Spicy Cranberry-Apple Relish Recipe (2024)

By David Tanis

Spicy Cranberry-Apple Relish Recipe (1)

Total Time
About 15 minutes
Rating
4(171)
Notes
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Ingredients

Yield:About 4 cups

  • 1cup sugar
  • ¼cup cider vinegar
  • 1teaspoon salt
  • pound tart, crisp apples, peeled and cut in ½-inch chunks
  • 1pound cranberries
  • 1tablespoon grated ginger
  • 2teaspoons finely chopped jalapeño or Serrano chile
  • Pinch cayenne pepper

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

339 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 88 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams dietary fiber; 72 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 587 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Spicy Cranberry-Apple Relish Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Over medium heat, in wide stainless steel skillet, heat sugar, vinegar and salt, stirring to dissolve.

  2. Step

    2

    Add chopped apples and cranberries, and increase heat to medium-high. Let fruit cook, uncovered, for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring carefully, until apples are tender but still hold their shape.

  3. Step

    3

    Add ginger, jalapeño and cayenne, mix gently and cool to room temperature. May be prepared ahead and refrigerated up to 4 days.

Ratings

4

out of 5

171

user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Mark Ferraro

Great recipe and scales up for large gatherings. I modify the recipe using 1/2 cup sugar per 12 oz. package of cranberries. Everyone seems to like the tartness rather than the too sweet version when using 1 cup of sugar. Under cook the apples as carry over heat will finish the apples just fine.

JSG

I’ve also added pineapple and larger pieces of fresh ginger. Also, I don’t bother to peel the apples.

For a more tasty treat, broiler roast the jalapeno, serrano chilies and pineapple before using them.

Anne H

This relish is terrific. It has become a staple on my Thanksgiving table for the past 2 years and I am making it again in 2015.

Zia

Great recipe - I made 2 versions; one for those of us who like spicy and another with only the ginger for the rest. My 9yo son liked it a lot. One caveat: he did not want to try it because the cider vinegar gives a somewhat unpleasant odor to the dish. Once he moved beyond that and tried it, he agreed it was tasty. Will definitely make again.

Cheryl

Wonderful sauce - I was a bit dubious about adding the jalapeno, but people loved it at the table. The oil-free spiciness was a boon when compared to the relative heaviness of the rest of the traditional food.

LL

Fantastic recipe. It's a hit year after year.

Anne

I replace some of the sugar with honey which goes well with the jalapeno and the ginger

Deanna

I love this recipe. I would call it a cranberry sauce more than a typical uncooked cranberry relish. If you get a hotter than normal pepper, (aka home-grown, left on the plant for awhile), I have added pineapple, either canned (crushed, drained), or fresh (diced), as a counterbalance for those who don't like the extra heat.

mark Pinkerton

I've made this successfully for a number of years but this year tried using macintosh apples as i didn't want granny smith or the honey crisps. bad idea. macintosh cook and soften too quickly. back to granny smith or some other tart apple (getting harder to find)

Canning? Has anyone tried canning this?

Has anyone tried canning this recipe? How did you do it?

Julianne D

Outstanding. I worried about the spiciness for a couple family members who generally don't like spicy food. But I just didn't mention it and they loved it and didn't say a thing. Definitely better after overnight chill during which the flavors blend.

Edie

Very delicious. Added some pecans & juice from a tangerine I had in house. Used 1/2 cup sugar for pound of cranberries. Will make again

MDHWI

This is very tangy and tasty. I made it as is except for I halved the amount of chili pepper (don't like too much spice) and added a little grated orange zest at the end. Very good with pork roast for Thanksgiving dinner.

Poojitha

This is fantastic. I just made it for Thanksgiving. I made a mistake and overcooked it by 3-4 mins when I was not paying attention, so it got a tiny bit mushy, but it tastes amazing. I like the combination of flavors - tart, sweet, spicy....

Deon

Scales up for large gatherings. Use 1/2 cup sugar per 12 oz. of cranberries. Under cook the apples as carry over heat will finish the apples.Try roasted or plain pineapple.Try roasting peppers.Try raw or candied ginger.

Anne

I replace some of the sugar with honey which goes well with the jalapeno and the ginger

Karen Hessel

opps, wish there were a way to edit once I share the review. That said, I intended to say extra chile...and I agree about suing less sugar, I always use less sugar.

Karen Hessel

First year I made two dishes once the regular way with out the spice and one with the chile chopped fine. Everyone loved the one with the chile so now I just give my son in law tera chile on the side if he needs it spicer. Its so tasty that event hose who do not normally enjoy "hot" love this. The fresh ginger is key.

Mark Ferraro

Great recipe and scales up for large gatherings. I modify the recipe using 1/2 cup sugar per 12 oz. package of cranberries. Everyone seems to like the tartness rather than the too sweet version when using 1 cup of sugar. Under cook the apples as carry over heat will finish the apples just fine.

JSG

I’ve also added pineapple and larger pieces of fresh ginger. Also, I don’t bother to peel the apples.

For a more tasty treat, broiler roast the jalapeno, serrano chilies and pineapple before using them.

grace

Very tasty but thick. I added water at the end to keep it spoonable.

Zia

Great recipe - I made 2 versions; one for those of us who like spicy and another with only the ginger for the rest. My 9yo son liked it a lot. One caveat: he did not want to try it because the cider vinegar gives a somewhat unpleasant odor to the dish. Once he moved beyond that and tried it, he agreed it was tasty. Will definitely make again.

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Spicy Cranberry-Apple Relish Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish? ›

Typically, "cranberry sauce" refers to a cooked product while "cranberry relish" is uncooked (the cranberries instead are broken down in a food processor or other manner)—however, some recipes use these phrases interchangeably.

How long will homemade cranberry relish keep? ›

To make-ahead: Cranberry relish can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To freeze: Store cranberry relish in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months. To use, remove it from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator.

How to spice up jellied cranberry sauce? ›

Incorporate botanicals. A drop or two of rosewater or orange blossom water, a pinch of dried lavender buds, a sprinkle of fresh minced mint, tarragon, or cilantro; some fresh ginger or galangal or lemongrass; use a judicious hand to bring these fresh flavors into your canned sauce.

How can I thicken my cranberry relish? ›

Try reducing the sauce down even further so more of the liquid cooks off and the mixture thickens. If that doesn't work, add a thickener like gelatin, pectin or a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch whisked into juice or water). Let the sauce cool before refrigerating to completely set.

Do you eat cranberry relish hot or cold? ›

Either! Some prefer to have it served fresh and warm, straight out of the pot, while others need it completely cooled down to enjoy the flavours. Personally, we prefer cooled sauce.

How do you cut the tartness out of cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar. While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries.

Can I freeze leftover cranberry relish? ›

Yes, you can freeze homemade cranberry sauce—and it works well. It's best to store it in the freezer for up to 3 months; the taste may be affected due to its water content if frozen longer. Keep this in mind when putting away your leftover sauce and use it during this optimal period as part of an easy weeknight dinner.

Can dogs eat cranberries? ›

Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to feed to dogs in small quantities. Whether your dog will like this tart treat is another question. Either way, moderation is important when feeding cranberries to dogs, as with any treat, as too many can lead to an upset stomach.

What do you eat with cranberry relish? ›

Simple Appetizers

Top your favorite cracker with whipped cream cheese and a dollop of Cranberry Relish for the ultimate speedy starter. If you have a little more time you can try this Three-Ingredient Cranberry Relish Appetizer with white cheddar cheese.

Can dogs eat cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce contains quite a bit of sugar. This would be very bad for dogs with diabetes or other sugar-sensitive diseases. Otherwise, if a healthy dog ate a little bit, they'll probably be fine. But too much sugar could give your dog an upset stomach and potentially cause diarrhea or vomiting.

How long does Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce last? ›

Prior to opening, cranberry sauce can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator if you prefer it chilled. After opening, remove from the can and store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Why is my homemade cranberry sauce runny? ›

Mistake #2: Your Cranberry Sauce Is Too Runny

You may have added too much liquid to the cranberries. In addition to pectin, cranberries contain water, which means you only need to add a splash of liquid to get the cooking going. Add too much and you'll be stirring at the stove much longer than expected.

Why does my cranberry sauce taste bitter? ›

Dear Evelyn: I had the same problem when I first started making my own cranberry sauce. I found out that you should cook them just until they pop. Further cooking will make them bitter, and once that happens, you need to start again.

Does homemade relish thicken as it cools? ›

Your relish won't thicken too much as it cools. It should already be a jam-like consistency when you take it off the heat.

What if I add too much water to cranberry sauce? ›

What to do if the cranberry sauce is too thin or loose. If you inadvertently added too much water, simply bring the cranberry sauce back to the stove top and bring it to a low boil, cooking it down just a bit to help thicken it up.

What is the difference between sauce and relish? ›

Relish can consist of a single type or a combination of vegetables and fruit, which may be coarsely or finely chopped; its texture will vary depending on the slicing style used for these solid ingredients, but generally a relish is not as smooth as a sauce-type condiment such as ketchup.

What is cranberry relish made of? ›

There's no cooking involved, just using a grinder or a food processor to grind up and mix together raw cranberries, tart green apples, a large seedless orange, and sugar. It's amazing how good it is! Great with roast turkey, or for leftovers on turkey sandwiches.

What are the two types of cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce can be served either as a gooey liquid or as a solid jelly. The jellied version is solid enough to retain the shape of the container in which it's placed whereas the sauce version is much more fluid. The difference between the fluid sauce and the jelly versions comes down to pectin.

What is another name for cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce or cranberry jam is a sauce or relish made out of cranberries, commonly served as a condiment or a side dish with Thanksgiving dinner in North America and Christmas dinner in the United Kingdom and Canada.

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