Fresh Cranberry Relish (2024)

This 3-ingredient Cranberry Relish has been a family favorite for generations! It’s sweet and tangy and perfect paired with Thanksgiving turkey or served with chicken or pork.

In our family there are two groups of people; the gravy lovers and the cranberry lovers. I am the leader of the latter group and I love to serve this cranberry relish on just about everything, but especially on my famous Thanksgiving Turkey!

Fresh Cranberry Relish (1)

Guys, I’ve already started my Thanksgiving menu planning. I’m going to throw in some new favorites this year to accompany our regulars.

We’ve been enjoying this Fresh Cranberry Relish at Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t until recent years attending Thanksgiving dinner at friends homes that I’ve come to realize anugly truth: Not everyone likes cranberry sauce!

GAH! How can this be, right? I’ll tell you how–> they have never tried this type of cranberry “sauce”. It’s technically a “relish” because the cranberries are not cooked and everything is cold and raw, BUT this stuff is pure gold. Honestly, it’s good enough to eat with a spoon.

What I LOVE about this recipe:

  • 3 ingredients. Real, raw ingredients that are packed with flavor!
  • 5 minute prep. No cook time! Just throw everything in a food processor and it’s ready to go!
  • Sweet and tangy. The flavors from the orange zest and the fresh cranberries go perfectly together, and the sugar adds the extra sweetness that the raw cranberries need.

Fresh Cranberry Relish (2)

Cranberry Relish or Cranberry sauce?

There is an important difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish and that is that cranberry relish is made from raw ingredients blended in a food processor (it’s more fresh and tart tasting) and cranberry sauce is cooked and often much sweeter than relish.

Serve Cranberry Relish on:

You could serve cranberry relish on many things but I particularly recommend:

  • Homemade rolls
  • Sandwiches (I love to use it in place of mayonnaise)
  • Turkey (or other roasted meats)
  • Yogurt – stir it into your favorite yogurt
  • Waffles – I love to serve it on top of homemade Belgian waffles.

Make ahead, Storing and Freezing Instructions:

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.

More recipes for Fresh Cranberries:

  • Cranberry Fluff Salad
  • Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad
  • Brussels sprouts with cranberries and pecans
  • Cranberry Orange Bread
Fresh Cranberry Relish (3)
Don’t miss these Thanksgiving staples:
  • Broccoli Casserole
  • Perfect Mashed Potatoes
  • Sweet PotatoSouffle
  • Cranberry Fluff Salad
  • Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad
  • Triple Berry Pie
  • Other pie recipes

You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK,TWITTER,INSTAGRAMandPINTERESTfor more great recipes!

Recipe

Fresh Cranberry Relish (4)

4.99 from 870 votes

Fresh Cranberry Relish

This 3-ingredient cranberry relish has been a family favorite for generations! It's sweet and tangy and perfect paired with Thanksgiving turkey or even for topping on chicken or pork

Print Pin Review

Author Lauren Allen

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 3 cups

Calories 330

Prep 5 minutes mins

Total 5 minutes mins

Save Recipe

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1 orange , with the peel ON
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Slice the very edge root ends off of the orange, just until you see the flesh. Leave the rest of the skin ON the orange and slice it into 8 pieces.

  • Place the fresh cranberries, orange slices and sugar in your food processor and process until smooth (or until no large chunks remain).

  • Refrigerate until ready to serve (it tastes best after being in the fridge for at least on hour) or for up to 1 week. Serve over turkey, chicken, pork loin etc.

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 85gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 6gSugar: 75gVitamin A: 165IUVitamin C: 38.3mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 0.3mg

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I originally shared this recipe November 2016. Updated with improved photos and instructions October 2019.

Fresh Cranberry Relish (5)

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Original Post

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Categories

  • Snacks/Misc.
  • Thanksgiving
  • Thanksgiving Appetizers

About The Author

Fresh Cranberry Relish (10)

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Fresh Cranberry Relish (2024)

FAQs

How long does fresh cranberry relish last? ›

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.

What is cranberry relish made of? ›

One of my favorite things to make for Thanksgiving and the holidays is raw cranberry relish. 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.

Do you need to cook fresh cranberries before baking? ›

Do you need to cook fresh cranberries before baking? While cranberries should not be eaten as is (they are unpleasantly tart), they do not need to be cooked before they are used in baked goods.

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.

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.

How long will fresh cranberries keep 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.

How do you thicken 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 to eat with cranberry relish? ›

Here are a few suggestions.
  1. Spoon some over the top of a block of softened cream cheese, and serve it with crackers as an appetizer.
  2. Serve it over the top of vanilla yogurt or Blender Whole Wheat Waffles with a light pour of maple syrup for breakfast. ...
  3. Use it to make a Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfait.

Is cranberry relish served hot or cold? ›

Cranberry sauce is best served at room temperature or slightly chilled. (You've got enough things on the menu to warm up! Don't make the list longer!) I tend to make cranberry sauce a few days before Thanksgiving and then set it on the table about an hour or two before we plan to eat.

How do you take the bitterness out of fresh cranberries? ›

Anything from a drizzle of honey to agave, maple syrup, or molasses will also fare well. After a few minutes of maceration, the sour fruit juices will mix with the sugar and alleviate some of the cranberries' natural tartness.

Do I need to rinse fresh cranberries? ›

Avoid cranberries that look bruised or shriveled. Before use, rinse fresh or frozen cranberries and discard any that are damaged. It is not necessary to rinse before freezing, and there is also no need to clean dried cranberries. When cooking, heat cranberries just until they pop.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

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.

Does cranberry juice burn belly fat? ›

Cranberry juice, which is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, can be a healthy addition to a nutritious diet and a substitute for sugary sodas, but it will not give you a flat stomach on its own. Incorporate cranberry juice into your diet and exercise regimen for best results.

Is canned cranberry sauce better than homemade? ›

While there are some editors who prefer homemade cranberry sauce, the canned variety also has quite a following. "There's something so beautifully perfect about the texture of canned cranberry sauce, and none of those homemade mess will ever compete," says Senior Digital Food Editor Kimberly Holland.

How long will homemade cranberry chutney last in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Cranberry Chutney Keep + Tips For Serving. Whether you're hosting or guest-ing, your Thanksgiving prep starts right here! This easy cranberry sauce recipe makes a tart side dish that keeps for 10-14 days in the fridge.

How long does homemade cranberry sauce stay fresh? ›

When to Toss Cranberry Sauce. Cranberry sauce will last for two hours at room temperature. Homemade cranberry sauce will last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days. Canned cranberry sauce that has been opened will last up to a week in the fridge.

How long does cranberry juice last in the fridge after opening? ›

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.

How long does cranberry relish last in Fallout 76? ›

Cranberry relish
Overview
EffectsIncreased experience gain +10% Very large healing Restores 60 hit points over 25 sec Large, improved meal Reduces hunger by 20% Low radiation Increases rads by 2
Duration3600 seconds (~60 minutes)
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