Way Too Easy Cranberry/Orange Relish: A Holiday Essential

The scent of baking spices and simmering cranberries has always been the olfactory hallmark of my holidays. For years, this particular relish has been an unspoken guest at our family gatherings, a vibrant ruby-red jewel adorning our festive table. I remember my grandmother, her hands dusted with flour, meticulously chopping the orange for this very recipe, a ritual that always seemed to herald the arrival of true holiday cheer. It’s a recipe so wonderfully straightforward, yet its flavor profile is so bright and complex, it’s hard to believe it comes together with such minimal effort. Discovering its absence from a standard recipe search was a surprise, a prompt to share this treasure that has been a cherished part of my culinary history.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes (No cooking required!)
• Total Time: 10 minutes (plus overnight chilling)
• Servings: Serves 6-8 (as a side dish)
• Yield: Approximately 2 cups
• Dietary Type: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

This recipe is a testament to the power of simplicity, requiring only two core ingredients that sing together harmoniously.

• 275 grams Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce: This forms the luscious, tart base of our relish. Ensure it’s the whole berry variety for the best texture and visual appeal.
• 1 large Navel Orange, finely chopped: The star that elevates the cranberry, bringing a bright, zesty counterpoint.

Equipment Needed

While this recipe is wonderfully uncomplicated, a few essential tools will make the process smooth and efficient.

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Medium-sized mixing bowl
• Fork or spoon for stirring

Instructions

The beauty of this relish lies in its utter simplicity. There’s no heat involved, just a bit of mindful preparation to coax the flavors into their full potential.

1. Prepare the Orange: Begin by thoroughly washing the Navel orange. It’s crucial that the peel is clean as we’ll be incorporating it into the relish. Resist the urge to peel it; the zest and pith add a wonderful depth of flavor and a slight bitterness that balances the sweetness.
2. Finely Chop the Orange: Using a sharp knife and a cutting board, chop the entire orange as finely as possible. The goal here is to break it down into tiny pieces. Do not be tempted to use a blender or food processor, as this will pulverize the orange and result in a mushy texture. We want discernible pieces of orange throughout. As you chop, you’ll inevitably encounter the seeds (pips). Make sure to discard these as you go.
3. Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: Open your container of Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce. Spoon the sauce into a medium-sized mixing bowl. If the sauce has solidified significantly, you can mash it lightly with a fork or spoon. This isn’t about making it smooth, but rather just breaking up any large clumps to make incorporating the orange easier.
4. Combine the Ingredients: Add the finely chopped orange (seeds discarded) to the bowl with the cranberry sauce.
5. Stir to Combine: Using a fork or spoon, stir the mixture well to ensure the orange is evenly distributed throughout the cranberry sauce. The relish is now complete, but its magic truly unfolds with a little time.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Even with a recipe this straightforward, a few chef’s secrets can elevate it from good to truly exceptional.

• The Overnight Bloom: The original recipe emphasizes the importance of letting this relish sit. For the absolute best flavor, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the orange to soften slightly, creating a harmonious blend of tart, sweet, and citrusy notes.
• Orange Variety Matters: While Navel oranges are specified, if you can find particularly fragrant, thin-skinned oranges, they can be a wonderful substitute. Just ensure they are seedless or that you meticulously remove all seeds.
• Texture is Key: The instruction to chop the orange finely and avoid the blender is paramount. The slight chew of the orange peel and pulp against the soft cranberries is what gives this relish its signature texture and appeal. Don’t rush this step!
• A Touch More Zest (Optional): For an even more pronounced orange aroma, you could add the zest of half a lemon or another orange, but this is purely optional and deviates slightly from the classic.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

This relish is incredibly versatile, a bright and refreshing accompaniment that cuts through the richness of holiday meals.

• Serving: Serve this relish chilled, directly from the refrigerator. It’s a classic accompaniment to roast turkey, ham, or pork. It’s also surprisingly delicious alongside cheeses on a charcuterie board or dolloped onto yogurt or cottage cheese for a unique breakfast treat. Its vibrant color makes it a beautiful garnish that adds a festive pop to any plate.
• Storage: Once prepared, the relish should be kept covered and refrigerated. It stays remarkably fresh for 4 to 5 days. The flavors continue to develop and deepen during this time, making it an excellent make-ahead component for your holiday preparations. Because it contains fresh fruit and is not cooked, it’s best consumed within this timeframe.

Nutritional Information

Here’s an estimated breakdown of the nutritional content. Please note that these are approximate values and can vary based on the specific brands and sizes of ingredients used.

Nutrient	Amount per Serving (approx.)	% Daily Value (approx.)
Calories	483.8 kcal
Calories from Fat	5 g
Total Fat	0.6 g	1%
Saturated Fat	0.1 g	0%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Sodium	81.2 mg	3%
Total Carbohydrate	124.5 g	41%
Dietary Fiber	5.8 g	23%
Sugars	116.1 g	464%
Protein	1.8 g	3%

Note: The high sugar content is primarily from the cranberry sauce and the natural sugars in the orange.

Variations & Substitutions

While the original recipe is a masterpiece of simplicity, feel free to explore subtle variations to suit your palate.

• Citrus Twist: If you love a brighter citrus profile, consider using a clementine or tangerine instead of a Navel orange for a slightly sweeter, more floral note. Just ensure you meticulously remove any seeds.
• Spice Infusion (Subtle): For a whisper of warmth, you could add a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon or a single star anise to the relish during the chilling period and remove it before serving. This is a very delicate addition and should be used with caution not to overpower the primary flavors.
• Sweetness Adjustment: If you prefer your relish less sweet, you could try using a reduced-sugar cranberry sauce, but be mindful that this might slightly alter the texture and tartness.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I make this relish ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! This relish is best when made at least a few hours, or ideally overnight, in advance to allow the flavors to meld.

Q: How long does this relish last in the refrigerator?
A: Covered and refrigerated, this relish will stay fresh and delicious for 4 to 5 days.

Q: What’s the best way to chop the orange so it doesn’t get mushy?
A: Use a very sharp knife and take your time. Aim for small, consistent pieces. Avoiding a blender or food processor is key to maintaining the desired texture.

Q: Why is it important to discard the seeds from the orange?
A: Orange seeds can be bitter and unpleasant to bite into, detracting from the smooth texture and bright flavor of the relish.

Q: Can I use other types of cranberry sauce?
A: While Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce is recommended for its texture and flavor, other brands of whole berry sauce should work. Jellied cranberry sauce would result in a different texture.

Final Thoughts

There’s a certain magic in recipes that require minimal effort but deliver maximum impact. This Way Too Easy Cranberry/Orange Relish is precisely that kind of culinary gem. It’s a reminder that the most memorable flavors often come from the simplest combinations, enhanced by time and a little bit of love. It’s more than just a side dish; it’s a tradition, a sensory trigger that instantly transports me to cozy holidays past. I encourage you to give it a try, experience its vibrant zest, and let it become a cherished part of your own festive table. Serve it with your favorite holiday roast, and perhaps a glass of crisp, dry white wine or a spiced mulled cider, and savor the season.