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Make-Ahead Cranberry Orange Relish Recipe with Grand Marnier and Candied Pecans for Easy Holiday Flavor

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A vibrant, make-ahead cranberry orange relish featuring fresh cranberries, orange zest and juice, Grand Marnier, and crunchy candied pecans. Perfect for holiday tables, this relish offers a sweet-tart flavor with a festive twist and requires no cooking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries (340 grams)
  • 1 large orange, zested and juiced (about 1/4 cup juice)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier (can substitute with triple sec or omit for non-alcoholic version)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
  • 3/4 cup candied pecans (90 grams), homemade or store-bought
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Rinse 12 ounces (340 grams) of fresh cranberries under cold water and pick out any that are soft or spoiled. Drain well.
  2. Using a microplane, zest one large orange carefully, avoiding the bitter white pith. Then juice the orange to yield about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of juice.
  3. In the food processor, combine cranberries, orange zest, and 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar. Pulse about 8-10 times until roughly chopped with a chunky texture.
  4. Pour in 1/4 cup (60 ml) orange juice, 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and optional grated fresh ginger (1 teaspoon). Pulse 3-4 more times to mix thoroughly.
  5. Pour the relish into a mixing bowl and gently fold in 3/4 cup (90 grams) of candied pecans to keep them crunchy.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to let flavors meld and soften the cranberries slightly.

Notes

Do not over-process the cranberries to maintain a chunky texture. Fold in candied pecans last to keep them crunchy. For less boozy flavor, replace Grand Marnier with extra orange juice. Can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored refrigerated. Freeze up to 3 months. For nut-free, substitute candied pecans with toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds. For vegan, use candied pecans made with maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry relish, cranberry orange relish, holiday relish, make-ahead relish, Grand Marnier, candied pecans, holiday side dish, easy cranberry sauce

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/make-ahead-cranberry-orange-relish-recipe-with-grand-marnier-and-candied-pecans-for-easy-holiday-flavor/