Basic Cranberry Relish (Sauce) – Your Thanksgiving Staple

Happy Cranberry Relish Day (Nov 22)! Cranberry sauce is a must-have for year-end festivities. While it’s a staple at Christmas dinners in my UK hometown, it takes center stage during Thanksgiving feasts.

Cranberry sauce recipe

Cranberry relish is a fresh, uncooked condiment made primarily from raw cranberries, often combined with citrus fruits like oranges. It’s characterized by a sweet-tart flavor from cranberries, oranges, and honey. This combination creates a refreshing and bright taste that contrasts with richer holiday dishes.

The old-fashioned cranberry relish recipe is simple. You just need to combine cranberries, sugar, and water. I added orange juice to the cranberry sauce for extra flavor.

Cranberry sauce has many healthy benefits with antioxidants and vitamin C, great for your immune system and heart health. It might even help prevent urinary tract infections.

Here is how to make the cranberry sauce:

(Cranberry Sauce) Cranberry Relish for Thanksgiving

A bright, citrusy condiment that perfectly balances sweet and tart flavors. Ready in minutes, this relish adds a crisp, refreshing punch to holiday meals or everyday dishes.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 7 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 1

Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• Orange zest or a splash of orange juice for extra flavor Optional

Instructions

 

• Rinse the cranberries under cold water and pick out any stems or mushy berries.
• In a saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and water.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
• Once it boils, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. You can use the back of a spoon to help burst the cranberries if needed.
  
• If you like, add orange zest or a splash of orange juice for a citrusy kick. Stir well.
• Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
• Transfer the cranberry sauce to a serving dish and refrigerate until ready to serve. You can serve hot or cold, either way works!

Notes

– If you want to make the spicy cranberry relish, you can add jalapeno or chipotle.

– To reduce the time, you can use an instant pot or a crockpot to instead of the saucepan.

– Cranberry sauce is pretty easy to store! Once you’ve made it, let it cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It should stay fresh for about 10-14 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for several months. Just make sure to thaw it in the fridge before you need it.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal

Keyword Christmas recipe, cranberry relish, cranberry sauce, holiday recipe, homemade sauce, Thanksgiving recipe

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Pairing suggestion

Cranberry relish can complement a wide variety of dishes. Its sweet and tart flavor profile makes it a versatile condiment that enhances both savory and sweet meals.

1. Main Dishes

• Turkey: Cranberry relish is traditionally served as a side dish with roast turkey during Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.
• Poultry: Used as a glaze for baked chicken breasts or grilled chicken
• Meatloaf: Add moisture and flavor, particularly in turkey meatloaf
• Beef: Used as a glaze for beef dishes, enhancing the richness of the meat
• Pork dishes
  • Roasted pork loin
  • Pork chops
  • Ham

2. Appetizers

• Cheese Pairings: Serve with warm and gooey baked brie or camembert, or top crostini for a tasty pairing.
• Meatballs: Mix with BBQ sauce for a sweet glaze on cocktail meatballs.

3. Side Dishes

• Salads: Add to dressings or as a topping for a burst of flavor.
• Sweet Potatoes: Use as a dollop on baked sweet potatoes for added sweetness.
• Roasted vegetables: Used as a glaze

4. Desserts

• Whipped Cream: Fold in for a festive topping on desserts.
• Cakes & Muffins: Mix into batter or use as a filling for pastries.

5. Breakfast Items

• Yogurt: Swirl cranberry sauce into yogurt or oatmeal for added flavor.
• Pancakes & Waffles: Use as a topping for a festive morning twist.
• Toast: Spread on toast or bagels with cream cheese or peanut butter.
• Sandwich fillings
  • Turkey sandwiches
  • Leftover holiday sandwiches
  • Grilled cheese (as a spread)

Cranberry relish variations

Here are some popular variations and creative twists on the classic cranberry sauce recipe:

1. Sugar Alternatives: To reduce sugar, you can use:

• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Agave syrup
• Coconut sugar
• Monk fruit or Stevia

2. Citrus Variations: For a tangier flavor, replace orange juice with

• Lemon juice
• Apple cider

3. Fruit Additions

• Berry Blends: Incorporate sweeter berries like cherries, blueberries, or strawberries
• Pineapples
• Pears
• Pomegranates

4. Spiced Sauces:

• Add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger can enhance the warmth of the sauce.
• Vanilla extract is another great addition for depth of flavor

5. Boozy Variations: Include alcohol to add rich complexity to the cranberry relish:

• Bourbon
• Grand Marnier for an orange-infused twist

6. Chipotle Lime Cranberry Sauce: This variation introduces smoky heat from chipotle peppers

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