Easy Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish Recipe for Thanksgiving (2024)

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Last Updated on: 30th October 2023, 07:43 am

This zesty and flavorful Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish is just what your turkey needs! It’s easy-to-make, can be made days ahead and frozen. It’s great for leftover turkey sandwiches. It was featured on Good Housekeeping for seven years! It’s gluten-free and Vegan.

After you’ve thawed, bathed, brined, and slathered your turkey with butter before it goes in the oven and exit with a beautiful tan, you can’t let it be topped with canned cranberry sauce at your holiday table.

That’s like putting store-bought icing on a homemade cake. You just don’t do that.

I know the busy holidays can make your to-do list longer than a CVS sales receipt but, this homemade cranberry relish recipe is not only easy, it can be made days before and you can also freeze it without losing flavor.

Make this vibrant-colored fresh cranberry relish recipe with fresh cranberries this holiday season! It will become one of your favorite holiday side dishes which sometimes are the best part. Take a look at my other homemade cranberry sauce recipe too.

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Easy Cranberry Relish Recipes Thanksgiving

The tangy from the cranberries mixed with the sweet pineapple juice (instead of orange juice), freshly grated ginger, lemon zest and ground cloves is a wonderful combination of tart flavors!

It only takes minutes to prepare and tastes better if made three days ahead of serving. Your homemade Thanksgiving turkey deserves a homemade cranberry relish.

This Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish was featured on Good Housekeeping 12 Cranberry Relish Recipes to Make This Thanksgiving for FIVE years from 2017 to 2022!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means, if you make a purchase, I’ll make a small commission, but the price you pay is the same.

How to Make Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish

*The full recipe is at the bottom of this post. If this is your first time making cranberry relish, you’ll be amazed at this easy recipe.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz bag of cranberries (whole)
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 dashes ground cloves

First, using a food processor, add a 12 oz bag of cranberries and set to low for about 30 seconds or use the pulse button until minced.

Then, remove minced cranberries from the food processor and put them into a large bowl.

Easy Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish Recipe for Thanksgiving (2)

Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish

Mix in 1/3 of a cup of white sugar, zest of half of a lemon or 1 tsp, 1/2 tsp of freshly grated ginger, 2 oz of pineapple juice, and two dashes of ground cloves.

You only need a little bit of of cloves. If you notice a big aroma of cloves at first, it will lessen each day after.

Let it sit overnight but, make it three days in advance, that will give it maximum flavor before serving. It’s so easy! Why buy the canned stuff when you can make this easy cranberry relish?
Easy Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish Recipe for Thanksgiving (3)Easy Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish Recipe for Thanksgiving (4)
Easy Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish Recipe for Thanksgiving (5)Easy Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish Recipe for Thanksgiving (6)
This Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish is so flavorful, it just may cover up an accidental dry turkey. You might want to bring it along to Thanksgiving dinner, if that may be the case.

Substitutions

  • Use two dashes of allspice if you don’t have cloves.
  • Use 2 oz of freshly squeezed orange juice if you don’t have pineapple juice.
  • Use 1 tsp of orange zest if you don’t have a lemon.

The combination of flavors is perfect! As I’ve mentioned above, I suggest letting the cranberry relish sit three days before serving it, so the flavors can marry.

Easy Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish Recipe for Thanksgiving (7)

Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish

This Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish freezes well too. Just put it in airtight container and put it the freezer. It will last for several months in the freezer and in your refrigerator for up to two weeks.

You could also use this cranberry relish to top Easy-to-Make Cranberry Pecan Brie Phyllo Appetizers. They’re so festive for the holidays. It’s a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce.

When you spend weeks preparing for a wonderful Thanksgiving, you want a colorful, tasty Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish with fresh flavors to top your Thanksgiving turkey.

With only minutes to prepare, this Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish will add the extra wow factor to your Thanksgiving table and your Christmas table too. Happy cooking!

If it’s good enough to get on Good Housekeeping, it’s good enough for your Thanksgiving turkey! Right?

You may also like:

Easy Thanksgiving Cranberry Sauce Recipes

See more Thanksgiving recipes.

Easy Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish Recipe for Thanksgiving (8)

Print Pin

5 from 2 votes

Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish

This is tasty and easy-to-make Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish is great to make ahead for Thanksgiving Christmas or Easter as it freezes very well. It's a flavorful accompaniment to any turkey dinner!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword cranberry relish

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 16 servings

Calories

Author Joanne Schweitzer

Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh whole cranberries, rinsed
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/3 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon zest from 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 tsp grated, fresh ginger or ¼ tsp of ground ginger
  • 2 dashes ground cloves

Instructions

  • Put cranberries in a food processor and set to low until minced (about 10 seconds.)

  • Put minced cranberries into a 1 qt bowl and mix in remaining ingredients. Let sit overnight but, three days will give it maximum flavor.

Video

Notes

Storage:

Store this Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for several months. This is great to make ahead for Thanksgiving or Christmas as it freezes very well.

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg

Optimized on 9/21/2023.

Easy Lemon Ginger Cranberry Relish Recipe for Thanksgiving (2024)

FAQs

How long will homemade cranberry relish last in the refrigerator? ›

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.

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 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.

What is cranberry sauce eaten with on Thanksgiving? ›

It's typically used as a Relish , that is a condiment eaten alongside the turkey. In the US, UK, and Canada, Gravy is what's put on top of the turkey. Gravy on top, cranberry relish/sauce on the right.

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.

Does relish go bad if not refrigerated? ›

Yes, relish needs to be refrigerated if it is opened.

How much cranberry sauce per person in Thanksgiving? ›

Cranberry Sauce & Gravy

Much like gravy, a little bit goes a long way, but you don't want to run out of it either. Depending on what your crew prefers, aim for ⅓–½ cup gravy and cranberry sauce per person. If your guests want leftovers or prefer one over the other, adjust accordingly.

What brand is the best cranberry sauce? ›

Best Jellied Cranberry Sauce: Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce. The Ocean Spray brand is pretty much synonymous with all things cranberry, so it's not really a surprise that they have their cranberry sauce dialed in.

How to serve cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving? ›

Our Best Ideas for Cranberry Sauce

You can stir it into oatmeal for breakfast, spread it on bread for an upgraded turkey sandwich, spoon it over pan-fried pork chops—the possibilities are near endless. Best of all, when you make your own you give it your own special twist. That's where these recipes come in handy.

Why does my homemade 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.

How to get bitterness out of cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

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. Start with a little, then add more gradually. It's easy to overdo it when in comes to bold vinegars.

Why is my homemade cranberry sauce watery? ›

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.

What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side dish? ›

What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side? Mashed potatoes took home the top spot for this year's favorite side. The top five most popular holiday side dishes include: Mashed potatoes.

What does cranberry represent for Thanksgiving? ›

When someone mentions Thanksgiving dinner, the image that traditionally comes to mind includes turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. As one of the very few commercially grown fruits native to the United States, the cranberry symbolically represents an American harvest on our holiday tables.

Why do people put cranberry sauce on turkey? ›

Farm-raised and wild turkeys are also commonly found in the colder temperatures of North America. When they are baked, roasted, or smoked, they tend to dry out more easily than other types of meat. Pairing turkey with cranberry sauce or mashed potatoes and gravy allows for a delicious combination and easier digestion.

How long can you store homemade relish? ›

Sterilized jars of tomato relish will keep for 1-2 years at room temperature. Once the jars have been opened they will need to be kept in the fridge for about 1-2 months.

How long does homemade jarred relish last? ›

Label sealed jars with contents and date. Store the canned relishes in a cool, dry place, between 50 and 70°F. Stored properly, canned relishes should retain their high quality for about one year. Unsealed jars of food need to be treated as fresh.

How long does relish last in the fridge once opened? ›

Relish is good for up to a year.

You've probably seen this pickle-infused condiment at baseball stadiums and grocery stores. As long as the relish is refrigerated after opening, Still Tasty noted that it should be good for up to one year.

How long does homemade pepper relish last in the fridge? ›

Add in pepper onion mixture, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer contents to an airtight container and store in refrigerator up to 6 months.

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