Welcome to my kitchen. Here, I’ll show you how to make a simple Ocean Spray Cranberry Relish Recipe. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving and adds a fun twist to any meal. This homemade relish is fresher than traditional cranberry sauce, letting you taste the real flavor of cranberries.
This recipe is quick, taking only 15 minutes to make. You’ll need ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons of sugar and ½ cup of fresh orange juice. These ingredients give the relish a sweet and tangy taste. Each serving has about 126 calories, making it a tasty and somewhat healthy choice.
Key Notes
- Making Ocean Spray cranberry relish is simple and quick, taking just 15 minutes.
- This homemade cranberry relish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
- With the right ingredients, you can enjoy a fresh and tangy flavor that elevates any meal.
- The relish pairs beautifully with various dishes, perfect for Thanksgiving or everyday meals.
- Each serving contains 126 calories, along with beneficial dietary fiber.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Ocean Spray Cranberry Relish
Ocean Spray cranberry relish is a favorite in American cooking, loved during the holidays. It’s made from fresh cranberries and has a sweet and tangy taste. This recipe is easy to make and adds color and flavor to Thanksgiving.
This dish has a long history, with some recipes adding special ingredients like horseradish for extra flavor.
At Thanksgiving, cranberry relish is a must-have, alongside turkey and stuffing. It makes familiar dishes exciting and refreshing. The recipe has changed over time, letting families add their own touches.
It’s made with just 12 ounces of cranberries, making it a healthy choice. It has 0 calories and no fat. I love how easy and versatile this recipe is. It brings history and warmth to our gatherings.
Why I Love Making Homemade Cranberry Relish
I love making homemade cranberry relish for many reasons. It’s a family tradition that brings back happy memories of holidays. Every time I make it, I think of those special moments at the dinner table.
Homemade cranberry relish lets me choose the flavor and sweetness. This is something store-bought can’t offer. It’s quick to make, too – just about 17 minutes for a tasty dish.
It only needs three main things: 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, 1 orange, and 1 cup of sugar. This makes it easy and rewarding to make.
The relish turns out bright and full of flavor, perfect for sharing. Its colors and tastes make my table look fresh. Each serving, about 3 tablespoons, is full of nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
Ingredients Needed for Ocean Spray Cranberry Relish Recipe
To make an easy cranberry relish, you need a few key ingredients. You’ll need 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, sugar, and maybe some citrus like oranges or tangerines. Fresh cranberries give a bold flavor, while frozen ones are good all year.
Fresh vs. Frozen Cranberries
Choosing between fresh and frozen cranberries is up to you. Fresh cranberries offer a tart flavor that’s hard to beat. Frozen cranberries are great when fresh ones aren’t available.
Substitutions for Extra Flavor
Adding oranges or other fruits can make your relish even better. A zesty orange adds sweetness that goes well with the cranberries. You can also adjust the sugar to your liking. This recipe is great because you can make it your own.
| Ingredient | Measurement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Cranberries | 12 ounces | or 2 cups if using raw |
| Sugar | 3/4 to 1 cup | Adjust based on sweetness preference |
| Orange Zest | 1 tablespoon | Enhances flavor |
| Water | 2 tablespoons | To aid in cooking |
These ingredients make a tasty and healthy cranberry relish. It’s quick to make and is full of vitamins and minerals.
Easy Steps to Prepare Your Cranberry Relish
Making cranberry relish for turkey at home is fun and simple. I start by picking the best ingredients. I make sure my cranberries are fresh. I also cut clementines into quarters to add flavor to my relish.
Step 1: Gather and Prepare Ingredients
I first get 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, which is about 3 ¼ cups. I also get ½ to 1 ¼ cups of sugar, depending on how sweet I like it. I prepare ½ cup of cranberry juice, some grated ginger, cinnamon, and orange zest. Having everything ready makes the next steps easier.
Step 2: Blending the Ingredients in a Food Processor
I mix the cranberries, clementines, and sugar in a food processor. I pulse it 20 to 25 times until it’s chunky. This way, the flavors mix well and the texture stays nice.
Step 3: Chill and Serve
After blending, I chill the relish for at least 20 minutes. This lets the flavors blend well, making it great with turkey. You can make it up to three days ahead and keep it in the fridge.
Health Benefits of Cranberry Relish
Cranberries are more than just a holiday staple; they offer numerous health benefits. Making homemade cranberry relish is a smart choice for my meals. Cranberry growers harvest nearly 40,000 acres of cranberries each year, showing their importance in nutrition.
This vibrant fruit is full of antioxidants, like proanthocyanins. These can help prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. Cranberries also support heart health by preventing platelet build-up and lowering blood pressure.
A half-cup serving of cranberry relish has about 1 gram of fiber. This helps with digestion and adds about 4% of the daily Vitamin C needed. The relish is also low in fat, with no saturated or trans fats. These fats are linked to heart problems and high cholesterol.
Research shows that drinking cranberry juice can lower heart disease risk by 40% when consumed in the right amounts.
Adding homemade cranberry relish to my diet can help improve digestion and metabolism. It can aid in weight loss and fight off health challenges. It also boosts the immune system and reduces inflammation. This makes the relish a nutritious addition to my meals, not just a side dish.
Ocean Spray Cranberry Relish Recipe Variations
Trying different Ocean Spray cranberry relish recipes can make your holiday table special. Each one has its own flavor that suits different tastes. For a fun change, try the cranberry apple relish. It adds fresh apples to the mix, making it sweeter but keeping the cranberry taste.
Cranberry Apple Relish
To make cranberry apple relish, you need 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, 1 apple cut into quarters, and 1/2 cup of sugar. It’s a mix of sweet and tangy. Letting it sit for at least an hour makes the flavors stronger. It stays fresh in the fridge for up to a week, perfect for parties.
Traditional Cranberry Relish Options
For a simple choice, go for the classic cranberry relish. It uses 12 ounces of cranberries and a cup of sugar. It shows off the cranberries’ natural tartness. Adding cinnamon or using pomegranate juice instead of orange can make it even better
This relish can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for a week or frozen for three months. It’s great for Thanksgiving or any holiday. A little creativity can make a classic dish unforgettable.
When to Serve Cranberry Relish
Ocean Spray cranberry relish is a must-have at my Thanksgiving dinners. Its bright, tangy taste goes great with turkey. I make it up to two days before, so the flavors can mix well.
I also serve it at summer barbecues or with chicken and pork. It’s a refreshing side dish.
For serving, a quarter cup is just right. It’s not too much, but enough to enjoy. This relish has less sugar than traditional sauces, thanks to fresh cranberries and apples.
At Thanksgiving, it makes turkey taste even better. It also goes well with stuffing and other dishes.
I keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks. It’s great with grilled meats or on cheese plates. Cranberry relish is a tasty addition to many meals.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Relish Recipe
Looking to make the perfect homemade cranberry relish? I’ve got some great tips for you. The secret to the best recipe is finding the right mix of flavors and textures. Start by tweaking the sweetness and texture to match your taste.
Adjusting Sweetness and Texture
Begin with ¾ cup of sugar and taste it. You can add more if you like it sweeter. If you prefer it less sweet, try using only ¼ cup. Be careful not to over-process the mix to keep it smooth.
Storing and Freezing Your Relish
Store your relish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a good choice. It stays fresh for 2-3 months. These tips for cranberry relish will let you enjoy it whenever you want.
The Ideal Pairings for Cranberry Relish
Cranberry relish makes holiday meals special. It’s a great side for turkey and adds zest to holiday feasts. It’s a key part of Thanksgiving, making the turkey taste even better.
It also goes well with grilled chicken. The bright, fruity taste is a perfect contrast.
But cranberry relish is more than just a side. It’s great as an appetizer with cream cheese. This mix is creamy and tangy, loved at parties. You can also top sandwiches with it, adding a fresh touch to beef or pork.
Cranberry dishes are very versatile. Some recipes add jalapeño and ginger for a unique flavor. I’ve tried using cranberry in desserts like cakes and trifles, making them a hit at holidays.
Serving Suggestions for Thanksgiving and Beyond
Serving cranberry relish at Thanksgiving adds a special touch to my holiday meals. It’s a tasty condiment for turkey, stuffing, and gravy. A decorative bowl makes it even more festive.
It’s also great on a charcuterie platter with cheese and crackers. This makes it a versatile dish for any meal.
Don’t throw away leftover cranberry relish. It’s perfect in turkey sandwiches for a fresh taste. It’s also good in pork dishes or as a taco topping.
With cranberry relish, you can make muffins, pies, or even meatballs. It’s a versatile ingredient. About 85% of people add cranberries to their Thanksgiving meals. Homemade relish is becoming more popular than canned.
Conclusion
Making an Ocean Spray cranberry relish at home is a fun journey. It ends with a tasty dish that’s good for you. This homemade relish makes holiday meals better and adds joy to any meal.
The recipe is easy and brings festive cheer to my table. It’s a way to share joy through homemade food.
Thinking about the 15 minutes it takes to make and its health benefits, this relish is great. It’s tasty and healthy, with just the right amount of sugar. Plus, it keeps well in the fridge for a week, making it perfect for parties.
This relish is more than food; it’s about sharing and being together. It’s a way to make tasty memories with family and friends. It shows the joy of cooking at home and its importance in our lives.
