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Tangy Make-Ahead Cranberry Orange Relish: Easy Holiday Side

Tangy Make-Ahead Cranberry Orange Relish - featured image
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This bright, bold cranberry orange relish is the perfect make-ahead holiday side. It’s simple to prepare with fresh cranberries, orange, and a touch of maple syrup, and it gets even better after a day in the fridge.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries (about 3 cups)
  • 1 large navel orange (zest and juice)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Optional: 1 cinnamon stick or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

  1. Zest and juice the orange. You need about 1 tablespoon of zest and 1/4 cup of juice.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, granulated sugar, maple syrup, water, and salt. Stir together.
  3. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for 5-7 minutes until cranberries start to pop, stirring occasionally.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in orange juice and half of the orange zest. Reserve the remaining zest for later.
  5. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until the mixture thickens and becomes syrupy. If using a cinnamon stick, add it now and remove before the next step.
  6. Check consistency: it should coat the back of a spoon. If too thin, simmer 2-3 more minutes; if too thick, add a tablespoon of water or orange juice.
  7. Remove from heat and let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining orange zest.
  8. Transfer to a glass jar or airtight container. Let cool completely at room temperature before sealing.
  9. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and the relish to set.

Notes

The relish thickens as it cools. For faster chilling, spread in a shallow dish. Toasting the orange zest in the microwave for 10-15 seconds intensifies the flavor. Adjust sweetness to taste: add extra maple syrup if too tart, or a squeeze of lemon if too sweet. For a spiced version, simmer with a cinnamon stick, star anise, or fresh ginger. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange relish, make-ahead cranberry sauce, holiday side dish, easy cranberry relish, Thanksgiving cranberry sauce, Christmas side dish

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/tangy-make-ahead-cranberry-orange-relish-easy-holiday-side/