This Trader Joe’s Cranberry Orange Relish is a fresh, tangy, and vibrant recipe, which is a perfect no-cook copycat of the popular store-bought holiday condiment. Made with fresh cranberries and a whole orange, it’s the ultimate bright and easy side for your Thanksgiving or Christmas table, ready in just 10 minutes, plus chilling time.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Cranberry Orange Relish Ingredients
- 1 (12 ounce) package Trader Joe’s Fresh Cranberries
- 1 medium navel orange
- ½ cup white sugar (or up to ¾ cup, to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: ½ cup Trader Joe’s Candied Pecans or toasted walnuts, chopped
How To Make Trader Joe’s Cranberry Orange Relish
- Prep the Orange: Thoroughly wash the orange. Grate about 2 teaspoons of zest from the orange. Then, cut away the remaining peel and the white pith. Coarsely chop the orange flesh, discarding any seeds.
- Pulse the Relish: In a food processor, combine the orange sections, the 2 teaspoons of orange zest, the fresh cranberries, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Combine and Chill: Pulse the mixture in short bursts until everything is finely chopped and well combined. Be careful not to over-process it into a completely smooth puree; you want a “relish” texture.
- Chill and Serve: Transfer the relish to a bowl or jar. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days, to allow the flavors to meld. If you are adding nuts, stir them in just before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the best flavor? The most important secret is to let the relish chill for at least a couple of hours, and preferably overnight. This is a non-negotiable step that allows the sugar to draw out the juices, the flavors to meld, and the sharp, raw tartness of the cranberries to mellow.
- How to get the perfect texture? Use the “pulse” function on your food processor. This gives you full control and is the key to achieving a chunky, relish-like texture instead of an overly smooth, sauce-like puree.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! This is the perfect make-ahead holiday side. It needs to be made at least a few hours in advance, but it can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavor will only get better.
- The Ultimate Trader Joe’s Shortcut: For a fantastic textural and flavor boost with zero extra work, stir in a handful of Trader Joe’s Candied Pecans just before you serve the relish.
What To Serve With Cranberry Orange Relish
This is a classic holiday condiment that is a staple for a reason. It is the perfect bright and tangy contrast to rich, savory meats. Serve it with:
- A Thanksgiving Roast Turkey
- A glazed Holiday Ham
- As a topping for a wheel of baked Brie
- Spread on a leftover turkey sandwich the next day
How To Store Cranberry Orange Relish
- Refrigerate: Store the relish in an airtight container or a sealed jar in the refrigerator. It will keep well and the flavor will continue to improve for up to one week.
Cranberry Orange Relish Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 76kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
No. This is a fresh, no-cook relish. It has a much brighter, tarter, and zestier flavor profile and a chunkier texture compared to the sweet, jellied consistency of most canned cranberry sauces.
A food processor is the easiest and quickest tool. However, if you don’t have one, you can make this by very finely chopping the cranberries and the orange by hand with a sharp knife and then mixing them with the other ingredients in a bowl.
Yes, fresh cranberries are naturally very tart. The recipe calls for ½ cup of sugar for a balanced, tangy relish. As the cook’s note suggests, if you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can increase the sugar to ¾ cup.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Coffee Rub Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Brookie Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Blondies Recipe
Trader Joe’s Cranberry Orange Relish Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings10
minutes76
kcalA quick, easy, and vibrant no-cook relish that perfectly copies the Trader Joe’s favorite, featuring fresh cranberries and a whole orange for a bright, tangy holiday side.
Ingredients
1 (12 ounce) package Trader Joe’s Fresh Cranberries
1 medium navel orange
½ cup white sugar (or more, to taste)
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
- Zest the orange, then peel and coarsely chop the flesh.
- In a food processor, combine the orange zest, orange sections, fresh cranberries, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Pulse in short bursts until the mixture is finely chopped, but not a smooth puree.
- Transfer the relish to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend.
- Stir in optional chopped nuts just before serving.
Notes
- Chill for Flavor: The most important tip for this recipe is to let the relish chill for at least 2 hours before serving. This is a non-negotiable step that allows the flavors to meld and mellow.
- Pulse, Don’t Puree: For a true “relish” texture, use the pulse function on your food processor. This gives you control and prevents the mixture from becoming a watery sauce.
- Use a Whole Orange: Don’t just use the juice! Using the zest and the actual flesh of the orange provides a much deeper, more complex citrus flavor and a better texture.
- Make it Ahead: This is the perfect make-ahead holiday dish. The flavor is even better on the second or third day, making it ideal for stress-free prep.
