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Make-Ahead Cranberry Orange Relish: 5-Min Easy Side Dish

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A fresh, tart, and sweet cranberry orange relish that requires no cooking. This make-ahead side dish is perfect for holiday gatherings, offering a bright palate cleanser that pairs beautifully with roast meats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 medium large Navel oranges
  • Orange zest from 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse cranberries under cold water and remove any stems or shriveled berries.
  2. Place cleaned cranberries in a food processor and pulse in short bursts until finely chopped (like coarse sand). Do not puree.
  3. Zest one orange directly into the food processor with the cranberries, avoiding the bitter white pith.
  4. Peel the remaining oranges, removing peel and pith, then segment the fruit.
  5. Add orange segments to the food processor with the cranberries and zest.
  6. Add granulated sugar to the food processor and pulse briefly until orange segments are broken down and combined. The mixture should resemble chunky salsa.
  7. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
  8. Squeeze juice from remaining orange segments (yielding about 1/2 cup) and add to the bowl. Add honey or vanilla if using.
  9. Stir thoroughly until sugar is mostly dissolved.
  10. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, to allow flavors to meld and sugar to dissolve completely.

Notes

For best results, use fresh, firm cranberries. If using frozen cranberries, thaw slightly before processing. The relish improves in flavor after sitting in the fridge for 2-3 days. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Ensure sugar is bone-char free if adhering to strict vegan standards.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry relish, orange relish, holiday side dish, make-ahead recipe, Thanksgiving side, Christmas side, vegan side dish, gluten-free recipe, no-cook recipe, fresh cranberry relish

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/make-ahead-cranberry-orange-relish-5-min-easy-side-dish/