Easy Zesty Cranberry Jalapeno Relish Recipe for Holiday Magic

Zesty cranberry jalapeño relish bursts with vibrant flavors that dance across your palate, refineing ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Bold ingredients mingle in a tantalizing symphony of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.

Each bite promises a flavor adventure that challenges traditional condiment expectations.

This relish represents more than just a side accompaniment—it’s a culinary statement that elevates simple dishes with its dynamic personality.

Traditional recipes pale in comparison to this innovative blend of seasonal ingredients.

Unexpected heat from jalapeños perfectly balances the bright, tart cranberry base, creating a condiment that surprises and delights.

Prepare to revolutionize your dining experience with this game-changing relish.

Zesty Cranberry Jalapeño Relish: Sweet, Spicy, and Bold

• Boost Flavor Complexity: This zesty relish masterfully blends sweet cranberries, tangy lime, spicy jalapenos, and fresh cilantro, creating a multi-layered taste experience that dances across your palate.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: The recipe requires minimal cooking time and simple techniques like chopping and stirring, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels who want a gourmet-style condiment.
• Versatile Serving Option: Perfect as a vibrant side for holiday turkey, a punchy topping for grilled meats, or a lively dip for crackers and chips, this relish adds excitement to multiple dishes with its bright, bold flavors.
• Health-Conscious Choice: Packed with whole fruits and fresh ingredients, this relish offers a nutritious alternative to store-bought condiments, providing natural antioxidants and a low-calorie flavor boost without sacrificing taste.

Ingredients for Cranberry Jalapeño Relish

• Cranberries: Tart berries that create the base of the relish, best when firm and bright red.
• Lime: Provides bright citrus zest and juice for freshness and acidity.
• Jalapenos: Adds spicy kick and heat, choose bright green and firm peppers.
• Onions: Contributes sharp flavor and texture to the relish.
• Cilantro: Offers fresh herbal notes and vibrant green color.

• Granulated Sugar: Balances the tartness of cranberries and adds sweetness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps balance the sweet and spicy elements.

• Water: Helps create the right consistency and helps sugar dissolve during cooking.

How to Prepare Zesty Cranberry Jalapeño Relish

Step 1: Prepare Cranberry Base

Rinse fresh cranberries thoroughly. Coarsely chop cranberries using a food processor or knife. Transfer chopped cranberries to a small saucepan and add lime zest.

Step 2: Create Sweet Cooking Mixture

• Granulated sugar
• Water

Place saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat once bubbling starts.

Step 3: Incorporate Spicy and Savory Elements

• Diced onions
• Chopped jalapenos
• Salt

Stir ingredients until well combined. Pour in freshly squeezed lime juice and blend thoroughly.

Step 4: Add Fresh Herbal Touch

Once relish reaches room temperature, fold in chopped cilantro. The herbs will provide a bright, fresh dimension to the relish.

Step 5: Perfect the Flavor Profile

Taste the relish and adjust seasonings. Balance sweet, tart, and spicy notes by adding more sugar, lime juice, or jalapenos according to personal preference.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer relish to a serving bowl. Can be served immediately or chilled for enhanced flavor melding. Great as a condiment for grilled meats, sandwiches, or as a festive holiday side.

Pro Tips for Zesty Cranberry Jalapeño Relish

• Rinse Thoroughly: Clean cranberries under cold water to remove any debris or stems, ensuring a pure and fresh base for your relish.
• Pulse Precisely: Use short pulses in the food processor to achieve a coarse chop, avoiding over-processing that could turn the cranberries into a mushy texture.
• Control the Heat: Carefully remove jalapeno seeds for a milder relish, or keep them for an extra spicy kick – adjust according to your heat tolerance.
• Balance Flavors: Taste and adjust the sweet-tart-spicy balance by incrementally adding sugar, lime juice, or jalapenos until you reach the perfect combination.
• Chill for Depth: Let the relish sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more complex taste profile.

Storing and Reheating Zesty Cranberry Jalapeño Relish

• Refrigeration: Transfer the zesty cranberry jalapeno relish to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Seal tightly to preserve the vibrant flavors and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freezing: Carefully pack the relish in freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating: Gently warm the relish at room temperature for the best flavor preservation. Avoid microwaving, as high heat can diminish the fresh cilantro taste and alter the relish's bright, zesty character.

Pairing Zesty Cranberry Jalapeño Relish with Grilled Meats

• Pair with Roasted Turkey: This zesty cranberry jalapeño relish cuts through the richness of roasted turkey, creating a perfect balance of spicy and savory flavors.
• Match with Grilled Pork Tenderloin: The bright, tangy relish adds a vibrant kick to the mild, tender meat, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Complement with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling works beautifully, its acidity and slight sweetness playing off the relish's bold, spicy notes.
• Serve alongside Cream Cheese and Crackers: The creamy, mild cheese provides a cool contrast to the relish's zesty heat, making an excellent appetizer or snack.

Cranberry Jalapeño Relish Variations You’ll Love

• Mellow Berry Pepper Spread: Reduce jalapeno heat by using mild green chiles, creating a gentler version perfect for those who prefer less spice while maintaining the tangy cranberry essence.
• Tropical Fusion Relish: Replace lime juice with orange juice and add diced mango for a sweeter, more tropical-inspired condiment that complements grilled meats and seafood.
• Smoky Cranberry Salsa: Introduce roasted jalapenos and a pinch of smoked paprika to develop a deeper, more complex flavor profile that adds rich undertones to the original recipe.
• Herbaceous Berry Condiment: Incorporate fresh mint alongside cilantro, enhancing the relish's brightness and creating a more layered herb experience that pairs wonderfully with roasted poultry and grilled vegetables.

Zesty Cranberry Jalapeno Relish Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Zesty Cranberry Jalapeno Relish delivers a spicy-sweet symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. Fresh cranberries mingle with fiery jalapeños, creating a condiment that elevates holiday tables and everyday meals with Mexican-inspired zest.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh cranberries
• 1 lime; zested and juiced
• ¼ cup onion; very finely diced
• 1 or 2 jalapenos; very finely diced, depending on heat preference

Sweetener and Seasoning:

• ⅓ cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt

Other Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons water
• ⅓ cup chopped cilantro

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Thoroughly rinse of fresh cranberries under cool water, ensuring they are clean and free from debris.
2. Coarsely chop the cranberries using a food processor or sharp knife, pulsing until they reach a rough, chunky consistency.
3. Transfer the chopped cranberries to a small saucepan, adding of lime zest for an aromatic base.
4. Sprinkle of granulated sugar over the cranberry mixture and add of water to help dissolve the sugar.
5. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
6. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, watching for small bubbles to form around the edges, then immediately remove from heat.
7. Allow the cranberry mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes, which helps develop deeper flavors and prevents overcooking.
8. Fold in of finely diced red onions and 1-2 minced jalapeno peppers, depending on desired heat level.
9. Sprinkle of salt to enhance the overall flavor profile of the relish.
10. Squeeze fresh lime juice from 1-2 limes directly into the mixture, stirring to distribute the bright citrus notes.
11. Once the relish reaches room temperature, gently fold in of freshly chopped cilantro for a vibrant, herbal finish.
12. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more sugar for sweetness, lime juice for tartness, or jalapenos for extra heat as desired.
13. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a condiment or accompaniment to various dishes.

Notes

• Rinse cranberries thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris before chopping or processing.
• Use food processor for quick and uniform cranberry chopping, ensuring consistent texture in the relish.
• Control heat level by removing jalapeno seeds for milder flavor or keeping them for extra spiciness.
• Let mixture cool completely before adding fresh herbs to preserve their vibrant color and bright flavor.
• Taste and adjust seasoning gradually, adding small amounts of sugar, lime juice, or jalapenos to balance flavors.
• Store relish in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 72 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 122 mg
• Fat: 0.2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2.5 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg