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Tart & Tangy Cherry Salsa Canning Recipe
Tart & Tangy Cherry Salsa combines tart cherries, jalapeño, lime, garlic, cilantro, and red onion into a vibrant sweet-and-savory salsa perfect for dipping, grilling, entertaining, and appetizer spreads. This unique home-canned salsa recipe balances sweetness, heat, and bright acidity while safely preserving bold flavor for year-round enjoyment.
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By Diane Devereaux | The Canning Diva®
Last updated: May 13, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Tart cherries create a bold sweet-and-savory salsa with bright flavor and natural acidity.
- Jalapeño, lime, cilantro, and garlic balance the sweetness of the cherries beautifully.
- This salsa pairs exceptionally well with pork, cream cheese appetizers, grilled meats, and tortilla chips.
- Frozen tart cherries work wonderfully in this recipe and help simplify preparation.
- Both pints and half-pints may be safely preserved using a boiling water bath canner.
Why Cherry Salsa Works So Beautifully
Fruit salsa surprises people the first time they try it. There is something almost addictive about the balance of sweet heat, bright acidity, and savory depth happening all at once on the palate. Tart cherries especially shine in salsa because they bring natural tanginess without becoming overly sugary or heavy.
This recipe has become one of my personal favorites because it goes far beyond a simple tortilla chip dip. The cherries soften slightly during cooking while still maintaining texture, creating a salsa that feels vibrant, fresh, and incredibly versatile. The lime juice brightens every bite while the jalapeño and garlic provide just enough warmth to balance the fruit.
One of my favorite ways to serve this salsa is spooned over a block of cream cheese with crackers for an effortless appetizer. It is equally delicious stuffed inside pork loin, served alongside grilled chicken, or paired with smoky meats fresh off the grill. The tart cherries give the salsa a depth that feels both unexpected and comforting at the same time.
Cherries also contain naturally occurring antioxidants and anthocyanins, which contribute both their deep color and their nutritional appeal. Combined with fresh aromatics and herbs, this salsa becomes one of those pantry recipes people remember long after the jar is empty.
Tart & Tangy Cherry Salsa Recipe
Yield: Approximately 4 pints or 8 half-pints
Ingredients
- 8 cups tart frozen cherries, thawed
- 4 Tablespoons raw sugar
- 1 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large jalapeno, finely chopped (keep seeds for more heat)
- 1 cup cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
- Once at a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often.
- Using a slotted spoon, fill each jar 3/4 full of salsa.
- Ladle remaining juice over salsa keeping 1/2″ headspace.
- Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace as necessary.
- Wipe jar rims will a warm wash cloth dipped in vinegar and adhere lids and rings. Hand tighten.
- Water bath pints for 20 minutes and half-pints for 15 minutes. Remember, the timer doesn’t start until water is at a full rolling boil.
Serving Ideas
Tart & Tangy Cherry Salsa is delicious served:
- with tortilla chips
- over cream cheese with crackers
- stuffed inside pork loin
- alongside grilled chicken or pork
- spooned over tacos
- paired with smoked meats
- on burgers or sandwiches
- with charcuterie boards
Tart & Tangy Cherry Salsa Canning Recipe
This Tart & Tangy Cherry Salsa combines tart cherries, jalapeño, lime, garlic, and cilantro into a bold sweet-and-savory salsa perfect for tortilla chips, grilled meats, tacos, cream cheese appetizers, and more. Bright, vibrant, and full of flavor, this home-canned salsa brings a delicious balance of sweetness, heat, and tang to every bite.
Servings
4 pints or 8 half-pints
servingsPrep time
30
minutesIngredients
8 cups 8 tart frozen cherries, thawed
4 Tablespoons 4 raw sugar
1 1/4 cup 1 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
3 large 3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large 1 jalapeno, finely chopped (keep seeds for more heat)
1 cup 1 cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup 1/4 lime juice
1/2 teaspoon 1/2 sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
- Once at a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often.
- Using a slotted spoon, fill each jar 3/4 full of salsa.
- Ladle remaining juice over salsa keeping 1/2″ headspace.
- Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace as necessary.
- Wipe jar rims will a warm wash cloth dipped in vinegar and adhere lids and rings. Hand tighten.
- Water bath pints for 20 minutes and half-pints for 15 minutes. Remember, the timer doesn’t start until water is at a full rolling boil.
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People Often Ask
Q: Can you make salsa with frozen cherries?
A: Yes, frozen tart cherries work beautifully in homemade salsa recipes. Once thawed, they release flavorful juices while still maintaining enough texture for a chunky salsa consistency.
Q: What does cherry salsa taste like?
A: Cherry salsa balances sweet, tart, savory, and mildly spicy flavors all at once. The tart cherries pair beautifully with jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice to create a bright, bold salsa perfect for both appetizers and savory meals.
About the Author:
Diane Devereaux, The Canning Diva®, is an internationally recognized food preservation expert, author, and educator with over 30 years of home canning experience. She’s the author of multiple top-selling canning books and teaches workshops across the U.S. Learn more at TheCanningDiva.com.
