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

    How long will 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 to make cranberry relish less tart? ›

    And one last overlooked remedy for cranberry sauce: a pinch of salt. While you won't taste it, salt helps equalize the sweet-tart flavor of your cranberry sauce while making it a better pairing for the rest of your savory sides and, of course, the turkey.

    What is in Publix cranberry orange relish? ›

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

    How much sugar is in cranberry orange relish? ›

    Nutrition Facts
    Serves about 6amount%dv
    Total Sugars25 g
    Includes22 g Added Sugars44%
    Protein0 g
    Vitamin D0%
    10 more rows

    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.

    Does relish go bad if not refrigerated after opening? ›

    Yes, relish needs to be refrigerated if it is opened. If it's not opened, you can store it, unrefrigerated, in a cool dry place. But come on, no one wants warm relish. Just keep that sucker in the fridge.

    What cancels out tartness? ›

    How Do You Neutralize Sour Taste in Food? If a dish is too sour, add a little bit of sugar! Sweetness balances out sour flavors, so if something makes your mouth pucker, a dash of sugar may help soften the blow of the sour food.

    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 takes the bitterness out of cranberries? ›

    One of the best foils for bitter flavors are acidic ingredients, like citrus juices or vinegars.

    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.

    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.

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

    The best part is that this cranberry relish recipe doesn't require any cooking! On the contrary, cranberry sauce is made with cranberries (and only sometimes oranges!), a variety of spices, a good amount of sweetener, and a thickener, which is then cooked and stewed over the heat until jelly-like.

    Can diabetics eat cranberry relish? ›

    The Bottom Line. If you have diabetes, you can still enjoy cranberry sauce, but with a few considerations. First, most traditional cranberry sauces have lots of added sugar, so offer to make it yourself for the holiday gathering so you can control how much is added.

    What to eat with cranberry orange relish? ›

    Pair your fresh cranberry orange relish with roasted turkey and all the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes, such as mashed potatoes. What about the leftovers? Use it as a topping for pancakes or toast, as a sauce for chicken or beef, or as an addition to a fall-themed charcuterie board.

    Do orange juice and cranberry juice taste good together? ›

    This festive seasonal cranberry orange drink is a great way to get the antioxidants of cranberries and the anti-inflammatory power of oranges all in one glass. Sweet, tart, and delicious! It's not often that you'll discover a holiday recipe that's also actually good for you, but that's what you've stumbled upon here!

    How long does homemade relish last in the fridge? ›

    Refrigeration: Opened relish should be refrigerated at temperatures below 40°F (4°C). It can last for up to a year without significant quality loss.

    How long does jellied cranberry last in fridge? ›

    To refrigerate, transfer to a covered glass or plastic container, and it'll keep for 10 to 14 days. To freeze, transfer to a covered, airtight container or freezer-safe bag, and it'll stay fresh-tasting in your freezer for about 1 month. Beyond that, it's still safe to eat (though less fresh-tasting) for up to a year.

    How long will cranberries last in the refrigerator? ›

    Fresh cranberries are usually good stored in the refrigerator for two weeks. If kept longer, you will find a gradual deterioration of quality with more soft or bruised berries. Berries can be stored in the original packaging in the refrigerator crisper for up to four weeks.

    Does cranberry juice go bad in the fridge? ›

    It is no surprise that a cranberry juice container has a lot of moisture which creates an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria. As such, it is relatively quick to expire. You can expect your cranberry juice to last anywhere from eight to twelve days.

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