by Jenny, nourishedkitchen.com
Fresh cranberries captivate me with their vivid hue and sharp, slightly bitter taste. They harmonize wonderfully with tangy-sweet fruits such as raspberries, cherries, and citrus like kumquats or mandarins. Although I enjoy cooked cranberry compotes and sauces, I much prefer relish for its raw freshness and that delightful hint of bitterness that cooking removes.
This particular relish blends cranberries with sour-sweet mandarin oranges, apple juice, and a touch of whole unrefined cane sugar. It’s a personal favorite and earns a spot on my Thanksgiving table every year.
The Goodness in Cranberries
Cranberries, like many berries, boast a high concentration of antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals from diet, environment, or internal metabolism. They are especially loaded with vitamin C, quercetin, anthocyanins, and flavonoids—micronutrients responsible for their intense color and potent flavor. These compounds can reduce oxidative stress and support heart health and overall wellness (1).
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 5 mins
Total time: 5 mins
Serves: 2 to 3 cups
With its bright color and bold taste, this traditional cranberry relish is a wonderful addition to any Thanksgiving feast.
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh cranberries
- 4 mandarins
- ½ cup apple juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ cup whole, unrefined cane sugar (available here)
Instructions
- Wash and sort the cranberries, removing any damaged ones. Roughly chop the mandarins, keeping the peel but removing seeds. Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until you achieve a slightly chunky relish.
- Refrigerate before serving. This relish can be prepared up to three days ahead.
Notes
The Nourished Kitchen Thanksgiving Guide
This cranberry mandarin relish is featured in the Nourished Kitchen Guide to Thanksgiving. That guide offers a cookbook with more than 40 Thanksgiving recipes, four menus with shopping lists and a step-by-step timeline, plus a mix-and-match planner for designing your own menu. It also includes options for gluten-free and dairy-free guests, menus for large crowds, and ideas for smaller, intimate gatherings.
The guide, recipes, and menus are available for download here.
More Cranberry Recipes to Enjoy
Cranberries frequently appear only at Thanksgiving and then disappear until next year. But they deserve to be enjoyed all year. Fresh cranberries are available in October and November, while frozen ones can be found anytime.
Cranberry Mors: A classic Russian beverage prepared by gently cooking cranberries with honey. Serve it warm, spiced with cinnamon or cloves.
Cranberry Kombucha Slushies: An incredibly refreshing frozen drink with a lively, tangy taste.
Cranberry Kumquat Sauce: An excellent alternative for Thanksgiving if relish isn’t your preference.
