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Cranberry Relish

Cranberry relish with a bright, chunky texture made by pulsing fresh cranberries, orange, and apple. Chill until the sugar dissolves for a thick, spoonable side dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chilling 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 195

Ingredients
  

Cranberries
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
Orange and apple
  • 1 small orange, unpeeled, seeded and cut into chunks Use the zest/skin for extra citrus flavor and flecks.
  • 1 apple, cored and chopped
Sweetener and mix-ins
  • 0.75 cup sugar
  • 0.25 cup chopped pecans (optional) Stir in right before serving for best crunch.

Equipment

  • 1 food processor

Method
 

Chop and combine
  1. Pulse the fresh cranberries in a food processor until coarsely chopped, then transfer to a bowl. You should see uneven, chunky cranberry pieces rather than a smooth paste.
  2. Pulse the orange and apple in the food processor until finely chopped. Stop once the mixture is broken down but not fully puréed, and you should still notice small flecks.
  3. Stir the chopped orange, chopped apple, and sugar into the coarsely chopped cranberries. Mix until the sugar is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Chill and finish
  1. Cover and chill the relish for at least 4 hours or overnight so the sugar dissolves and the flavors meld. The texture should look thicker and the mixture should be glossy once the sugar has absorbed moisture.
  2. Stir in the chopped pecans just before serving. Taste and adjust if needed, and serve immediately for the crunchiest bite.

Notes

Pro tip: use unpeeled orange for the characteristic zest flecks and citrus aroma. Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 5 days; stir again before serving. Freezing isn’t recommended because the relish can soften and release extra liquid after thawing. For a lower-sugar option, replace sugar with an equal-measure granulated sweetener designed for 1:1 substitution and chill as directed to help it dissolve.