Cranberry Tangy Citrus Spice (Printable version)

Fresh cranberries combined with citrus and spices create a vibrant, tangy-sweet condiment perfect for holiday dishes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruits

01 - 12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed
02 - 1 medium orange, unpeeled, seeds removed, cut into chunks
03 - 1 small apple, cored and chopped

→ Sweetener

04 - ½ cup granulated sugar, or to taste
05 - 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)

→ Flavorings

06 - ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
07 - Pinch of salt

# Directions:

01 - Place cranberries, orange chunks, and apple into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed, scraping down the sides as necessary.
02 - Transfer the chopped mixture to a bowl. Incorporate sugar, honey or maple syrup if using, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
03 - Taste the mixture and adjust sweetness to preference, adding more sugar or honey if desired.
04 - Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in 10 minutes—no cooking required, just pure simplicity that feels like you're letting the ingredients do the talking.
  • The tart-sweet balance is addictive; it cuts through rich meats and brings life to any plate in a way that feels both festive and totally doable.
  • It gets better as it sits, so you can actually make it ahead and reduce your holiday stress—that's the kind of magic we all need.
02 -
  • Don't puree this relish—you'll end up with cranberry sauce instead. The texture matters; those little pieces are what make it special and give you something to bite into.
  • The relish will taste sharp right when you finish it, but that's exactly what you want. Cold, rested time mellows it into something magical. Patience here pays off.
03 -
  • If your cranberries are particularly tart, don't be afraid to add a bit more honey or sugar. Conversely, if they seem mild, you can reduce the sweetener slightly. Taste as you go and trust your palate.
  • The unpeeled orange is non-negotiable for that sophisticated flavor—the pith is what makes this relish taste like something special, not just sweetened cranberries.

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