This sweet apple salsa (with a zesty kick) is a fun way to mix up how you eat raw apples! You won’t believe how delicious the ingredients, including red onion, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, ginger, parsley, and a touch of maple syrup, taste together. It’s perfect spooned over pork, chicken, or fish, added to fall harvest or grain bowls, or enjoyed as a snack with chips!
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Lizzie’s Notes
I’ve always been a fan of apples with ginger, whether in soups (see my Apple Carrot Ginger Soup), baked goods, or marinades. So while testing new recipes for the fall, I started to brainstorm ideas for pairing raw apples with fresh ginger to experience these flavors in a way that’s different than their usual preparations (i.e. cooked).
This fresh apple salsa was the result of my brainstorming sesh, and it’s truly a winner!!! There’s still red onion that you’d find in other salsas, but lemon juice and apple cider vinegar replace the lime juice. Parsley is used in lieu of cilantro, and fresh ginger adds the kick you’d usually get from garlic.
It’s so flavorful and fresh-tasting, whether you’re scooping it up with a tortilla chip or adding it as a topping to a variety of dishes. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Apples: For a sweeter taste, use red apples such as Honeycrisp. If you want a tarter taste, use green apples or a combo of red and green.
- Red onion: Substitute white onion or green onions if needed.
- Parsley: Cilantro can also be used in apple salsa.
- Apple cider vinegar + maple syrup: I like to mix these two ingredients together for a little touch of sweetness. You can substitute regular apple cider in place of the mixture, or swap in honey or brown sugar for the maple syrup if that’s what you have.
- Ginger: I highly recommend using fresh ginger, but you could substitute about a teaspoon of ground ginger if that’s all you have.
- Lemon juice: Use more apple cider vinegar or even lime juice if you don’t have a lemon.
Instructions
The full recipe card for apple salsa is at the bottom of the post. Scroll down to see it. Here’s a preview of the steps with photos to guide you.
Cut the apples into small cubes and finely dice the red onion.
Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir well.
Storage
Apple salsa will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The lemon juice helps prevent the apples from getting too brown, but they may still get a little discolored over time.
Serving
Try apple salsa spooned over pork tenderloin or pork chops or on top of baked salmon. It’s also a great addition to fall salads or grain bowls made with shredded chicken (or leftover Thanksgiving turkey), brown rice, greens, and cheddar cheese.
Last but not least, you can of course enjoy it with chips like other salsas! It’s especially delicious with regular tortilla chips or cinnamon sugar pita chips as a Halloween party snack or Thanksgiving appetizer.
More Apple Recipes
Here are some other great ways to use apples while you’re here:
📖 Recipe
Apple Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 large apples - about 1 pound; cut into small cubes
- ½ cup finely diced red onion - from about ½ a small red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon finely diced fresh ginger - from a 1-inch peeled piece
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice - from 1 small lemon
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare all of the ingredients that need to be chopped and diced. Gather the rest of the ingredients. Mix together the apple cider vinegar and maple syrup in a small bowl.
- Add cubed apples, diced red onion, chopped parsley, diced ginger, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and maple syrup combo, and salt to a mixing bowl. Stir well.
- Enjoy right away or after chilling in the refrigerator for an hour or so!
- Leave a rating or review by tapping the stars on this recipe card (above) or in the comments section (at the end of the post)!
Notes
- Serving: Enjoy on top of pork, salmon, or grain bowls, or eat as a snack with tortilla chips or cinnamon sugar pita chips!
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. In my experience, the lemon juice prevents the apples from getting brown but they may still get a little discolored after a couple days.
- Optional additions: Pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, or chopped walnuts or pecans
Modern Food Catering
Wow this looks so healthy and easy to make. Will definitely give it a try
Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN
I hope you love it!