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    Home » Recipes » Sauces

    Quick & Easy Cranberry Orange Relish

    Published: Dec 18, 2021 · Modified: Sep 23, 2022 by Amanda Mason · 16 Comments

    Yield 10 people
    Prep 5 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe

    This cranberry relish is bursting with fresh flavor and its bright crimson is the most colorful and easy dish to prepare. It only takes 5 minutes to make and the taste of the sweet and tart pairs perfectly alongside your favorite holiday meal!  

    Close up on a bowl or cranberry orange relish in a glass dish topped with mint and pecans.
    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Quick Recipe Overview
    • ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works
    • Cranberry Sauce vs. Cranberry Relish
    • 🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
    • 📋 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
    • 📖 Other Tasty Variations
    • 🙋🏼 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 💭 Expert Tips
    • 🍽️ More Cranberry Recipes You'll Love!
    • Quick & Easy Cranberry Orange Relish

    ✔️ Quick Recipe Overview


    Why This Is The BEST Cranberry Orange Relish Recipe Out There: Made with only 4 ingredients, this fresh cranberry relish has hints of orange and is so refreshing, easy to make, and amazingly delicious!

    How Long It Takes: 5 minutes - start to finish!

    Equipment You'll Need:
    food processor or blender

     

    I grew up on canned cranberry sauce during the holiday season, but let me tell you...making your own is so much better! This cranberry orange relish is simple to make and the flavor is unforgettable. It pairs amazingly well with turkey breast, ham, and sliced pork loin. Cranberry Sauce is iconic for any holiday meal and this one is a crowd favorite because not only is it bursting with sweet and tart in every bite...you don't have to cook the cranberries! 

    A spoonful of cranberry orange relish being served from a glass bowl.

    ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works


    1. It's the quickest cranberry orange relish recipe you will ever make! It only takes 5 minutes to gather the ingredients, blend them, and then you're ready to serve!

    2. You can make this several days in advance!

    3. It freezes well.

    4. Not only can you pair this with a yummy holiday meal, it also tastes great with a charcuterie board, on biscuits, or on top of ice cream!


    Cranberry Sauce vs. Cranberry Relish

    Cranberry sauce is typically a cooked recipe that includes fresh cranberries with orange juice. Cranberry relish is a raw recipe that is made with fresh ingredients in a food processor or blender that typically takes about 5 minutes to make. Both taste amazing and pair well with so many foods.

    🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

    For this fresh cranberry orange relish, all you need are fresh cranberries, an orange, granulated sugar, and an orange liqueur. You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries when making this relish. Because this is a relish, there is no need to cook the cranberries beforehand. Both blend really well and taste amazing.

    You'll use the entire orange for this relish recipe...the peel and the flesh. The fresh citrus flavor pairs perfectly with the orange peel giving it a zesty flavor. I also add an orange liqueur to enhance the flavor a bit more, but this is an optional ingredient.

    Granulated sugar helps add some sweetness and cut some of the tart from the cranberries and orange. A lot of recipes will call for either light or dark brown sugar, but I find the relish comes out a bit too sweet when I've used those types of sugars. The granulated sugar does a great job balancing the flavors.

    bag of cranberries, an orange, sugar, and orange liquor on a counter.

    📋 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

    Start by rinsing the orange and then cut it into 6-8 small chunks (peel & all). Put the pieces in a blender or food processor.

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    Cut up pieces of fresh orange on a counter alongside a sharp knife.

    Next, rinse the cranberries and then put them into the blender or food processor with the cut up orange. Add the orange liqueur and 1 cup of sugar and then blend/pulse at a low speed for a total of 30 seconds from start to finish.

    Cranberries and sugar in a food processor.

    Since this is a relish, the consistency should be slightly chunky. You can alway blend the mixture a bit more to turn this into more of a puree.

    Food processor filled with orange and cranberry relish.

    Spoon out the cranberry orange relish into a bowl and serve. Top with additional orange zest, pecan chips, and a sprig of fresh mint!

    Cranberry relish in a bowl on a counter.

    📖 Other Tasty Variations

    There are so many different variations you can make to this cranberry orange relish. I've added ground cinnamon to the mix and it adds a nice and festive flavor. Adding an apple is also a great flavor enhancer. It you like tart, a Granny Smith apple pairs well, but so do the sweeter apples. It's all about flavor preference! For an added crunch, add some pecan chips. Fresh rosemary also adds a nice and subtle flavor. Instead of using an orange liqueur, a nice spiced rum also works well!

    Cranberry relish in a glass bowl topped with chopped pecans, orange zest, and fresh mint.

    🙋🏼 Frequently Asked Questions

    How can I serve cranberry relish?

    Serving this cranberry orange relish with meats such as turkey, chicken, and pork helps cut through the heaviness and that's why you typically see people eating some type of cranberry sauce or relish with meat. But this recipe is very versatile! It's great on crackers, dinner rolls, biscuits, and on top of pancakes or waffles. I've also mixed this in with my favorite BBQ sauce recipe and it adds so much flavor. It's also great spread on top of cream cheese or goat cheese.

    Can I make this cranberry orange relish recipe ahead of time?

    Yes! For the freshest flavor, you can make this 2-3 days before serving. Simply cover the container and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

    Can I freeze cranberry relish?

    Yes! Store this relish in a freezer safe container for up to 4 months. When ready for use, place the container in the refrigerator and allow it to slowly thaw.

    Do you serve cranberry sauce warm or cold?

    Either works well! I love it cold, at room temperature, and slightly warm.

    💭 Expert Tips

    • During the fall season, stock up on fresh bags of cranberries sold at your local grocery store or farmers market. They last a long time in the freezer and are great to use in recipes when they are not in season.
    • Fresh cranberries should be nice and firm. Make sure to discard any that are mushy or badly blemished.
    • The orange liqueur is an optional ingredient, but it adds a wonderful touch. I use 1 ounce of Cointreau but feel free to increase it to 2 ounces for more of a boozy flavor. Triple sec also works well.
    • If you want to reduce the sweetness, reduce the sugar to ¾ or even to ½ cup.
    • You can serve this immediately but keep in mind that the flavors will meld together even more the longer this cranberry orange relish sits in the refrigerator.
    Spoonful of cranberry relish on a counter, large bowl on the table in the background.

    🍽️ More Cranberry Recipes You'll Love!

    I love cranberry based recipes, especially during the holiday season! My Smoked Ham with Cranberry Honey Compound Butter is so tasty and the cranberry butter is the star of the show on this recipe! These Cranberry Cookies are the perfect sweet treat with their chewy and natural sweetness. We're talking the perfect fall cookie! And let's not forget about the cocktails! While I enjoy this Minted Cranberry Cocktail during the holidays, it's perfect anytime! It's made with a homemade cranberry simple syrup and touch of Chambord. A fun and festive favorite everyone will enjoy!

    I can’t wait to hear how your cranberry orange relish turned out! If you’ve tried this or any other recipe of mine on the website, make sure you rate the recipe. You can also leave a comment below! I love hearing from you! And make sure you sign up for my newsletter here!

    Quick & Easy Cranberry Orange Relish

    This cranberry relish is bursting with fresh flavor and it's bright crimson color is the most colorful and easy dish to prepare. It only takes 5 minutes to make and the taste of the sweet and tart pairs perfectly alongside your favorite holiday meal!  
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10 people
    Calories: 108kcal
    Author: Amanda Mason

    Equipment

    • food processor or blender

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounce bag cranberries, fresh or frozen
    • 1 orange
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 ounce Cointreau

    Instructions

    • Start by rinsing the orange, but do not peel. Cut the orange into 6-8 small chunks and put in a blender or food processor.
    • Rinse the cranberries and put them into the blender or food processor with the orange chunks.
      NOTE: Since this is a fresh cranberry relish recipe, there is no need to cook the cranberries.
    • Add the orange liqueur and 1 cup of sugar and then blend/pulse at a low speed for a total of 30 seconds from start to finish until the texture is a slightly chunky.
    • Serve Immediately. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

    Notes

    • This recipe freezes really well!
    • Serve either cold, at room temperature, or slightly warm.
    • You can make this recipe ahead of time! For the freshest flavor, make it 2-3 days before serving.
    • During the fall season, stock up on fresh bags of cranberries sold at your local grocery store or farmers market. They last a long time in the freezer and are great to use in recipes when they are not in season.
    • Fresh cranberries should be nice and firm. Make sure to discard any that are mushy or badly blemished.
    • The orange liqueur is an optional ingredient, but it adds a wonderful touch. I use 1 ounce of Cointreau but feel free to increase it to 2 ounces for more of a boozy flavor. Triple sec also works well.
    • If you want to reduce the sweetness, reduce the sugar to ¾ or even to ½ cup.
    • You can serve immediately but keep in mind that the flavors will meld together even more the longer this cranberry orange relish sits in the refrigerator.

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email to receive this recipe, along with weekly food inspiration!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @RecipesWorthRep or tag #RecipesWorthRepeating!

    Recipe Source: Dr.T

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    181 shares

    About Amanda Mason

    Hi! I'm Amanda, the founder and creator behind Recipes Worth Repeating! Simply put, I focus on creating delicious recipes for everyone. I offer variety. I offer convenience. I offer yumminess! And that's why people keep coming back. The recipes I create are absolutely worth repeating.

    Founded in 2012, Recipes Worth Repeating grew from people routinely asking me to email them the recipe for my latest dish. Recipe development comes naturally to me and I find cooking relaxing. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, I developed a passion for cooking at an early age and I love to showcase a variety of recipes on my blog.Creating delicious new recipes, still photography, and video for Recipes Worth Repeating is the driving force behind what engages my readers to keep coming back for more recipes they will love.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 10 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




       

    1. Julie

      November 20, 2022 at 9:18 am

      This is a fabulous recipe made even better with the addition of toasted WALNUTS!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        November 22, 2022 at 4:14 pm

        Oh yes! Walnuts are so good as a topping!

        Reply
    2. Kari Heron | Chef and Steward

      November 14, 2022 at 12:27 am

      5 stars
      Right in time for the holidays! So grateful i found your blog. Great recipe.

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        November 16, 2022 at 10:09 am

        So glad you found me, too! Enjoy!!

        Reply
    3. Ann

      November 13, 2022 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      I have been looking for a new cranberry recipe to try for the holidays, but none really caught my attention. I love your idea of adding orange to the mix! Excited to give this recipe a try!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        November 16, 2022 at 10:11 am

        Let me know how you like it, Ann!! It's so delicious!!!

        Reply
    4. Tracy

      November 12, 2022 at 10:30 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely love how fast and easy this recipe is and how it's sooo much better than the cranberry relish I grew up on. So delicious!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        November 16, 2022 at 10:12 am

        So glad you loved it! It is a more modern recipe so I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Maggie

      November 11, 2022 at 12:16 pm

      Absolutely delicious. We had it with chicken, but good for turkey too. Can't wait to make it again for Thanksgiving.

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        November 11, 2022 at 8:50 pm

        Glad you all loved it so much,, Maggie! It really does go well with so many things!

        Reply
    6. Jenny

      November 10, 2022 at 10:57 pm

      5 stars
      I've had this without the Cointreau and it's really good. I'll have to try adding the Cointreau in when I make this next time.

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        November 22, 2022 at 4:19 pm

        The Cointreau makes a huge difference! Definately try it next time!

        Reply
    7. DrT

      January 17, 2022 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      Amanda, once again, you took a good recipe and made it even better with the suggestions of adding apples, pecans, spiced rum, & cinnamon. We love this relish. Mar & I always freeze a batch in small containers and then enjoy it as an after-dinner treat. Thanks for the many great recipes (we're planning to try your southwestern-style chili next).

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        January 18, 2022 at 8:22 pm

        DrT! Thanks for the amazing recipe! We really enjoyed it over the holidays! Try my southern style pot roast, too. SOOO good!

        Reply
    8. Liz

      December 24, 2021 at 5:58 am

      5 stars
      I love the coloring in fresh cranberries! So pretty! This is a great side dish for all the holiday meals!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        December 24, 2021 at 6:35 am

        Thanks Liz! It's pretty and delish!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amanda! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I'm a wife, mother of two, lover of all things food and wine, and photographer. Here at Recipes Worth Repeating, you're going to find the most delicious and easy to make recipes everyone will love.

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