at 12:13 am

      Oh Jamie, this is so easy to make. You will shake your head at the quickness of it all. Enjoy.

  • Reply
    Aggie
    December 1, 2014 at 4:24 am

    This is great! I have a ton of homemade cranberry sauce leftover (I Love it, however, it’s not the most popular thing on the Thanksgiving table). What a fun way to use it in another dish! This sounds delicious!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 1, 2014 at 8:49 am

      Thank you Aggie…Poor cranberry sauce, it’s a love it or leave it dish. Luckily we both love it. I think the Thanksgiving table would be odd looking without it.

  • Reply
    Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
    December 1, 2014 at 6:10 am

    I was left with about 2 pounds of cranberry sauce. So this is most definitely calling my name!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 1, 2014 at 8:44 am

      Oh I have had those years too! I hope you enjoy it.

  • Reply
    Nicole, RD
    December 1, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    My mom always has jalapeno jam with cream cheese at the holidays…this is right along those lines but the cranberries makes it all the more suited for holiday time!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 1, 2014 at 7:56 pm

      I like your mom! I love cream cheese dips…although in serious moderation.

  • Reply
    Kelly @ TastingPage
    December 1, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    Great idea so that no cranberry is left behind!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 1, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      Exactly! Cranberries deserve a greater love than they currently get.

  • Reply
    Patricia @ Grab a Plate
    December 1, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    There are sooo many reasons to love this! Really loving the addition of the jalapeno & cilantro!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 1, 2014 at 7:48 pm

      It’s a nice twist for the tart made sweet cranberry.

  • Reply
    elizabeth @LocalSavour
    December 1, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    Oh my, this wouldn’t last long in my house ~ great idea ~ yum!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 1, 2014 at 7:47 pm

      Thank you Elizabeth.

  • Reply
    Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze
    December 2, 2014 at 1:42 am

    This looks amazing! I love the jalapeño added. My hubby and I love to sit around and snack on this kind of stuff all the time! Pinned. 🙂

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 2, 2014 at 12:24 pm

      I am so glad I am not alone with recipes like this! Thank you Cyndi

  • Reply
    Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)
    December 2, 2014 at 6:47 am

    I just made some cranberry salsa too! Great minds! However, I didn’t use that cream cheese! You are a genius!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 2, 2014 at 12:24 pm

      Genius or cream cheese addict, you decide!

  • Reply
    Healing Tomato
    December 2, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    What a fantastic recipe! I love cranberry and never thought to make it into Salsa.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 2, 2014 at 7:38 pm

      Thank you HT, Everything can be made into a salsa!

  • Reply
    12 Delicious Salsa Recipes
    September 17, 2015 at 11:33 am

    […] Cranberry Salsa Dip is shared by Michelle @ The Complete Savorist. This is a great idea to use leftover cranberry sauce! Wouldn’t it be fabulous on a turkey sandwich or wrap?! […]

  • Reply
    Black Bean Dip - The Complete Savorist
    December 13, 2018 at 12:46 pm

    […] Cranberry Salsa Dip […]

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