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My quick and Easy Cherry Salsa Recipe has only five ingredients, and you can put it on almost anything!
Another quick recipe which will accompany any weeknight meal or make a great afternoon snack! Cherry Salsa is a blend of amazing, sweet cherries, tangy lime, and kickin’ jalapeños!
This sweet and spicy blend tastes incredible! Serve it on pork, chicken, steak, and of course, tortilla chips.
It’s summertime, and we’ve not only been enjoying the sunshine, but we’ve been enjoying summer’s bounty as well! It’s cherry season and the perfect time of year to be using this sweet and juicy ingredient.
With baskets full of freshly picked cherries, explore new cherry recipes, like Cherry Breakfast Cake, a Chocolate Cherry Smoothie, or a Cherry Cooler!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- The Perfect Combination of Sweet, Tangy, and Spicy– This cherry salsa is a blast of flavor in every bite. Please the pallets of everyone in your family with a well-rounded recipe.
- It’s Oh-So Easy– Chop, mix, season, and voila! You have yourself a quick and effortless salsa that will leave your guests in awe.
- Not-Your-Typical Salsa– Bring this dish to your next party and blow your friends and family away with a non-traditional juicy salsa that satisfies the sweet tooth.
Let’s be honest. Who wouldn’t fall in love with this crowd-pleasing cherry salsa?
Key Ingredients
- Sweet Cherries– You have several options when shopping for your sweet cherries- bing cherries, Lapins cherries, Rainier cherries, or lambert cherries. Fresh from the market is my favorite!
- Jalapeños– Pick out the perfect jalapeño by looking for bright green color, firmness, and glossiness. Avoid any product with soft spots or discoloration.
- Red Onion– Because of the vibrant color and mild taste of red onions, they make for an excellent addition to any fresh salsa or raw salad.
- Cilantro Leaves– Adding some chopped cilantro to this sweet and spicy salsa brings a much-needed herby flavor while complementing the citrus of the lime juice.
- Lime Juice– Fresh is best! I always prefer freshly squeezed lime juice.
How to make Cherry Salsa
This is an overview of the instructions, be sure to see the recipe card for all the details.
- Pit and chop your cherries (see the Expert Tips section), and dice the jalapeno, onion, and cilantro.
- Add the diced cherries and veggies to a mixing bowl.
- Juice the lime (a citrus press works great!) and add it to the cherry mixture.
- Mix it all together, add a little salt if desired. Transfer to a serving bowl and it’s ready immediately.
It’s that easy! Now, you’re ready to serve your cherry salsa to your smiling guests and family. They’re in for a real treat!
Expert Tips
- Make this recipe go even faster with a cherry pitter. I have had a few different kinds throughout the years, but I just recently purchased this cherry pitter from Amazon, and I’m loving it!
- A cherry pitter isn’t necessary, but helpful. If you don’t have one, use your knife to cut around the cherry, remove the pit with your fingers, and proceed to chop the cherries.
- Usually quartering the cherries is diced fine enough, but if they are really large, you can chop them smaller. Don’t over think it!
- A citrus press is a quick and easy way to juice the limes.
- Turn up the heat by keeping the ribs and seeds in the jalapeños.
- If you like a less chunky more juicy salsa, pop all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until you have your desired consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is best using fresh cherries. After fruit is frozen and thawed, it has a mushier and more watery texture, which will affect the consistency of the recipe.
They can, however they do offer a bit of bite to this recipe. My best advice is to use half the amount or less than this recipe calls for if you’re unsure.
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Cherry Salsa
Equipment
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 1 sharp chef's knife
- 1 cherry pitter optional
- 1 citrus press optional
Ingredients
- 2 cups sweet cherries pitted
- 1/2 medium jalapeno seeded, ribs removed (for more heat add more with the seeds and ribs)
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together and stir.
- Adjust to taste.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- A cherry pitter is helpful. If you don’t have one, use your knife to cut around the cherry, remove the pit with your fingers, and proceed to chop the cherries.
- A citrus press is a quick and easy way to juice the limes.
- Adjust heat by leaving or omitting the ribs and seeds of the jalapeños. Leaving ribs and seeds adds heat, removing ribs and seeds lessens heat.
- If you like a less chunky more juicy salsa, pop all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until you have your desired consistency.
Nutrition
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I have not. I prefer this one fresh. You could freeze it, but the texture would be very different upon thawing, probably a bit mushy. And if you wanted to can it, then it would need to be cooked and probably some additional ingredients added. If you decide to play around with it, please stop back and let me know! (sorry for the delayed response, I was out of town)
Have you ever preserved the cherry salsa?
I’m so excited for you to try it! I think it would be fabulous on shortbread cookies. Thanks for the idea!
I am so excited to try this recipe! I found cherry salsa at the Kansas City River Market a year ago and this looks as close to what I had than anything else I have seen online. We ate it on chips and topped our chicken tacos with it and a little sour cream. But the most delicious way I ate it was on a shortbread cookie! I know it sounds weird but it was so delicious!!!
I’m going to Sprouts tomorrow to get some cherries and will make this.
Thank you!
Wow! That’s incredible! Thank you so much, I’m completely honored!!
Your recipe was featured & shared at the Inspiration Spotlight party! Pinned to the featured board. Thanks for joining us each week.
Wow look at all those beautiful Cherries. I have never tried cherry salsa but it sounds amazing!
This is gorgeous! Awesome recipe! Thanks for linkin’ up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Thank you so much Marie!! You won’t be disappointed!
I saw your link at the Creativity Unleashed Party and just had to check out your recipe. This is a MUST try – sounds delicious! Thanks for the recipe. Pinning to share and bookmark.
Awww! Thank you Jenna!
Love cherries and I’m loving the idea of using them as a salsa! You’re one of my favorite features at tomorrow night’s Best of the Weekend Party. Thanks so much for linking up!
A cherry tree! That is so exciting! I’d love to have fruit trees, not enough space. Thanks for stopping in!!
This looks so good. And what cute helpers you had! We’d be honored to have you share this at our weekly link party. http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2016/07/diy-painted-projects-for-home-and.html Hope to see you there!
This salsa looks AMAZING! I love cherries, and I planted my first cherry tree in our yard this summer. That cherry pitter looks like a must have. Thanks for sharing! Visiting from the Weekend Potluck.