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Cranberries are probably last on your priority list for Thanksgiving. I understand: you have the turkey, stuffing, sides, and dessert, so it seems just as easy to open a can of cranberry-like jelly and dump it on a plate. I hope I made that sound as unappetizing as possible because there are so many good options for a cranberry side!

This year, I’m making my favorite relish full of cranberries, apples, oranges, and some lime. With tart, sweet, and bright flavors, this is such a refreshing change from the norm and is delicious with the turkey…or with everything!

This can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. It’s so simple yet so delicious. I seriously eat this like a salad! Enjoy!

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Cranberry Relish

5 from 2 votes
An incredible sweet-tart balance, this cranberry relish utilizes apples, oranges, and ginger to create a vibrant blend. This is an exceptional plate for the Thanksgiving table, or as a side with any holiday meal!
Prep: 35 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 10
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Ingredients

  • 3 crisp sweet apples (Honeycrisp preferred)
  • 1 lime
  • 4 cups fresh cranberries
  • zest of one orange
  • 3 oranges
  • 1 inch piece fresh ginger
  • ½-1 cup granulated sugar (depends on the sweetness of apples)

Instructions 

  • Chop apples, removing the core.
    3 crisp sweet apples (Honeycrisp preferred)
  • Remove the peel from the lime and chop it into pieces.
    1 lime
  • Place apples in a food processor and add prepared lime. Pulse until slightly broken down to about pea-size pieces. Do not process to mush! Pour apples into a large bowl.
  • Process cranberries by pulsing to the same size as apples. You may need to scrape sides of the food processor to evenly chop. Pour cranberries into the bowl with apples.
    4 cups fresh cranberries
  • Zest one orange directly over apples and cranberries. Remove peels of oranges and chop, removing any seeds. Stir into relish.
    zest of one orange, 3 oranges
  • Peel ginger with the back of a spoon and finely grate into relish.
    1 inch piece fresh ginger
  • Finish with sugar to taste and mix well.
    ½-1 cup granulated sugar (depends on the sweetness of apples)

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5 cupCalories: 106 kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment below!

Kaleb Wyse is a New York Times bestselling author behind the popular Wyse Guide website. Living on his fourth-generation Iowa farm, he loves sharing recipes and gardening tips that come from traditions that feel comfortably familiar. His down-to-earth style makes sustainable living and farm life feel like home!

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1 Comment

  1. Dawn says:

    5 stars
    My friend shared this recipe with me and it is absolutely delicious – I can’t get enough of it! I have made it 3 times in the past 2 months. Everyone I’ve shared it with just loves it! If you love citrus, you’ll love this relish. I eat it straight up as a snack any time. It is a real treat when you are craving fresh fruit. Although it says to add a half to 1 cup of sugar, I find a quarter cup does the trick – depending on the sweetness of your fruit and your own preference, of course. I use any hard, tasty apple that I can find. I also zest the lime before I chop it up and add the lime zest as well as the lime. Sometimes I squeeze a little more orange juice in as well. The fresh ginger takes this recipe over the top! Don’t leave it out.
    It keeps at least a couple of weeks in the fridge. Apparently it can be frozen as well but I haven’t tried that yet.
    Thank you so much for this amazing recipe!
    Dawn 😊👍