Fresh cranberries have always been a favorite of mine, even when I was a child. While the other assorted cousins in my family wrinkled their noses, I would be at the table helping myself to a heaping bowl of this easy cranberry relish recipe. I could say this is a “secret family recipe” passed down from my mom. The truth is although my mom made this for years, I think she got the recipe from the back of a bag of cranberries. After I began hosting the extended family for Thanksgiving and having a dinner for family on Christmas Eve, I took over the making of the cranberry relish. It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan so it meets all the criteria for special diets in our family, but it tastes so good no one realizes it is an allergy-friendly dish.
Easy 3 Ingredient Cranberry Relish Recipe
Did I mention how much I love this recipe because it takes three ingredients and five minutes from start to finish to make? It’s the simplest recipe of all my holiday dishes to prepare. While it can be eaten as soon as it is prepared, I suggest allowing it to set in the fridge for 24 hours for the flavors to meld. It goes well with ham, turkey or chicken. It’s also easily adaptable for different tastes. I prefer mine to have a sweet taste so I often add an extra 1/4 cup of sugar. If you prefer the mixture to be less tart, use 1/4 cup less sugar than called for in the recipe. Tip: Remove the orange peel before you begin. You can add grated orange peel to the top for garnish if desired.
Printable Recipe
- 2 cups whole cranberries use 1 (16 ounces) package
- 2 cups (16 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 medium to large oranges, cut into fourths and seeds removed
- Important! Before you begin to make the recipe, grate the orange peel from the oranges. Set aside. Add the package of cranberries, sugar, and oranges into a blender or food processor. Process or blend until mixture is finely chopped. Pour into serving bowl and top with grated orange peel. This is best when flavors are allowed to meld for 24 hours. Serve chilled.
What is your favorite easy recipe or side dish to prepare for Thanksgiving or Christmas?
Wow looks so tasty, but gotta say I’ve never heard of it. I will make it a point to do so though!
Wow what do you eat cranberry relish with, stuffing/dressing? Never heard of it but I hate cranberry in the can that is gross I rather try this fresh version.
My mom used to bring a can of cranberry sauce every year to Thanksgiving. I would much prefer this recipe using fresh cranberries!
This looks really good! I would love to try this!
This looks like a good one! I’m not a big fan of cranberry but my husband and kids love it.
Cranberry sauce is one of my favorites about Thanksgiving! This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try!
Cranberry sauce or relish is my favorite part of thanksgiving. It always recalls great memories.
Three ingredients and less than 10 minutes? That sounds perfect for the busy holiday season!
Yum! I was assigned cranberry sauce this year, and I didn’t want to bring a couple of cans of store bought cranberry sauce. I will have to give this a try. It looks delicious and easy to make.
These ingredients are great. What a nice recipe.
I really love this recipe! It looks delicious.
That sounds tart and delicious! Cranberries are one of my favorite parts of the Thanksgiving meal.
Mmmmm I look forward to this every year. Delicious to add to the meal plan!
I’ve seen this popping up lately. I’ve never had this before and it looks delish!
I have never heard of cranberry relish before. This looks and sounds so good though!
This looks amazing! I need to make this for Thanksgiving! I can’t wait to give this a try.
This cranberry relish recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this weekend. I am sure it will be a hit.
It’s a lovely recipe that’s so easy to make, which makes it the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast! I would love to try your sweet recipe!
I would love to make this for Thanksgiving. It’s a nice take on the usual cranberry sauce that we have. I love that it’s so easy to make too!
Now this is a lovely cranberry idea. Having this delicious relish to go with turkey would be super nice!
Cranberry sauce is my favorite for Thanksgiving. I love that you add oranges to it!
I’ve never done a cranberry relish before! That’s totally amazing and it would be so nice to try and make it at home. Thanks for the recipe, it’s so easy!
Oh I love cranberries so much and my daughter does too. I love the addition of the oranges to the recipe!
Mmmm! Cranberries are my favorite this time of year. I love this recipe and can’t wait to make it on Thanksgiving.
I love anything cranberry. This looks delicious.
I have done a lot of things with cranberries but for some reason I have never done a cranberry relish. I love how colorful this is! I think I might make this for Thanksgiving.
We have officially moved from pumpkin to cranberry time. This recipe looks great and I would love to make this for our Thanksgiving.
I have not tried this before but it sure looks great! I still have enough time to make it, keep it in the fridge and have it ready for Thanksgiving! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
This Cranberry Relish recipe looks so yummy! I am going to add this to my Thanksgiving menu. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I had not heard of cranberry relish before, sounds interesting. I am willing to give this a try as I do love cranberries!
I can’t say that I’ve ever had cranberry relish before. I’ve actually never even seen it before. It looks tasty, though.
I love cranberry relish! The rest of my family always goes for the cranberry sauce, but I CANNOT have Thanksgiving without cranberry relish.
I have actually never had it before. I am excited to make it this year.
Oh yum! I’ve never had cranberry relish before. I’ve had cranberry sauce but never this. I’ll have to give this a try this year.