Cranberry Walnut Tangy Relish (Printable)

A vibrant blend of cranberries, walnuts, and citrus delivering a tangy, festive flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 2 cups fresh cranberries
02 - 1 medium orange, zested and juiced
03 - 1 small apple, cored and chopped

→ Nuts

04 - 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

→ Sweetener

05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
06 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)

→ Seasoning

07 - Pinch of salt

# Directions:

01 - Rinse cranberries thoroughly and pat dry.
02 - Combine cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, and chopped apple in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped but not pureed.
03 - Add granulated sugar, maple syrup (if using), and a pinch of salt to the processed fruit; pulse several times to combine.
04 - Transfer mixture to a bowl and fold in toasted walnuts gently.
05 - Sample and adjust sweetness as desired.
06 - Cover the relish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld; serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 10 minutes but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • The tartness of fresh cranberries balanced with just enough sweetness feels sophisticated without being fussy, and everyone assumes you're far more ambitious than you actually are
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free, so it works for everyone at the table without requiring separate dishes or apologetic explanations
02 -
  • Fresh cranberries make all the difference—canned cranberry sauce cannot replicate this bright, complex flavor. Don't try to substitute; they're completely different creatures.
  • The texture matters as much as the taste. If you process everything too much, you end up with cranberry butter instead of a relish. Those little pieces of fruit and nut are what make people reach for another spoonful.
  • Letting it refrigerate is non-negotiable. Serving it immediately after making it tastes flat and one-dimensional. Give it time and it transforms into something sophisticated and balanced.
03 -
  • Toast your own walnuts instead of buying pre-toasted if you can—place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about five minutes, shaking frequently, and your entire batch will taste more alive and complex
  • The secret to a relish that tastes like someone really cared is to taste it at every stage and adjust as you go. There's no shame in sugar or lemon juice—use them freely to make it exactly how you want it

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