This incredibly easy, three-ingredient Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish recipe stands out as the ultimate holiday side dish. Prepare to impress your guests with this vibrant, sweet, and tart condiment that comes together in less than five minutes, making your holiday meal prep a breeze!
Effortless Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish: Your Go-To Holiday Recipe
As I recently reviewed our cherished collection of holiday side dishes, I was surprised to find that some of our most beloved, yearly traditions had yet to be shared. Among them was this delightful fresh cranberry relish – a truly indispensable recipe that has become my personal go-to for its unparalleled ease and incredible flavor. It’s the kind of dish that consistently receives rave reviews, yet takes mere minutes to prepare, freeing you up to enjoy the festive season.
This versatile fresh cranberry relish is an absolute staple for any festive gathering. Whether you’re planning an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner, a cozy Christmas feast, or simply looking to elevate your leftover turkey sandwiches, this recipe delivers every time. Imagine spreading this bright, tangy relish on a rich turkey sandwich – it’s a game-changer! While this year’s Thanksgiving may have passed, the joy of sharing this simple yet impactful recipe remains, ensuring you’re well-prepared for future holidays and everyday deliciousness.
One of the many reasons to adore this homemade cranberry relish is its fantastic make-ahead potential. You can easily prepare it days in advance, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen beautifully. Just remember to give it a quick stir and perhaps drain a little liquid from the bottom before serving, as the fresh fruit tends to release its juices over time. This advance preparation means less stress on the big day, letting you focus on other dishes or, more importantly, spending quality time with loved ones.
A quick confession: you might notice a delightful abundance of cranberry recipes appearing on our site soon! This isn’t just a coincidence. During a recent grocery haul at Trader Joe’s, I may have enthusiastically purchased several bags of fresh cranberries, only to return home and discover a giant Costco bag already stashed away in the fridge, completely forgotten. So, prepare for a cranberry celebration! As long as the Spokane weather cooperates for some good photography, these vibrant cranberry creations will keep coming.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Cranberry Orange Relish
Creating this epic Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish requires only a handful of simple ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its minimalist approach, allowing the natural flavors of the cranberries and oranges to truly shine. For precise measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, you’ll find a printable recipe card further down this page.
Core Ingredients:
- Fresh Cranberries: The star of our relish, providing that quintessential tartness. Always opt for firm, bright red cranberries for the best flavor and texture.
- Navel Orange, Seedless: This provides a wonderful citrusy complement. Using the whole orange, including the peel, infuses the relish with a deep, aromatic orange essence. Seedless varieties simplify preparation.
- Granulated Sugar: Essential for balancing the tartness of the cranberries and orange. You can adjust the amount to suit your personal preference, creating a relish that’s perfectly sweet-tart.
Optional Garnishes and Flavor Enhancers:
While delicious on its own, a few simple additions can elevate your relish even further:
- Orange Zest: A sprinkle of fresh orange zest on top adds a burst of intense citrus aroma and a beautiful visual appeal.
- Fresh Cranberries: A few whole fresh cranberries can be scattered over the top for an attractive presentation and a delightful textural contrast.
Creative Optional Add-Ins for Unique Flavor Profiles:
For those who love to experiment, this cranberry orange relish is incredibly versatile. Consider these additions to customize your relish:
- Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: These nuts introduce a delightful crunch and earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the fruit. Toast them lightly beforehand for an even richer taste.
- Fresh Ginger: A small amount of grated fresh ginger adds a warm, spicy kick, complementing the tartness of the cranberries beautifully. Start with a pinch and add more to taste.
- Sweet and Crisp Apple or Pears: Finely chopped apples or pears, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, can add extra sweetness, crispness, and a lovely fruity dimension.
- Pineapple: A small amount of finely diced fresh or canned (drained) pineapple brings a tropical sweetness and a juicy texture that enhances the relish.
- Ground Cinnamon: Just a pinch of cinnamon can introduce a subtle warmth and classic holiday spice note, harmonizing with the cranberries and orange.
- Splash of Grand Marnier (or similar orange liqueur): For an adult-friendly version, a tablespoon or two of Grand Marnier or Cointreau can add a sophisticated depth of orange flavor and a pleasant boozy warmth. (Learn more about Grand Marnier here.)
Essential Equipment for Making Cranberry Orange Relish
One of the best things about this recipe is how little specialized equipment it requires. The star player in your kitchen will be a food processor, which makes quick work of chopping the ingredients. Beyond that, you’ll likely have everything else on hand.
- Food Processor: This is crucial for achieving the perfect consistency. We personally recommend the Ninja Food Processor for its efficiency and durability, but any reliable food processor will do the trick.
- Serving Bowl: For presenting your beautiful relish.
- Spatula: Useful for scraping down the sides of the food processor and mixing the relish.
- Sharp Knife: For prepping the orange.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Homemade Cranberry Orange Relish
Making this fresh cranberry orange relish is incredibly straightforward, even for novice cooks. The key is a good food processor and a light hand when chopping. Below is a quick overview of the process, but remember that the full, detailed instructions are available on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Step 1: Prepare the Fruits. Begin by thoroughly washing your fresh cranberries. Carefully inspect them and remove any stray stems, leaves, or cranberries that feel soft or mushy. You want firm, vibrant berries for the best relish texture. Next, take your seedless navel orange and cut it into 4 to 8 manageable pieces. There’s no need to peel it! The white pith and the orange rind contain essential oils that contribute significantly to the relish’s deep, aromatic flavor. Place both the cleaned cranberries and the orange sections into the bowl of your food processor.
Step 2: Process to Perfection. Secure the lid on your food processor and begin to pulse the cranberries and orange slices. The goal is to finely chop them, but be careful not to over-process. Pulsing in short bursts allows you to control the texture. You can achieve a consistency that is as fine or as coarse as you prefer, but avoid turning the mixture into a complete mush. We’re aiming for a relish with distinct, yet finely diced, pieces of fruit.
Finding the right texture is key here. A few more pulses can make a big difference, so monitor closely. Once you’ve reached your desired texture – a lovely mix of finely chopped fruit with some small pieces of orange rind visible – you’re ready for the final touch.
Step 3: Sweeten and Season. With the cranberries and orange perfectly chopped, it’s time to add the sugar. Begin by adding about half of the recommended sugar to the food processor. Pulse a few times to incorporate it, then taste the relish mixture. Fresh cranberries and oranges vary in tartness, so this is where you can truly customize the flavor. Gradually add in more sugar, tasting after each addition, until you achieve the ideal balance of sweet and tart that you enjoy. Some prefer a bolder, tarter relish, while others might lean towards a sweeter profile. This step allows you to make it truly your own.
Understanding the Difference: Cranberry Relish vs. Cranberry Sauce
While often used interchangeably, there’s a distinct difference between cranberry relish and cranberry sauce, primarily in their preparation and resulting texture and flavor. Our Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish is a “raw” or “no-cook” version. It’s made by combining fresh, uncooked ingredients – cranberries, oranges, and sugar – after they’ve been finely chopped in a food processor. This method preserves the bright, zesty, and intensely tart flavors of the raw fruit, offering a crisp texture and a vibrant taste experience. It’s a fantastic option for those who appreciate the natural freshness of cranberries.
In contrast, traditional homemade cranberry sauce involves cooking down cranberries, sugar, and often water or orange juice over heat. This cooking process softens the cranberries, releases their pectin, and allows the sugars to caramelize, resulting in a thicker, often gelatinous texture and a sweeter, more mellow flavor profile. While both are delicious, cranberry relish offers a refreshing, brighter, and more textural alternative that many find invigorating for holiday meals.
Serving Temperature: Hot or Cold?
The beauty of Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish lies in its versatility. We typically serve it at room temperature or chilled, as its vibrant, fresh flavors are best appreciated when cool. However, it’s entirely delicious if allowed to warm up slightly during a meal. Unlike cranberry sauce, which is sometimes served warm, relish’s raw nature makes it perfectly suited for a cooler presentation.
Preparation & Storage: Making Ahead and Freezing
Ease and convenience are hallmarks of this cranberry orange relish recipe, especially when it comes to preparation and storage. Its make-ahead friendly nature is a huge bonus during the busy holiday season.
Make Ahead & Storage: This Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish is an ideal candidate for advance preparation. You can easily make it several days before your event, allowing the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You might notice some liquid collecting at the bottom as the fruit settles; simply drain this off or give it a good stir before serving for the best consistency.
Freezing & How to Freeze: For even longer storage, this relish freezes wonderfully. Transfer the prepared relish into a freezer-safe container, leaving a little headspace, and store it in the freezer for two to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw the relish in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, give it a good stir, and it’s ready to brighten up your meal!
Recipe Variations: Customizing Your Cranberry Orange Relish
One of the joys of cooking is the ability to adapt recipes to your taste and dietary needs. This cranberry orange relish is incredibly flexible, allowing for numerous delicious variations.
Orange Substitutions: While a Navel orange is recommended for its sweetness and lack of seeds, feel free to experiment with other orange varieties. Mandarin oranges will lend a slightly sweeter, less tart profile, while blood oranges can add a stunning color and unique berry-like undertones. Any sweet, seedless orange you enjoy will work beautifully.
Vegetarian & Vegan Option: This holiday side dish is naturally 100% vegetarian and vegan! Its simple composition of fresh cranberries, an orange, and white sugar ensures it fits perfectly into plant-based diets without any modifications, making it a crowd-pleaser for everyone at the table.
Gluten-Free: Being a fruit-based recipe, this cranberry orange relish is inherently gluten-free. It’s a safe and delicious option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, requiring no special adjustments.
Alcohol-Free Option: Our original recipe is completely alcohol-free, making it suitable for all ages. However, for those looking to add an adult twist, a splash of triple sec, Grand Marnier, or even a good quality bourbon can introduce a sophisticated layer of flavor. These additions work particularly well if the relish is intended for an adult-only gathering, lending warmth and complexity.
Adjusting Serving Size: The base recipe yields approximately three cups of this delightful sweet and tart relish, which typically serves six people generously. It’s incredibly easy to scale up or down depending on your needs. For a smaller gathering, simply halve the ingredients. For a larger crowd or if you want plenty of leftovers, double or triple the recipe with confidence – the preparation method remains the same.
Sugar-Free or Reduced Sugar: The written recipe contains about 57 grams of sugar per serving, including naturally occurring sugars from the cranberries and orange. If you’re looking to reduce sugar intake, you can replace some or all of the white sugar with a sugar-free alternative like erythritol or stevia, adjusting to taste. Start with less and add more as needed, as alternative sweeteners can have varying levels of potency.
Top Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Relish
To ensure your cranberry orange relish turns out perfectly every time, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Use Raw Cranberries: This recipe specifically calls for raw cranberries. Using cooked cranberries would change the texture and result in something closer to a traditional cranberry sauce recipe rather than a fresh relish. The raw berries provide that signature vibrant tartness and crisp bite.
- Don’t Over-Process: When using the food processor, pulse rather than continuously blend. This gives you better control over the texture, ensuring you get finely chopped pieces instead of a pureed mush.
- Taste and Adjust Sweetness: Cranberries can vary in tartness, and personal preferences for sweetness differ. Always add sugar gradually and taste the relish as you go, adjusting until it reaches your perfect sweet-tart balance.
- The Whole Orange is Key: Don’t skip including the orange peel and pith! These parts hold essential oils that contribute significantly to the relish’s complex, aromatic citrus flavor. Just be sure to use a seedless orange.
- Serve with Cream Cheese for an Appetizer: For a quick and impressive appetizer, spoon this bright relish over a block of softened cream cheese and serve with an assortment of crackers. It’s a delightful sweet and savory combination that’s perfect for entertaining.
When and What to Serve with Fresh Cranberry Relish
This 3-ingredient Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish is incredibly versatile and shines brightest during the holiday season, though its fresh flavor can be enjoyed year-round. Here are some fantastic ways to serve it:
- Charcuterie Boards: Its bright color and sweet-tart flavor make it a wonderful addition to any cheese and meat board, offering a tangy counterpoint to rich cheeses and savory cured meats.
- With Pork: The acidity of the relish beautifully cuts through the richness of pork dishes, whether it’s a roasted pork loin or succulent pork chops.
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Elevate your pulled pork sandwiches by adding a generous dollop of this relish for an explosion of flavor.
- With Roast Turkey: A classic pairing! This relish is a lighter, fresher alternative to traditional cranberry sauce, perfect alongside your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey.
- With Ham: The sweet and tart notes complement the saltiness of ham wonderfully, making it an excellent accompaniment for holiday hams.
- Stirred into Yogurt: For a delightful breakfast or snack, stir some relish into plain Greek yogurt for a burst of fruity flavor.
- On Top of Belgian Waffles: Transform your breakfast or brunch by spooning this vibrant relish over warm Belgian waffles with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Spoon Over a Block of Cream Cheese for a Dip with Crackers: As mentioned, this is a super easy and delicious appetizer that’s always a hit.
- On Top of Your Favorite Pancakes: Just like waffles, pancakes get an instant upgrade with this fresh, fruity topping.
- Over Ice Cream: For a surprisingly delicious dessert, drizzle some cranberry orange relish over vanilla ice cream – a simple yet sophisticated treat.
- With Chicken: Add a bright, zesty twist to grilled or roasted chicken dishes.
- Thanksgiving Side Dish: An absolute essential for the Thanksgiving table, offering a fresh contrast to richer dishes.
- Christmas Dinner Side: Equally at home on the Christmas dinner spread, adding festive color and flavor.
- Leftover Turkey Sandwiches: Turn ordinary leftovers into an extraordinary meal with a smear of this bright relish.
Explore More Great Side Dish Recipes
If you loved this easy holiday side, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delicious recipes to complete your meal. Check out some of our other popular side dish creations:
- Cranberry Fluff Salad
- Pear Salad
- Carrot Soufflé
- Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole
- Jiffy Cornbread
- Creamed Corn Casserole
- Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to explore our extensive collection, including copycat recipes for your favorite restaurant dishes, indulgent dessert recipes, and convenient CrockPot Recipes for busy weeknights.
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Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish
5 minutes
5 minutes
6
225
kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 12 Ounce Cranberries fresh
- 1 orange seedless
- 1 cup White Sugar (Optional: adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Thoroughly clean cranberries, removing any stems or soft/mushy berries.
- Cut the orange (including peel and pith) into 8 pieces and place it in the food processor with the cranberries.
- Pulse the cranberries and orange until finely chopped to your desired consistency; avoid over-processing into a mush.
- Gradually add sugar, tasting as you go, until you achieve your preferred sweet-tart balance.
- Transfer the relish to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Kitchen Tools
- Food Processor (or Blender with a pulsing function)
Nutrition Facts
Calories from Fat 9
2%
6%
1%
2%
19%
4%
63%
2%
1%
16%
1%
6%
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