Print

Bright Tangy Make-Ahead Cranberry Orange Relish

cranberry orange relish - featured image
Print Recipe

This no-cook cranberry orange relish gets better after a day or two in the fridge, making it the perfect make-ahead condiment for holiday tables. With just a handful of simple ingredients, it delivers bright, balanced flavor and a delightful texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 large orange (preferably organic), zested and juiced
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • Optional: cinnamon stick, star anise, whole cloves, crystallized ginger, pomegranate arils

Instructions

  1. Prepare the orange: Wash and dry the orange. Zest the entire orange using a Microplane or fine zester, avoiding the white pith. Cut the orange in half and juice it (about ¼ cup / 60 ml). Set zest and juice aside.
  2. Chop the cranberries: Rinse and pick through cranberries, discarding any soft or shriveled ones. Pat dry. Roughly chop into small pieces (about ¼-inch chunks), leaving some larger for texture. Do not use a food processor.
  3. Combine everything: In a medium glass or ceramic bowl, mix chopped cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, granulated sugar, salt, and honey or maple syrup (if using). Stir until sugar is evenly distributed.
  4. Let it macerate: Transfer mixture to an airtight glass jar or container. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight. Stir gently after 2 hours. The flavors will develop over 24 hours.
  5. Taste and adjust: After 24 hours, taste the relish. If too tart, stir in an additional tablespoon of honey or maple syrup. If more orange flavor is desired, add extra zest. Let sit for 30 minutes after adjusting.
  6. Serve or store: Serve chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with orange zest curls or fresh rosemary if desired. Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Notes

The relish improves with time; flavors are best between day 2 and day 5. Do not rush the maceration. For a spiced version, add a cinnamon stick, 2 whole cloves, and a star anise during maceration, then remove before serving. For a ginger-pepper version, add 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger and a pinch of cayenne. For a maple-pecan version, replace honey with maple syrup and stir in ¼ cup toasted chopped pecans before serving. For a low-sugar version, reduce sugar to ¼ cup and use a sugar substitute. For a berry blend, replace half the cranberries with blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. For a citrus twist, replace half the orange juice with lemon or lime juice and add 1 teaspoon of zest.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange relish, make-ahead cranberry sauce, no-cook cranberry relish, holiday condiment, easy cranberry recipe

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/bright-tangy-make-ahead-cranberry-orange-relish/