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    Home » Side Dishes » Homemade Cranberry Orange Relish

    Homemade Cranberry Orange Relish

    Published: Nov 6, 2013 · Modified: Nov 10, 2020 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    Fresh, with a sweet-tart flavor, this homemade cranberry orange relish is not only easy to make but the perfect cranberry side dish to serve with your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey.

    Cranberry Orange Relish in white bowl next to fall towel and leaf.

    Fresh Cranberry Sauce

    What are some of the standards that you think about when getting ready for Thanksgiving. Of course there's bag roasted turkey and homemade turkey dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole with French style green beans, and, lastly, cranberry sauce.

    Now, most people don't think about making their own homemade cranberry sauce for this special occasion but it's way easier than you think.

    Overhead of cranberry relish in white bowl with Thanksgiving towel.

    The nice thing about making your own is all the ingredients are fresh and you can adjust it to your liking, making it as tart or sweet as you want. It's chock full of fresh chunks of tart cranberries, sweet orange and crunchy pecans which are the perfect pairing with your Thanksgiving turkey or any poultry or pork.

    Cranberry Orange Relish in white bowl with spoon in it.

    Fresh Fruit Makes the Best Cranberry Relish

    You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries, since fresh isn't easy to find outside of the holiday season and, of course, beautiful Florida oranges. I like to add pecans as well but it's totally optional.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Orange Relish

    What's the difference between cranberry relish and cranberry sauce?

    Cranberry sauce is a cooked mixture of cranberries, water and sugar. Relish is a raw chunkier version and more on the tart side.

    How long will cranberry relish keep?

    It actually lasts quite a while in the refrigerator. Store it covered for 3-4 weeks.

    Can I freeze leftover cranberry relish?

    Most definitely! Place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. You can also make it ahead of Thanksgiving time ad have it all ready to go.

    What can I do with the relish besides serving it as a Thanksgiving side?

    • You can serve it over room temperature cream cheese with crackers for a seasonal dip.
    • Make a holiday treat by spooning it over yogurt or your breakfast pancakes or waffles. 
    • Use it as a sandwich spread for your turkey sandwich or a delicious grilled cheese.
    • Finally, mix it with jello and mold it for a beautiful side dish throughout the holiday season.

    Spoonful of relish over full relish bowl with orange in background.

    You can make this a week ahead of the big day or wait until the day before so there are no worries for getting it ready at the last minute. Try it out this year and cranberry sauce might not get relegated to the "oh I almost forgot" place next year. Enjoy!

    All the Recipes You'll Need for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving 

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    Find even more easy Thanksgiving dinner recipes right here on 2CM!

    Love quick & easy recipes? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter for all the latest recipe inspiration! Plus join my email list here and receive a free e-book.

    Cranberry orange relish in bowl with spoon.

    HOMEMADE CRANBERRY ORANGE RELISH

    Fresh, tart, homemade cranberry orange relish is not only easy to make but the perfect cranberry side dish to serve with your holiday turkey.
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    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 140kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb raw fresh cranberries, washed & patted dry
    • 3 oranges, quartered, seeded (leave peel on 2 & make sure it is washed well, we recommend purchasing organic & peel the other one)
    • ½-3/4 cup granulated sugar (depending on sweetness preferred)
    • ½ cup pecans, chopped (optional)

    Instructions

    • Coarsely grind cranberries and oranges in a food processor. 
    • Add sugar until you reach your desired sweetness. 
    • Cover and refrigerate for at least overnight. Will keep for 2 weeks.

    Notes

    How long will cranberry relish keep?

    It's actually lasts quite a while in the refrigerator. Store it covered for 3-4 weeks.

    Can I freeze leftover cranberry relish?

    Most definitely! Place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. You can also make it ahead of Thanksgiving time ad have it all ready to go.

    What can I do with the relish besides serving it as a Thanksgiving side?

    • You can serve it over room temperature cream cheese with crackers for a seasonal dip.
    • Make a holiday treat by spooning it over yogurt or your breakfast pancakes or waffles. 
    • Use it as a sandwich spread for your turkey sandwich or a delicious grilled cheese.
    • Finally, mix it with jello and mold it for a beautiful side dish throughout the holiday season.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

    This post has been updated and was first published on November 6, 2013.

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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