Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish - Homemade Hooplah (2024)

Sweetly tart and with a delicate crunch of walnuts, this fresh cranberry orange relish is an ideal topping for meats, pastries, or just spread on toasted bread.

This post contains affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy.

About Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish

If you’re looking for a classic-yet-uncommon way to enjoy cranberries this holiday season, then fresh cranberry orange relish should be right up your alley.

Cranberry relish doesn’t get near the exposure that its sauce cousin does, and though it’s not as popular, it has just as many uses. Whether it’s served as its own side dish or as a garnish on meats or pastries, this relish is a great alternative if you’re looking to serve up cranberry flavor in a different way.

Plus, this is a no-bake relish, so it won’t monopolize stovetop space. It can be whipped up and ready to serve in just five minutes!

What’s in cranberry orange relish?

In order to make your own bowl of this iconic side dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Cranberries – One half of the namesake of this recipe! A holiday favorite thanks to its tart and sweet flavor. This recipe will work well with either fresh or frozen cranberries.
• Orange – The other have of this flavor profile, the sweet citrus of the orange is a great counterbalance to the tart cranberry. Plus, the red and orange hues are very festive!
• Granulated sugar – Used to help tame the sharper notes in both the orange and cranberry. Feel free to adjust this to your tastes or use a different sweetener.
• Walnuts – Totally optional, but adds a delicious crunchy texture.

What can you serve with cranberry orange relish?

Sweet relishes like this have a lot of versatility and go well with both sweet or savory eats.

A couple of my favorites include:

• Roast turkey.
• Pulled porksandwiches.
• Leftover sandwiches (turkey, ham, chicken, pork loin) on sourdough or rye bread.
• Simple appetizers such as crackers and cheese, toasted baguette, etc.
• Use as a garnish on pancakes or waffles. Can be paired with your favorite syrup or you could even mix this relish with BBQ sauce.

Can you make this in advance?

Certainly! Relish is great for making in advance and freeing up kitchen space for big holiday events.

For the best presentation, I recommend making this relish no more than 24 hours in advance. It can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container until ready to serve. Relish can also be served chilled or at room temperature; the choice is yours.

How long does homemade relish last?

Since we’re not canning this relish and no common preservatives are included (such as vinegar, etc) thishomemade relish can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to five to seven days. However, this time frame might change slightly depending on the freshness of your ingredients.

Can you freeze relish?

Yes, you totally can!

To freeze, store the relish in an airtight container or freezer bag.Once frozen, cranberry relish will remain good for up to one to two months.

Can this relish be canned?

It is possible to can this relish, but I have not done it myself.

If this is something you’d like to learn how to do, check out this article: How to can homemade cranberry orange relish.

Notes & tips for this cranberry relish

• You’ll need a trusty food processor for this recipe. I bought the Ninja Blender System almost 10 years ago and it hasn’t failed me yet!

More great recipes with cranberries

How to make cranberry relish

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – In a food processor, add the fresh cranberries and chopped up orange. Blend until the fruit is chopped but still a tad chunky.

Step 2 – Add the chopped cranberries and orange to a large mixing bowl, then pour in the sugar and walnuts. Use a spatula to gently blend everything together until the sugar has dissolved into the juices of the fruit.

Step 3 – Serve and enjoy!