Best Cranberry Relish Recipe

Wondering what to do with that bag of cranberries in the fridge? Create a festive holiday party dip, or transform your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast into an unforgettable spread, with the best cranberry relish recipe. This homemade recipe is addictively delicious and boosted with heart-healthy pistachios and antioxidant-rich pomegranate arils to stand out.

This versatile holiday side dish can also be spread on crackers with cashew cream or goat cheese, dip it with crostini, or scoop out a spoonful to enjoy by itself– it’s a real crowd-pleaser!

No matter the celebration, it’s good to have a variety of sweet and savory sides to enjoy. The beauty of this pomegranate cranberry relish is how quickly it adds a pop of tart sweetness to traditional holiday staples like turkey and mashed potatoes. Yet if you’re vegetarian, this dish can easily become one of your favorite holiday side dishes. It’s just so easy to whip up– no complex measuring or long wait times required. 

Why This Really is the Best Cranberry Relish Recipe

Who says the holidays have to come with a side of calorie regret? To create the best Pomegranate Cranberry Relish, I focused on creating the most flavorful relish while also amplifying the nutritional components. Translation: this is not just mouthwatering delicious, each bit has a slew of health benefits:

• Cranberries are brimming with healthy antioxidants, a must-have compound for reducing the risk of illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Alongside antioxidants, you’ll get plenty of immune-boosting vitamin C and skin-friendly vitamin A. Lastly, I love how their high fiber count helps improve digestion and reduce cramping or constipation.  
• With the aid of pomegranates, your relish may become your new best friend in your wellness journey. Pomegranates have a unique compound called punicalagin that may reduce chronic inflammation. If you’re worried about developing inflammation-related issues such as arthritis or psoriasis, make pomegranates a dietary staple.
• Pistachios are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in healthy fats, packed with protein, fiber, and antioxidants. I’ve added it to the relish to support digestion and help keep you feeling full longer. Pistachios have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve blood sugar control, super important when having a feast for a meal!

Homemade Cranberry Relish Ingredients

Whether you need to whip up an extra special cranberry relish for Thanksgiving or need some ideas for Christmas, I have you covered. This is the best cranberry relish recipe I’ve ever made – this fruity, sweet, and nutty combination has a flavor profile like no other.

• Cranberries: Rinse fresh cranberries thoroughly and remove any debris or wrinkled ones you see.
• Maple Syrup: Look for pure maple syrup— which only has maple syrup as an ingredient. Grade A is lighter in color and more of a neutral taste. Grade B has a more robust flavor with increased minerals. 
• You can also swap maple syrup with raw honey, molasses or brown sugar, if you prefer.
• Green Apple: Core the apple, remove the seeds, and cut it into quarters. You don’t need to peel the apple—just chop it into chunks. You can also use red apple to make it less tart and more sweet.
• Orange: Cut the orange in half, removing any seeds, and trim off the ends so the orange can fit easily into your food processor. Save some orange zest to add on top of this final dish.
• Pistachios: Finely chop the pistachios. You can either use shelled pistachios or buy pre-shelled pistachios for convenience.
• Pomegranate Seeds: You can buy pomegranate arils in the refrigerated produce section of most grocery stores, which is a convenient and mess-free alternative. If you can only find whole pomegranates, that’ll work, too. You’ll want to remove the seeds from a fresh pomegranate by hand. 

How To Make Cranberry Relish Recipe

Pour Your Ingredients Into Your Food Processor

Place your cranberries, chopped apple, orange, and maple syrup into a food processor. Use a lower setting to start with so you can adjust the texture as you go.

Mix Everything 

Pulse your ingredients into chopped bits (but not too fine). A little texture makes this relish even nicer, but you can chop things up thinner. 

Taste Test

Give it a taste, then stir in more syrup if you want more sweetness. If you want more savory notes, wait until the next step.

Stir In Your Remaining Ingredients

Stir in the pistachios and pomegranate seeds – the former will add a pleasant nuttiness, while the latter adds a little extra sweetness. 

Add Final Toppings for Show

If serving for a special occasion, add a sprig of fresh mint or basil to dress up the dish. You can also dust with coarse sugar or salt (like kosher salt flakes) to add some additional flavors. Once everything tastes just right, serve and enjoy.

5 Tasty Pairings For the Best Homemade Cranberry Relish

The only thing more exciting than pulling off a recipe? Getting to enjoy that recipe with all your favorite main courses and side platters! Below are some of my favorites for this relish’s unique mix of fruity, tart, sweet and savory flavors.

1. Complement the Stuffing: Who doesn’t love mixing extra goodness into a pile of hot, fluffy stuffing? I love how this cranberry relish with pomegranate seeds brings out stuffing’s savory and vegetal flavors. It can also cool it down if you’re getting impatient and want to eat as soon as possible!
2. Dip a Roll in your Relish: Give your rolls some love with a scoop of this pomegranate cranberry relish. The bread will soak up the extra juices nicely and pair naturally with the recipe’s nuts and seeds.
3. Sprinkle on Top of a Salad: Have you ever sprinkled some dried cranberries into a lettuce-based salad? Consider drizzling on this cranberry pomegranate relish as a makeshift dressing for a result that’ll make your tastebuds sing!
4. Tuck Alongside your Mashed Potatoes: The starchy and savory flavor of mashed potatoes really brings out this relish’s tart notes. Sprinkle on some chives or a dash of pepper to add even more complexity.
5. Smear Onto a Sandwich or Toast: Oh, there’s nothing quite like holiday leftovers. Alongside your favorite mustard or avocado spread, this relish will go nicely with classic sandwich toppings like tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. You can also use it as a substitute for jam with your morning toast. The added pistachios will give you some extra protein for the day.

More Festive Cranberry Recipes To Try

Once you start experimenting with cranberries, it’s hard to stop! If you have any leftover cranberries after making your homemade cranberry relish recipe, I have a few more tasty ideas for you! 

• Orange Cranberry Smoothie: This orange cranberry smoothie is my ultimate recipe for using up leftover cranberries, especially when I’m in a hurry. It’s extra healthy thanks to its blend of citrus fruits and chia seeds. Chia seeds do wonders for improving digestive issues. Paired with cranberry’s natural antioxidants and vitamin C, this recipe is well-suited to helping you bounce back from a cold or indigestion. 
• Antioxidant Berry Smoothie Cubes: Smoothie cubes are a flexible and fun way to give your favorite recipes a healthy boost. These antioxidant berry smoothie cubes use cranberries as well as a few other ingredients like beets and pomegranate juice. You can enjoy the cubes on their own during a hot day or mix them into your usual smoothies. 
• Warm Wassail Drink: If you need something to warm you up, try my warm wassail drink recipe. It comes with a soothing and wholesome mixture of healthy ingredients like cranberries alongside cinnamon, cloves, and ginger root.