Thanksgiving Recipes - Homemade Cranberry Relish Recipe (2024)

By Stacy Williams

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Growing up and even to this day, Thanksgiving meant time with my family and of course, amazing Thanksgiving recipes! To this day, I still look forward to my aunt’s chicken and noodles and her absolutely amazing peanut butter meringue pie recipe that she has made every year for as long as I can remember. It also meant the re-appearance of a few foods that I simply couldn’t handle; the jello-like cranberry sauce that came in a can being one of them. Maybe it’s just me, but I just can’t handle that red, canned shape substance that barely passes for cranberry sauce. It was during a moment of rebellion against the can after we stopped buying and started making as many products at home as we could that I stumbled onto this cranberry relish recipe.

Thanksgiving Recipes - Homemade Cranberry Relish Recipe (1)

Once you try this cranberry relish recipe, I am 100% positive that you’ll end up adding it to your favorite cranberry recipes. It is so easy to make and the flavor is simply amazing.Not to mention that with only 4 ingredients, it’s super simple to make, but tastes like it took you hours. I don’t know about you, but my favorite Thanksgiving recipes are the ones that are super simple but taste like I spent forever and three days making them. It is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table and I am positive that once you try it, you’ll agree!

Cranberry Recipes – Easy Cranberry Relish Recipe

The best part about this cranberry relish recipe though is how the tiny specs of the orange peel and the glaze from the sugar makes it the perfect Thanksgiving or fall centerpiece. I don’t often think of food as a centerpiece, but hey, when it works, it works! Simply fill a pretty servingbowl with your cranberry relish and then add a few fall embellishments around the bowl to create an amazing look that is edible too! Two birds, one stone. I love simplicity!

You Will Need:

Using a homemade fruit wash, wash then peel one orange completely, remove the seeds and quarter it. Make sure that you get as much of the pith off it as possible. The pith is the stringy white stuff on an orange and if you leave too much of it on this orange, it will cause your homemade cranberry relish to taste bitter. Quarter the second orange and remove the seeds, but leave the peel on. Wash your cranberries and use a mesh strainer drain well.

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Next, add the cranberries and sugar to your food processor and pulse once or twice. Add the peeled orange and pulse once or twice again. Add the unpeeled orange, making sure that you’ve removed the seeds and pulse until everything is combined and has a relish consistency. No, the peeled orange won’t cause your relish to be bitter. Too much pith can, but since you removed as much as possible from the first orange, it won’t be overwhelming.

If your homemade cranberry relish doesn’t have a relish consistency, go ahead and pulse it a couple more times. Just be careful not to liquify it. Once you have a consistency that you are happy with, chill it in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.Once it has chilled, serve alongside of the turkey, over brie cheese or by itself!

Once you try it, if this doesn’t become one of your favorite cranberry recipes, I’ll be truly shocked!

Cranberry Recipes – Easy Cranberry Relish Recipe

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Put the can down! This easy cranberry relish recipe is perfect for any holiday or fall dinner! Sweet but tart and super easy to make!

  • 4 Cups Fresh Cranberries
  • 2 small oranges with seeds removed – 1 peeled (1 unpeeled)
  • ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
  1. Wash then peel one orange completely, remove the seeds and quarter it.
  2. Wash and quarter the second orange, leaving the peel on.
  3. Wash cranberries and drain well.
  4. Add cranberries and granulated sugar to food processor and pulse 1-2 times.
  5. Add peeled orange and pulse 1-2 times more.
  6. Add unpeeled orange and pulse 2 times.
  7. Chill at least 2 hours.
  8. Serve cold.
Thanksgiving Recipes - Homemade Cranberry Relish Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How can I thicken my cranberry relish? ›

Try reducing the sauce down even further so more of the liquid cooks off and the mixture thickens. If that doesn't work, add a thickener like gelatin, pectin or a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch whisked into juice or water). Let the sauce cool before refrigerating to completely set.

How long will cranberry relish keep in the refrigerator? ›

To make-ahead: Cranberry relish can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To freeze: Store cranberry relish in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months. To use, remove it from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator.

What is cranberry relish made of? ›

There's no cooking involved, just using a grinder or a food processor to grind up and mix together raw cranberries, tart green apples, a large seedless orange, and sugar. It's amazing how good it is! Great with roast turkey, or for leftovers on turkey sandwiches.

What is the cranberry sauce for on Thanksgiving? ›

Cranberry sauce is a crucial component of the Thanksgiving table, where its tart, bright acidity cuts through all of the heavy turkey and gravy and stuffing and mashed potatoes.

Why is my homemade cranberry sauce watery? ›

Mistake #2: Your Cranberry Sauce Is Too Runny

You may have added too much liquid to the cranberries. In addition to pectin, cranberries contain water, which means you only need to add a splash of liquid to get the cooking going. Add too much and you'll be stirring at the stove much longer than expected.

What thickens relish? ›

You can thicken the relish with 3 tablespoons of cornflour and a little vinegar if needed. After simmering and thickening, pour the relish into hot sterilized jars and seal. Let cool and add to your delicious summer and autumn dishes for a burst of tangy tomato goodness.

Can you thicken relish with cornstarch? ›

Using cornstarch to thicken sauce is very similar to using flour, but you need different quantities: Use one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon cold water (aka a cornstarch slurry) for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix the cornstarch and water together, then pour into your sauce.

How do you thicken pickle relish? ›

Add sugar, cornstarch, pickle liquid, and cold water to a saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and simmer 6 - 8 minutes for the mixture to thicken. Transfer the Pickle Relish to a jar and leave it to cool.

How do you thicken cranberry sauce without gelatin? ›

In a small cup make a slurry with cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water. Whisk cornstarch mixture into cranberry sauce and cook, whisking, until sauce thickens. Taste and add more sugar, if necessary.

Does homemade relish thicken as it cools? ›

Your relish won't thicken too much as it cools. It should already be a jam-like consistency when you take it off the heat.

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