Print

Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish Easy No-Cook Zesty Holiday Side Recipe

fresh cranberry orange relish - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy no-cook cranberry orange relish that adds a zesty, vibrant pop to your holiday table. This fresh relish combines tart cranberries with bright orange zest and juice for a flavorful, crunchy side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries, washed and sorted
  • 1 large orange, zest and juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • Pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the orange under cool water. Using a microplane zester, carefully zest the orange, avoiding the white pith. Cut the orange in half and juice it to get approximately 1/4 cup (60 ml) of fresh orange juice. Set zest and juice aside.
  2. Place the fresh cranberries into a food processor. Pulse about 6-8 times until the berries are chopped into small bits but not pureed, keeping some texture.
  3. Transfer the chopped cranberries to a mixing bowl. Add granulated sugar, honey or maple syrup if using, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice. Stir until the sugar begins to dissolve and the mixture looks vibrant.
  4. Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts if using. Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon and mix gently if desired.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and sugar to dissolve.
  6. Before serving, taste the relish and adjust sweetness or zest by adding more honey, maple syrup, or orange juice if needed.

Notes

Pulse cranberries to keep some texture; avoid over-processing to prevent mushy puree. Use fresh, firm cranberries for best results. Chill at least 1 hour before serving to meld flavors. Adjust sweetness gradually. Nuts should be added last to keep crunch. Can substitute grapefruit or blood orange for orange, or add a pinch of ground ginger or jalapeño for a spicy kick. Store in airtight container in fridge up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry relish, cranberry orange relish, holiday side dish, no-cook cranberry sauce, fresh cranberry sauce, easy holiday recipe, vegan cranberry relish, gluten-free cranberry relish

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/fresh-cranberry-orange-relish-easy-no-cook-zesty-holiday-side-recipe/