Bright, tangy, and bursting with fresh flavor, this Cranberry Relish with oranges and apples comes together in minutes with only 4 ingredients! It adds a great refreshing pop of color and citrusy zing to your holiday table that's perfect paired with your roasted turkey or ham.
Once cranberries are in season and I see them flooding the grocery store, I know the holidays are around the corner. That means it's time to start planning holiday meals...my favorite! If you're looking for something that'll wake up your guests' plates, this cranberry orange relish is it! With heavier sides like Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, and Sweet Potato Casserole, this side is a great balance of zesty and light.
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What is Cranberry Relish
Cranberry relish is a fresh, uncooked version of cranberry sauce. We've all seen the slices of cranberry sauce from the can. This relish is an easy jazzed-up version that brings freshness to the table in minutes.
You may see it made with apples, pears, pecans, walnuts, or even flavored with ginger or cinnamon. Our family version of this recipe sticks to the basics - Ocean Spray Cranberries, Oranges, Green Apples, and Sugar.
Helpful Tips
To make the best homemade cranberry relish, stick to using fresh ingredients. Frozen cranberries will work, but be sure to thaw them first and pat them dry.
Make the relish ahead of serving time so it has time to cool in the fridge. Serving this dish cold is the way to go! It makes it more refreshing and gives the ingredients time to marry together.
Leave the peel on the orange. We're so used to removing the peels on oranges, but it's where the good stuff is hiding! Leaving it on adds flavor and fragrance. Consider using a thinner-skinned orange, like a navel or mandarin, if you want a less bitter taste.
Ingredients
To make your Ocean Spray Cranberry Relish Recipe, here's what you'll need:
- Cranberries - The star of the show! Use Ocean Spray cranberries if you can find them. I've found they have a great quality. Some food for thought, buy extra and freeze a bag. They are only in season for a short amount of time.
- Orange - The secret to this ingredient is to leave the peel on. Simply cut it into chunks and toss it in the blender. Use a navel orange so you aren't fighting seeds in the recipe.
- Apple - Granny Smith Apples make this recipe top-notch with their crisp, tart flavor. Unlike the orange, this ingredient will be peeled and cored.
- Sugar - Once everything is chopped, you'll combine it with sugar to sweeten things up and bring the relish together.
See recipe card for quantities.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Peel and core the apple, and then cut it into chunks. Leaving the peel on the orange, cut it into chunks and remove any seeds.
- One at a time, separately pulse the cranberries, chunks of orange, and chopped apple in the food processor (or blender). Lightly pulse, do not puree ingredients.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the cranberries, orange, and apple.
- Toss the relish with sugar. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours for the best results.
Pro Tip: Make it ahead of time. To me, the relish is better once it's sat for a day in the fridge.
Cooked this recipe? Let me know what you think!
Canning the Relish
Canning cranberry relish is possible, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
- It's important to make sure it's acidic enough. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the relish for safe canning.
- Relish needs to be simmered for 5-10 minutes before canning. You can't can raw relish.
- The texture will change. Simmering the relish will make it softer and mushier.
In summary, although canning cranberry relish is possible, I don't suggest it. Freezing the relish maintains the bright color and taste, and it's much easier!
Equipment and Supplies
- Food Processor - NutriBullet makes a 3-in-1 system. With this, you'll have a food processor, smoothie machine, and blender all in one.
- Large Mixing Bowls - Set of 3 Pyrex glass mixing bowls. I've found that having different sizes to work with has been helpful (I'm embarrassed to say how many sizes I actually have).
Storing Leftovers
TO REFRIGERATE. Because cranberry relish is naturally acidic, it can last in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, making it easily a make-ahead dish. Store it in an airtight container and serve cold.
TO FREEZE. When freezing the relish, I like to put it in a freezer-safe bag and remove as much of the air as possible. Pressing it flat in a bag, it makes for a quicker thawing process when you're ready to use it again.
TO THAW. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Serve cold.
More Holiday Dishes
More Versions of Relish
Cranberry Jalapeño Relish
A cranberry relish with jalapeño is a fun swap-up! This is a great pairing for my Creole Style Turkey Breast recipe. Use 1 cup of cranberries, 1 jalapeño, ½ cup of orange juice, 1 tablespoon lime juice, ½ cup cilantro, ¼ cup red onion, 1 garlic clove, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Cranberry Relish with Grand Marnier
You simply swap out the apple for an orange liquor for this one! Add in 2 ounces of Grand Marnier to this Ocean Spray cranberry relish recipe (minus apple), and you have yourself a relish with a kick! This one is great for spreading over turkey sandwiches or heated up over a brie cheese for an appetizer.
Cranberry Relish with Walnuts
There are quite a few relish recipes that include nuts. I prefer walnuts to any other because they have a firm, meaty crunch that holds up well in moist dishes like relishes. Walnuts don't get 'soggy' like pecans. To make your cranberry relish with walnuts, swap out the apple in my recipe for a ¼ cup of chopped walnuts and enjoy an extra crunch to your relish!
Video of Recipe
Recipe
Ocean Spray Cranberry Orange Relish
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Ocean Spray Cranberries
- 1 Green Apple peeled and cored
- ½ Navel Orange cut into chunks
- ½ Cup Sugar
Instructions
- Peel and core the apple and then cut it into chunks. Leaving the peel on the orange, cut it into chunks and remove any seeds.
- One at a time, separately pulse the cranberries, chunks of orange, and chopped apple in the food processor (or blender). Lightly pulse, do not puree ingredients.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together the cranberries, orange and apple.
- Toss the relish with sugar. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours for best results.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
The fewer seeds, the better! I suggest using Valencia or naval oranges, but mandarins, clementines, and cuties work well too. If you're worried about the peel being too bitter in your relish, use an orange with a thinner peel (mandarins, clementines, and cuties).
Chef Tim Clowers says
Easy, Fresh, Delicious and comes together in less than 5 minutes.
Casey L says
So excited to try this for Thanksgiving! Saving this one!
Mary says
Very good used as a spread for a turkey sandwich!
CookitwithTim says
Excellent idea Mary!!
Michael Lacienski says
looks like it will be awesome on leftover turkey sandwiches! can't wait to try it!
CookitwithTim says
Gotta let me know how yours turns out!