5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange (2024)

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ByCheryl Avrich Updated on

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This sweet and tangy no-cook cranberry relish recipe with fresh orange is quick and easy with only 3 simple ingredients. It’s a must for Thanksgiving turkey and the holiday season. And a perfect chicken and pork condiment.

I love that the recipe only takes 5 minutes with no cooking and it can be made well ahead of time.

5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange (1)

I know I am biased, but I think you have come to the right place for the best cranberry relish out there 🙂

This Thanksgiving staple with fresh ingredients takes just a few more minutes than opening a can of standard cranberry sauce.And it tastes WAY better in my humble opinion 🙂

I’ve been using this recipe on our holiday table for eons for our annual Canadian and American Thanksgiving dinners. The fresh flavor is a perfect balance for a heavy meal.

What to expect

The cranberry relish has a wonderful fresh, sweet-tart taste that provides a refreshing and vibrant contrast to the richness of other foods. We are using the entire orange, but the orange zest really makes it sing.

With only 3 ingredients, this easy recipe takes about 5 minutes to make in a food processor.

Ingredients – tailored to your taste

5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange (2)

Variations and substitutes

  • For a sweetener, you can use white sugar, brown sugar or maple syrup.
  • Adjust the sweetness to balance the tart cranberries and orange peel. Start with half the sugar and add more as needed.
  • Try adding a little bit of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the relish.
  • Blend in some pecans, walnuts or fresh apples for a bit of crunch.

Step by step instructions

5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange (3)
5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange (4)
5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange (5)
5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange (6)

Make Ahead

  • Make the cranberry orange relish recipe early in the day to let the flavors blend if you have time, but don’t worry if you have to do it at the last minute. It still tastes great.
  • It freezes well for up to a year or can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks.

What to serve with cranberry relish

Well, it’s perfect with turkey recipes at Thanksgiving dinner of course – or any holiday meal. Here are some favorite turkey recipes: grilled turkey breast or sous vide turkey breast or sous vide turkey thighs. And check out these Thanksgiving side dishes to help build the rest of your holiday menu.

It is also great with pork chops, rack of pork, roast chicken and potatoes and marinated grilled chicken.

And don’t forget the fresh cranberry relish on turkey sandwiches and other leftover Thanksgiving recipes – think casseroles. Or spread on a warm melty brie cheese as a starter for Christmas dinner.

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between cranberry relish and cranberry sauce?

Fresh cranberry relish is uncooked and served at room temperature or cold as a condiment or side dish. It has a chunky texture and a tangy and sweet taste. Cranberry sauce is cooked down to a smoother consistency, sometimes jelly-like texture and is usually sweeter.

Can fresh cranberries be frozen?

Yes, fresh cranberries can be kept in the fridge for 2 weeks and frozen for up to a year. For the best taste and freshness, try to buy them between September and December.

What is the best orange to use for cranberry orange relish?

You can use any orange, but a navel is the most common as it’s sweet, seedless and available in most grocery stores.

5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange (7)

More great condiments

  • fresh herb sauce (5 minutes)
  • peach chutney
  • savory peach sauce
  • roasted red pepper dip or sauce
  • sriracha aioli (3 ingredients)

If you prefer a cooked cranberry sauce, try this 5-ingredient cranberry sauce recipe.

If you like this recipe, please leave a 5 star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟in the recipe card below. And if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments. Thanks very much!

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4.89 from 18 votes

5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange

This sweet and tangy no-cook cranberry relish recipe with fresh orange is quick and easy with only 3 ingredients. It's a must for Thanksgiving turkey and a perfect chicken and pork condiment.

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Condiments, Sauces

Cuisine: American, Vegetarian

Servings: 12

Author: Cheryl Avrich

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh cranberries, typically 1 package (750 ml) (or use frozen, rinsed and patted dry)
  • 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup sugar or maple syrup, or to taste you may not need it all

US MeasuresMetric

Instructions

  • PREPARE THE FRUIT: Rinse cranberries in a mesh strainer and pat dry. Wash orange. Cut in quarters. You will be using the whole orange, including the peel. If the white pith under the orange peel is thick, cut off most of it (it's bitter).

  • MAKE THE CRANBERRY RELISH: Place cranberries, orange and 1/4 cup of sugar (50 grams) in the processor. Process for a minute or two. Taste and add more sugar to taste to balance tartness of the cranberries. Process for a few more seconds. Pour into a serving dish, cover and refrigerate until ready to use. If you have time, let it sit for a few hours to let the flavors blend (but this is not necessary if time is short). Serve cold or at room temperature.

    Makes about 3 cups

Recipe Notes

  1. Variations and substitutes:
    • For a sweetener, you can use white sugar, brown sugar or maple syrup.
    • Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the relish.
    • Blend in some pecans, walnuts or fresh apples for a bit of crunch.
    • Make ahead: It’s best to make cranberry orange relish a couple of hours ahead to let the flavors blend. It can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks and can be frozen in an airtight container or ziploc for up to a year.

    Nutrition values are estimates based on approximately 1/4 cup/60 grams per serving. The total recipe makes about 3 cups.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

    Tried this recipe?We’d love you to rate it above under ‘rate this recipe’ or in the comment section below. Thanks!

    5-Minute Cranberry Relish Recipe With Fresh Orange (2024)

    FAQs

    What is in Publix cranberry orange relish? ›

    Ingredients. Cranberries, Sugar, Orange Juice Concentrate, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Citric Acid, Sodium Ascorbate (to Maintain Color).

    How long will fresh cranberry relish keep in the refrigerator? ›

    To make-ahead: Cranberry relish can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To freeze: Store cranberry relish in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months. To use, remove it from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator.

    How can I thicken my cranberry relish? ›

    Try reducing the sauce down even further so more of the liquid cooks off and the mixture thickens. If that doesn't work, add a thickener like gelatin, pectin or a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch whisked into juice or water). Let the sauce cool before refrigerating to completely set.

    What is cranberry relish made of? ›

    There's no cooking involved, just using a grinder or a food processor to grind up and mix together raw cranberries, tart green apples, a large seedless orange, and sugar. It's amazing how good it is! Great with roast turkey, or for leftovers on turkey sandwiches.

    Can you freeze Trader Joe's cranberry orange relish? ›

    It's a seasonal item that only comes out around Thanksgiving, but people stock up on this uncooked cranberry-orange relish and freeze it to eat year-round.

    How much cranberry relish per person? ›

    How Much Cranberry Sauce Do I Need Per Person? If you're making fresh cranberry sauce, plan on at least 1/4 cup per person—more if your family really likes cranberry sauce. I usually make about 1/2 cup per person and find I have plenty left over for a few days of slathering cranberry sauce over everything.

    Can you freeze homemade cranberry relish? ›

    refrigerator up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 6 months. Serve with ham or poultry.

    Can I freeze leftover cranberry relish? ›

    Yes, you can freeze homemade cranberry sauce—and it works well. It's best to store it in the freezer for up to 3 months; the taste may be affected due to its water content if frozen longer. Keep this in mind when putting away your leftover sauce and use it during this optimal period as part of an easy weeknight dinner.

    Do you eat cranberry relish hot or cold? ›

    Either! Some prefer to have it served fresh and warm, straight out of the pot, while others need it completely cooled down to enjoy the flavours. Personally, we prefer cooled sauce.

    Why does my cranberry sauce taste bitter? ›

    Dear Evelyn: I had the same problem when I first started making my own cranberry sauce. I found out that you should cook them just until they pop. Further cooking will make them bitter, and once that happens, you need to start again.

    How do you get the bitter taste out of cranberry sauce? ›

    "Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness)."

    Why is my homemade cranberry sauce watery? ›

    Mistake #2: Your Cranberry Sauce Is Too Runny

    You may have added too much liquid to the cranberries. In addition to pectin, cranberries contain water, which means you only need to add a splash of liquid to get the cooking going. Add too much and you'll be stirring at the stove much longer than expected.

    Is cranberry relish good for you? ›

    Cranberries naturally contain the flavonoid, proanthocyanidin (PAC) and other polyphenols that have potential health benefits such as fighting infection and healthy aging. 1 cup of fresh, chopped cranberries has 5.1 g of fiber, 94 mg of potassium and over 20% of the daily value of vitamin C.

    Is relish just blended pickles? ›

    A 'relish' is a condiment made of chopped, tiny diced, vegetables that are generally pickled. It's often a saucy thing. There's not really a single product called 'relish', as it can be made of anything.

    What is the difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish? ›

    The main difference is a sauce is typically blended in a food processor for a smoother consistency similar to a condiment or a liquid. Where as a relish is usually a chunkier sauce and tends to have some amount of sugar or vinegar to act as a preserve.

    What are the ingredients in Publix orange juice? ›

    Ingredients. Water, Orange Juice Concentrate.

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