Today, we'll show you how to make Mexican salsa fresca with cherries, a sweet and spicy condiment you can put together in just a few minutes!
Salsa fresca, also known as pico de gallo, is a type of fresh and chunky salsa from Mexico.
It's traditionally made from raw chopped tomatoes, onions, serrano peppers, lime juice and cilantro and is commonly served with tacos, fajitas, nachos, and tortilla chips.
This cherry salsa recipe replaces tomatoes with fresh cherries for a fruity salsa idea.
It tastes spicy and tangy as classic salsa but with a touch of sweetness from ripe cherries — delicious.
And not only do cherries go really well in salsa, but they also add lots of good-for-you antioxidants, which is always a plus!
What is cherry salsa?
Cherry salsa is a variation of Mexican pico de gallo made with cherries instead of tomatoes. This fresh condiment is a chunky, uncooked mix of chopped cherries, onions, and green chillies combined with lime juice and cilantro.
How do you make cherry salsa?
To make fresh cherry salsa, combine chopped cherries, diced onions, serrano chilli peppers (or jalapenos), lime juice, and chopped coriander. Mix the ingredients together and leave to sit for 15-30 minutes for the flavours to meld.
Which are the best cherries to use for cherry salsa?
To make pico de gallo with cherries, use fresh and ripe cherries as they're sweet and juicy.
Sweet cherry varieties like Bing, Rainier, Lapins, Chelan, and Sweetheart are the best for preparing cherry salsa fresca.
Can I use frozen cherries for cherry salsa?
Yes, you can use frozen cherries if fresh ones are not available.
Frozen cherries can release a lot of juice as they thaw, which might make your salsa too watery. So, make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before using them in the salsa.
Once thawed, dice the cherries into small chunks similar to how you would prepare fresh cherries for salsa.
What is cherry salsa served with?
Cherry salsa is a versatile fresh condiment you can use in so many ways. Here are some tasty ideas to try!
As a Dip with:
Classic corn tortilla chips or these Black Bean Tortilla Chips
Vegetable sticks like celery, carrots, and peppers
Veggie chips like these Daikon Chips or Purple Sweet Potato Chips
Crackers like these Chia Seed Crackers
As a Topping or Filling for:
Burritos and Nachos
Tacos and Quesadillas, serve on top or on the side for dipping with these Jackfruit Quesadillas or Jackfruit Birria Tacos
Burgers and Sandwiches
Salads and Grain Bowls
Huevos rancheros, scrambled eggs or this Cauliflower Scramble
What else can I add to homemade cherry salsa?
Other ingredients that go well with cherries in pico de gallo include fruits like mango, pineapple, or avocado, vegetables like sweetcorn, red bell peppers, or cucumber, and spices like ground cumin and cinnamon.
Ingredients
| Fresh Sweet Cherries | 200 g |
| White Onions | 1/2 |
| Fresh Green Chillies (Serrano or Jalapeños) | 1 |
| Limes | 1/2 |
| Small Garlic Cloves | 1 |
| Fresh Coriander (Cilantro), chopped | 2 tbsp |
Step 1
Halve the fresh cherries, remove the pits, and finely dice the flesh.
Step 2
Next, finely chop the onions, mince the garlic, and juice the lime.
Cut the chillies in half lengthwise, scrape off the seeds, and finely chop them.
Step 3
Add the cherries, onions, chillies, garlic, and lime juice to a bowl.
Tip in finely chopped fresh coriander and mix well.
Season with salt to taste.
Step 4
Your homemade cherry salsa fresca is ready.
You can enjoy it right away or let it sit in the fridge for 15-30 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.
Serve this cherry pico de gallo with tortilla chips or tacos — find lots of tasty ideas in our FAQs!
Tips
You can blend one-third of the pitted cherries in a food processor for a more liquid salsa dip.
How to Store
Homemade fresh cherry salsa keeps well for 3 days in the fridge packed in an air-tight container or jar.
Ingredient Swaps
Onions: white onions are a classic, but you can replace them with red onions for a boost of antioxidants or use spring onions/scallions or shallots for a milder taste;
Lime juice: swap with lemon juice;
Green chillies: replace with fresh red chillies or even chilli flakes, using 1/4 tsp for 1 fresh chilli. Try ancho chillies for a sweet and smoky note;
Fresh coriander: fresh parsley or mint are good alternatives.
Like this Recipe?
If you're into spicy and tangy sauces like this cherry chilli salsa, you'll love these recipes too: