Cranberry orange relish is raw cranberries, orange and sugar, chopped together and left in the fridge, with no stove involved. We read three no-cook versions that all start the same way and then split on one thing: how much of the orange goes in.
We haven’t made any of these, so every amount and time belongs to the page it’s credited to. A bitter batch usually comes from too much white pith, so watch that part!
How do three cranberry orange relish recipes compare?
The three versions differ in how they use the orange, how much sugar they add and when they say to stop chopping. Ocean Spray (September 2024) uses the whole orange, peel and all. Cooking With Carlee (December 2021) takes only a strip of zest plus the flesh. Simply Cooking Recipes (October 2025) uses zest and juice but not the flesh.
| Ocean Spray | Cooking With Carlee | Simply Cooking Recipes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranberries | Fresh; no amount shown | 12 ounces | 12 ounces (about 3 cups) |
| Orange | 1 unpeeled orange, cut in eighths and seeded | 1 navel orange: one 4×1-inch strip of zest, then the peeled, sectioned flesh | 1 large navel orange: about 2 teaspoons zest and ¼ to ⅓ cup juice |
| Sugar | ¾ to 1 cup | ⅔ cup, split in two | ½ cup |
| Extras | None | None | ½ teaspoon vanilla |
| Method | Process in two batches, then stir in sugar | Orange and half the sugar smooth, then cranberries and the rest pulsed to a fine dice | Pulse everything 10 to 15 times into rice-size pieces |
| Chill | Not stated; store in fridge or freezer | At least 2 hours | At least 2 hours, overnight better |
| Makes | About 3 cups | 8 servings | 12 servings |
Ocean Spray’s page doesn’t list how many cranberries to use, so you can’t copy its sugar ratio without a guess.
Which cranberry orange relish should you make?
Not sure how bitter you’ll tolerate? Pick by how you want to handle the orange. The whole-orange version is the fastest, and the other two are built to keep pith out.
- Fewest steps: Ocean Spray, which skips zesting and peeling entirely.
- Least sugar: Simply Cooking Recipes, at ½ cup for 12 ounces of berries.
- Smoothest orange: Cooking With Carlee, which blends the zest and flesh before the cranberries go in.
- Most orange flavor from the peel alone: Simply Cooking Recipes, which uses the zest and juice.
How far ahead can you make cranberry orange relish?
The sources don’t agree. Simply Cooking Recipes says in its notes that you can make the relish up to a week ahead. Its own FAQ says up to five days is perfect and seven is pushing it, and that the color starts to brown after that. Ocean Spray only says to store it in the refrigerator or freezer, with no time given.
Simply Cooking Recipes also warns that the red color can stain plastic containers. Glass is the safer pick.
If you want a cooked version instead, see our cranberry sauce recipe, or browse the rest of the table in our Thanksgiving side dishes.
Cranberry orange relish questions people ask
Can you use frozen cranberries?
Simply Cooking Recipes says yes. It says to thaw them fully and drain the liquid, and that the relish will be looser. The other two pages don’t say.
Why is my relish bitter?
Simply Cooking Recipes blames too much white pith under the zest. Cooking With Carlee also asks you to take as little pith as you can.
Do you need a food processor?
Not strictly. Ocean Spray says a food grinder works, and Simply Cooking Recipes says a blender or a sharp knife will do, only slower.