Easy Cranberry Orange Relish

4.8
(84)

This fresh cranberry orange relish made with just four ingredients is a delightful change from traditional cranberry sauce. It can be made ahead of Thanksgiving and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before serving. It's the only relish most of my family will eat!

looking down at a large bowl of cranberry orange relish
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
2 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
8

This cranberry orange relish is easy to make with just 4 ingredients. It's easy to throw together in the blender and perfect to make ahead of time for Thanksgiving.

Cranberry Orange Relish Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this top-rated cranberry orange relish recipe:

  • Orange: This fruity Thanksgiving relish starts with a medium navel orange.
  • Cranberries: Choose fresh cranberries that are firm, plump, and blemish-free.
  • Sugar: White sugar lends extra sweetness to the cranberry orange relish.
  • Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds subtle warmth and cozy flavor.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Relish

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this holiday-perfect fresh cranberry orange relish:

  1. Zest: Grate about two teaspoons of zest from the orange, then discard the rest of the peel.
  2. Pulse: Transfer the orange segments, grated zest, cranberries, sugar, and cinnamon to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
  3. Refrigerate: Place the relish in a bowl, cover with storage wrap, and refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld.

How to Use Cranberry Orange Relish

Pair your fresh cranberry orange relish with roasted turkey and all the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes, such as mashed potatoes. What about the leftovers? Use it as a topping for pancakes or toast, as a sauce for chicken or beef, or as an addition to a fall-themed charcuterie board.

Can You Make Cranberry Orange Relish Ahead of Time?

Yes, this is a great make-ahead recipe. In fact, the cranberry orange relish needs to sit in the fridge for a while for the flavors to fully blend — so it's actually better to make it at least a day in advance.

How to Store Cranberry Orange Relish

Store the cranberry relish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. It's served cold, so there's no need to reheat.

Can You Freeze Cranberry Relish?

Yes, you can freeze this cranberry orange relish for up to two months. Transfer it to freezer bags, squeeze out the excess air, and freeze flat. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Easy to make and delicious," raves Paul Ocheltree. "This cranberry relish paired perfectly with Thanksgiving dinner and I was able to make it the night before and leave it in the fridge until the meal the next day."

"Absolutely loved it," says Emeraldwitch. "Just the right sweet/tart combination. I substituted five cutie oranges for the one navel orange. The blend was delicious."

"Great flavor and definitely needs to blend for a couple hours," according to Marlene. "I tasted it right away and then the next morning. The flavor was delicious!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 1 medium navel orange

  • 1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries

  • ½ cup white sugar

  • teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. Grate 2 teaspoons of zest from orange; discard remaining peel and pith from orange. Divide orange into sections.

    an overhead shot of orange wedges and orange rinds on a cutting board

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Place orange sections, 2 teaspoons orange zest, cranberries, sugar, and cinnamon in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped.

    an overhead shot of oranges, orange zest, cranberries, sugar, and finely chopped in a food processor

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Transfer relish to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until flavors have blended, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

    an overhead shot of finely cranberry orange relish in a bowl

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

323 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

76 Calories
0g Fat
20g Carbs
0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 76
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 0g 1%
Vitamin C 16mg 18%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 65mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.