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Ground Cherry Salsa

Fresh ground cherry salsa is a sweet and spicy dish featuring cherries and zesty serrano peppers. It is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion, from BBQs to graduation potlucks.

Main image for Ground Cherry Salsa

Prepare to elevate your snack game with this hot cherry pepper salsa dip that’s bursting with freshness and flavor.

Ground cherry salsa gives you a burst of fresh flavor with just a handful of simple ingredients and minimial prep. That makes it perfect for busy weeknights or last minute gatherings.

Also, this sweet cherry salsa recipe is perfectly balanced! Between the sweetness from fresh cherries and a subtle kick from serrano peppers, it creates a flavor profile that’s both refreshing and exciting.

And you can adjust the heat level to your personal preference by controlling the number of serrano pepper seeds you include. That makes sure everyone at the table can enjoy this serrano pepper salsa recipe, whether they prefer mild or fiery flavors.

And best of all, it’s good for you. Packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like cherries, onions, and cilantro, this salsa not only tastes delicious but also provides a healthy dose of vitamins and antioxidants, making it taste like an indulgence but with all the benefits of fresh produce.

Whether you are making a fruit salsa for the first time or are just looking for recipe ideas to use up a lot of cherries, this cherry salsa recipe is fast easy and delicious. It is a great salsa recipe to keep on hand so you can whip this dish up in no time.

All ingredients laid out on counter and ready to prepare and assemble.

What kind of cherries are in Ground Cherry Salsa?

This recipe is written for sweet red cherries that you grind up to make salsa. Whatever kind you find in your local farmers markets or if you are part of a csa, whatever gets delivered is a great option.

However, you can use this recipe with husk cherries or cape gooseberries, commonly known as “ground cherries.” Ground cherries are a small orangish-yellow fruit that are not as sweet as regular cherries, but they still make delicious treats and great salsa.

If you have enough golden berries to make a large bowl, this is a great recipe to follow. If your farm stands do not have enough ground cherries, this recipe is perfect with regular frozen sweet cherries too.

Peppers sliced in half and seeded

What Ingredients are in Ground Cherry Salsa?

  • Serrano Pepper: hot peppers add a spicy kick; these are hotter and thinner than a jalapeno pepper
  • Cherries: a fun little fruit that provides natural sweetness and fruity flavor to the fresh salsa.
  • Red Onion: Adds a savory bite and depth of flavor.
  • Cilantro: Infuses freshness and herbal notes.
  • Lime Juice: Adds tanginess and helps balance the flavors.

Pro tip: Just like removing the jalapeno seeds makes dishes less spicy, removing the seeds from the serrano pepper in salsa reduces the heat level, making the salsa milder. Adjust according to your taste preferences.

Roasted peppers ready to dice

How to Make Ground Cherry Salsa:

  1. Roast serrano pepper until charred.
  2. Combine roasted pepper with cherries, onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a food processor.
  3. Grind until desired consistency is reached, scraping down the sides as needed.
  4. Serve in a medium bowl cold or at room temperature with your favorite dipping foods.

Pro tip: For a smoother salsa, pulse the ingredients in batches, ensuring everything is evenly incorporated.

How to Use Cherry Salsa:

Use this cherry salsa recipe the same way you would use any fruit salsa. You can dip it with tortilla chips for a classic snack. Try serving it on top of grilled fish, poultry, or steak for an extra burst of flavor.

All ingredients placed in food processor.

What to Serve with Ground Cherry Salsa:

We highly recommend serving this cherry salsa with your favorite tortilla chips or cinnamon tortilla chips.

If you’re looking to set up an snack bar, we recommend these tasty dishes too:

How Long Does Ground Cherry Salsa Last?

Store cherry and roasted serrano salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. But it never lasts that long at my house!

How to Store Ground Cherry Salsa:

Keep cherry pepper salsa refrigerated to maintain freshness and flavor. If you are serving it at a party and it will be out longer than an hour, serve it over a bowl of ice to keep it at a food safe temperature.

all ingredients blended up in food processor

Can You Freeze Ground Cherry Salsa?

Yes, you can freeze hot cherry pepper salsa for longer storage. Transfer to freezer-safe containers and store for up to 3 months.

Can I Use Frozen Cherries for Ground Cherry Salsa?

Yes, frozen cherries can be used as a convenient alternative to fresh ones. That lets you make this delicious serrano pepper salsa year round even when cherries aren’t in season!

zoomed out image taking from the top looking down of salsa in bowl with lime wedges.

What Kind of Cherries to Use in Ground Cherry Salsa?

You can use any variety of cherries in this serrano pepper cherry salsa. Sweet cherries are preferred for their natural sweetness to complement the serrano pepper heat.

Is Ground Cherry Salsa Spicy?

That depends on how you make it. If you like spicy ground cherry salsa, keep the seeds of your seranno peppers in this dish. If you do not like spicy salsa, adjust the heat level by controlling the amount of seeds ground in tho the dish.

zoomed out image of salsa in bowl with a hand scooping a portion out with a tortilla chips

Is Ground Cherry Salsa Gluten-Free?

Yes, all the ingredients in this salsa are naturally gluten-free and vegan. That makes it safe to feed your friends and family with special dietary needs.

Is Ground Cherry Salsa Healthy?

Yes, this ground up cherry salsa is very healthy! It is packed with fresh ingredients and is a nutritious addition to your diet.

zoomed in image of salsa in a bowl

Whether you are looking for a bowl of salsa with a very unique flavor or you just brought home a lot of cherries from your local farmer’s market, this is my favorite way to turn cherries into a dip everyone loves. Blended cherry salsa is the best way to get a fresh and fun way to feed a crowd.

Yield: 12 Servings

Ground Cherry Salsa

zoomed out image taking from the top looking down of salsa in bowl with lime wedges.

Dive into a fiesta of flavors with our Ground Cherry Salsa! Sweet cherries and spicy serrano peppers come together in this easy-to-make dip.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 medium sized serrano pepper
  • 3 cups pitted cherries
  • 1 cup roughly chopped red onion
  • 1 cup packed cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon lime juice

Instructions

  1. Wearing latex gloves, remove stem from pepper, slice in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
  2. Roast on a baking sheet under the broiler, cut side down, for 5 to 10 minutes until it's got a good char on it.
  3. Let cool, chop roughly and add to bowl of food processor.
  4. Add all other ingredients to bowl of food processor and process until you reach desired consistency.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 32Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g

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