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The best Cranberry Relish recipe is made with just 3 ingredients, tastes so fresh, and has been a family favorite for generations! It has an incredible sweet, tangy flavor and is perfect served with Thanksgiving turkey, chicken, or pork.
Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes? Don't miss my Thanksgiving Turkey or Turkey Breast (for a smaller group), Homemade Dinner Rolls, Thanksgiving Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, or Sweet Potato Casserole!
It's not Thanksgiving at our house without Cranberry Relish
It wasn't until I was an adult that I learned some people don't like cranberry condiments paired with their turkey. What?! Then I'm convinced they haven't tried this fresh, uncooked cranberry sauce. I'm just obsessed with the fresh citrus flavor of this cranberry relish and I love how easy it is to make; no cooking required and it will keep in the fridge for days if you want to make it in advanced.
I also love a delicious, traditional cooked cranberry sauce as well, but if I had to choose between the two, fresh cranberry relish wins every time. It makes great leftovers too, smothered on leftover homemade rolls with leftover turkey meat.
Make sure to give yourself a stress-free Thanksgiving by checking out all of my Make-Ahead Thanksgiving recipes and my go-to Thanksgiving Menu!
Cranberry Relish vs Cranberry Sauce?
Cranberry Relish is made from uncooked, raw ingredients blended in a food processor. It tastes fresh and tart. Cranberry Sauce is the traditional sauce that is cooked on the stove, thicker, and often much sweeter. They are both delicious, it really just comes down to personal preference.
How to make Cranberry Relish:
Combine: Slice the two ends of the orange, just until you see the flesh. Leave the rest of the skin on and cut orange into 8 wedges. Add orange wedges, fresh cranberries, and sugar to food processor and pulse until smooth and no large chunks remain. Pour into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Serve Cranberry Relish On:
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Pork tenderloin
- Homemade Rolls
- Spread on Sandwiches or Wraps instead of mayonnaise
- Yogurt – stir it into plain greek yogurt
- Belgian Waffles
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make-Ahead: Make ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
To Freeze: Store in a freezer safe container and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw completely in the fridge before using.
Have leftover fresh Cranberries? Make:
- Cranberry Fluff Salad
- Cranberry Orange Muffins
- Cranberry Orange Bread
- Cranberry Sauce
- Cranberry Orange Scones
- Apple Cranberry Fruit Salad
Cranberry Relish
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1 orange, , peel ON
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Slice the ends off of the orange, just until you see the flesh. Leave the rest of the skin on the orange and slice into 8 wedges.
- Add fresh cranberries, orange wedges and sugar to a food processor and process until smooth (or until no large chunks remain).
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving (or up to 1-2 weeks). Serve over turkey, chicken, pork loin etc.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I originally shared this recipe November 2016. Updated October 2019 and November 2024.
Hi Laruen A.
I ve lost my recipe ..not sure how it happened. NO worries, your recipe is almost like mine from the OceanSpray fresh cranberries bag.
I plan to make this later today. .
baked my dressing this afternoon., I’ll make my giblet gravy tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing your Fresh Cranberry Relish recipe with all of us.
Your recipe cannot be beat !!! Taste is perfect !!!
Suny
Great recipe! I make this every year for Thanksgiving. My grandma used to make it and didn’t leave a recipe(that I know of) so thank you for the simple recipe to keep my grandma’s tradition alive. Just made it again and it is delicious.
We’ve made this for decades in my family. This year I made it, I used a bit over a quarter cup of sugar per 12 Oz of cranberries. Amazing.
FANTASTIC!! Just made this in prep for my Thanksgiving dinner. I have tried several homemade cranberry sauce recipes. Nothing ever tasted that good as I have never been a fan of cranberries but this was so good!! Can’t wait for tomorrow! I cut back on the sugar a little, maybe 3/4 cup and I added some pecans but it is good with or without pecans.
Oh my gosh, how simple and DELICIOUS!!! I am truly not a cranberry sauce fan, but this is on a whole other level. I am now glad I bought two bags of cranberries, because this batch may not make it until Thanksgiving. 😬
Love this idea! I’m going to make it with local honey!
I’ve been making this relish for years. My family insists on it every Thanksgiving – and I’m happy to make it — – using my grandmother’s meat grinder. Delicious!
Could honey work instead of sugar ? And what about a mandarin orange ?
I wouldn’t recommend honey, as the flavor will change so much (and the texture).
I’ve made this for years! By far my favorite!
This is an old family favorite, on our table for at least 80 years! Simple is always best, cranberries, orange and sugar, Simply DELICIOUS!😊