Fresh Cranberry Relish recipe made with 3 ingredients and ready in minutes! It is delicious served with turkey, chicken, ham, and pork. Make ahead friendly!
Cranberry recipes are favorites at my house throughout the holidays. From cranberry sauce, cranberry salsa, and cranberry rolls to this cranberry relish, we love them!
Why I Love this Recipe
This fresh cranberry relish is quick, easy, and simple to make. It is made of three fresh ingredients for a tart yet sweet taste that is so delicious.
Simple ingredients. Made of ingredients that are fresh, flavorful, and delicious.
Quick and easy. Minimal prep and about five minutes is all that is required with this easy recipe!
Sweet and tart. The combination of fresh cranberries and orange with a touch of sugar is all this amazing dish needs.
Table of Contents
What is the Difference Between Cranberry Sauce and Cranberry Relish?
My cranberry relish has ingredients similar to my cranberry sauce. However, the method to prepare it is very different. Cranberry sauce is cooked, while the cranberry relish is made with raw ingredients for a fresh taste.
Cranberry Relish: Made with fresh, raw ingredients. Slightly sweet, tart flavor.
Cranberry Sauce: Cooked over medium heat until the cranberries burst and the sauce is thick. Cranberry sauce that is thicker and sweeter.
Cranberry Salsa: Made with fresh ingredients. Includes cilantro, onion, and jalapeno for a spicy, zesty flavor.
How to Make Fresh Cranberry Relish Recipe
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Cranberries – You can use frozen cranberries if you do not have fresh ones. There is no need to thaw them.
- Orange – You’ll use a seedless orange, such as a Navel orange. Cut it into eight individual sections. You can reserve one of the sections to use as garnish. If the orange is large, use half of it.
- Sugar – Adjust the amount of sugar you use in the recipe to the level of sweetness desired.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Add the cranberries, orange sections, and 1/2 cup sugar to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse together until the cranberry relish reaches the desired consistency, but be careful not to over process or it can become mushy.
Taste and add more sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, until you reach the desired level of sweetness. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour for the flavors to develop before serving. See Storage Tips for how to make this recipe ahead of time or freeze for later.
What to Serve with Cranberry Relish
It is a delicious condiment for your Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas celebration. We love a few teaspoons with our Thanksgiving turkey or served with our leftovers in sandwiches. It is also perfect with roast chicken or served with sliced Christmas ham. You can also add a tablespoon or two to your morning yogurt or as a topping for buttermilk pancakes or biscuits.
Storage Tips
Store. Place the cranberry orange relish in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze. Place into a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Make Ahead Tip
Double the recipe. Use half for Thanksgiving and freeze half to use during Christmas!
Cranberry Relish Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) package cranberries
- 1 medium orange, seedless, cut into 8 sections, with the peeling left on
- 1/2 – 1 cup sugar, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Add the cranberries, 1/2 cup sugar, and 7 of the orange sections to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to desired consistency. Do not overprocess.
- Taste for sweetness and adjust to taste by stirring more sugar into the relish, a few tablespoons at a time to reach the desired level of sweetness.
- Transfer the cranberry relish to a serving bowl. Cut the final orange section into 2-3 thin slices as garnish. Serve.
Notes
Ingredient Notes:
Orange: If the orange is large, use half.Sugar: Adjust the sweetness to taste. I believe 1/2 cup sugar is sweet enough, but it depends on the sweetness of the orange.
Storage Tips:
Store. Place the cranberry orange relish in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Freeze. Place into a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
