This Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello is the perfect addition to your next holiday meal. Tangy, sweet, and super easy to make, this recipe will boost the flavor of all your favorite classic dishes.
Holiday season is swiftly approaching! The leaves are slowly beginning to change and potlucks are back on the schedule. One of my favorite things about the holidays is getting the chance to showcase and share some of my favorite recipes!
I particularly love finding easy ways to make any dish more delicious, and that is why I am so excited to share this recipe for cherry cranberry relish with Jello. It is remarkably easy to make and enhances the flavor and presentation of literally every dish I have tried it with. Some of my top recommendations include Dry Brined Turkey Breast, Grilled Spatchcock Chicken, or Balsamic Pork Chops.
The truth is that this fast, easy, and fresh condiment makes everything taste amazing — any time of the year. I actually buy bags of cranberries and freeze them for later use throughout the year if unavailable.
I have even found ways to enjoy cranberry Jello relish for breakfast! Put a dollop of deliciousness on top of your next serving of oatmeal, yogurt, or cottage cheese (my favorite breakfast!). I’m sure you’ll love it!
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Cherry Jello – This is my secret weapon. Cherry Jello adds sweetness and rich color while holding the whole dish together. Strawberry gelatin would also work.
- Boiling Water – Cold water won’t dissolve the Jello so make sure it’s really nice and hot.
- Cranberries – These tart berries are usually come into season in September or October, making them a popular feature during the holidays. I love to grab a few extra bags to keep in the freezer for when they are no longer sold in stores. For this recipe, you can use either fresh or thawed cranberries, but not canned.
- Orange Sections – Cranberry and oranges were made to go together! This citrus adds a lovely flavor boost while providing tons of vitamin C. Navel oranges are my favorite to use since you don’t have to worry about the seeds.
- Orange Zest – Don’t forget to zest first! A little goes a long way to add brightness and a great big flavor boost to this dish.
- Sugar – Cranberries are wonderful but they are incredibly tart on their own. Sugar is here to sweeten the deal and balance out the tartness.
- Celery – Celery adds just the right amount of freshness and crunch to your relish.
- Pecans & Walnuts – Pecans help to balance out the tart relish by adding a warm, earthy flavor and irresistible crunch. Walnuts do the same job but with a slightly different flavor. I like using them together for maximum nuttiness.
HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY RELISH WITH JELLO
1. Prepare the Jello. Use the hot water to dissolve the Jello right in your pan of choice. I like to use an 8×8 inch glass pan. Stir the mixture until clear and completely dissolved.
2. Chop remaining ingredients. Use your food processor to combine the cranberries, orange segments, zest, sugar, celery, and nuts. Pulse several times. It’s okay if the pieces end up being small, but be sure not to blend until smooth.
3. Combine everything in the pan. Transfer your blended ingredients to the pan with the Jello mixture. Stir to thoroughly combine.
4. Chill. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. After one hour, stir the mixture and return it to the refrigerator to continue setting. Once set, stir thoroughly before serving. Enjoy!
How Do I Serve Cherry Cranberry Relish With Jello?
Any way you like it! Cherry cranberry relish with Jello is a great compliment to your next Thanksgiving and or Christmas spread, and it is just as good year-round.Â
Try it with turkey, chicken, duck, or ham. It’s also great on top of yogurt, cottage cheese, or oatmeal for breakfast.
Feel free to get creative and let me know your favorite way to enjoy this recipe.
Is Cranberry Relish the Same as Cranberry Sauce?
Cranberry relish is made with raw, fresh cranberries that are chopped and mixed up with sugar and other ingredients. It is never cooked — this makes it much fresher and really allows the naturally tart flavors to shine.
Cranberry sauce, on the other hand, is cooked and is typically much sweeter. It’s often smooth, without the addition of crunchy ingredients such as nuts or celery.
What Is Cranberry Relish Made Of?
Traditionally, cranberry relish is made from blending finely chopped cranberries with sugar, fruit, nuts, and other ingredients. Making my cherry cranberry relish with Jello makes the whole process much easier since the gelatin holds everything together.
Can I Make Cranberry Jello Relish Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! In fact, I think this recipe is even tastier after the flavors have marinated together for a few days.
Once prepared, you can store your relish in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Be sure to keep it covered in an airtight container. This will keep it fresher and prevent it from absorbing other flavors from the fridge.
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This recipe post, originally published on Kevin Is Cooking December, 2015, has been updated with new content, photos and/or video in October, 2022.
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Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello
Ingredients
- 6 oz Cherry Jello
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups cranberries (fresh or thawed)
- 1 medium orange zest and segments
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup walnuts
Instructions
- Dissolve jello in hot water, right in the pan. I use a glass 8x 8", and stir completely until clear.
- Pulse the cranberries, orange segments, zest, sugar, celery and nuts several times in a food processor. Keep in mind this can be left chunky, but small. Do not over process until smooth!
- Pour mixture into liquid jello pan and stir to mix thoroughly.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. After 1 hour stir the jello to mix it up, recover and refrigerate until set. Stir thoroughly to break it up prior to serving.
Serving
- This is a fantastic side for any Thanksgiving table with turkey, you can also serve with chicken and I even have this for breakfast over cottage cheese or yogurt.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Nutrition
My family loves this recipe. I, however, never know how to leave well enough alone. I love candied fruit peel, so I like to add the orange sections with the peel intact. Then I freeze the relish in pint containers at least over one night. When it’s thawed, the orange peel is candied and so yummy!
Yum, that sounds delicious. Love the twist Marilyn!
This makes excellent jam for biscuits and toast! Thank you!
Wish I had that right now, sounds delicious Wendy. Thanks so much for coming back and letting me know!
Has anyone made a sugar-free version? would love to know.
I actually did this year for a family member who is diabetic and used sugar-free jello and Swerve sugar substitute. I could not find a sugar-free cherry, only a black cherry, and it came out fantastic, no issues Des.
This is a winner at our house!!
Haha! I just made a batch, love it year round, especial with a bowl of mixed fruit and nuts for breakfast Judy! I buy bags of cranberries to freeze and have year round. Thanks for coming back and letting me know. Cheers!
We called this cranberry salad and sometimes my grandmother would put mini marshmallows in. Delish either way! The celery is not weird even though it might sound like an unwelcome addition if you have never had this before. Sooo good.
What a great idea adding marshmallows! Thanks for stopping by!
This is just like the cranberry relish that my Nana used to always make in Texas. I’ve made it for years and many people have requested the recipe, too. The only difference in my recipe is that it also contains crushed pineapple, and does not contain nuts. I think the nuts sound like a great addition and I plan to make a batch with the nuts. Also, as a side note, my family was divided over the two preferred cranberry sauces: smooth (canned) or cranberry sauce “with twigs” (the name my dad’s uncle in West Texas came up with in… Read more »
Team Twigs Alice! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! By th eway the pineapple sounds delicious, too.
Hiya! Have you by chance made this with cranberry jello? Wondering how that would taste . Also, wondering if green apple would be a sufficient sub for celery ? Thank you :).
I would definitely do that Jada, sounds good to me! 🙂
Old school! I think this relish needs to loose the celery and gain some Cool Whip.
A little homage to mom, ya know? The celery is just a great little crunch. Cool Whip, wow, hadn’t thought of that in ages. 🙂
Along those lines, some people (my mom and some others in the South) put a small dollop of mayo on the cranberry relish. It might sound gross, but the salty-sweet-tart combo is great. As this relish is already on the sweet side (especially the way my family makes it, with crushed pineapple added), cool whip might take it into overly sweet territory.
Team Cool Whip for me Alice. I’m not a mayo fan myself. Cheers!
Agree. Nothing could beat a homemade cranberry sauce. I usually make it with orange juice and some spices (normally, cinnamon), and I do like the idea of incorporating a cherry flavor as well. Lovely!
This cherry cranberry combo flavor is just sensational Ben. Thanks!
Hello Kevin, I love cranberry sauce, and find it very interesting! Never tried from the scratch! yours looks wow 🙂 and I love your new photography tyle too, really the photos stand out! Now the challenge is to find fresh cranberry here!
Thank you so much Farida. Cranberries are just so versatile, I love them. I buy them fresh in bags and freeze them since they are seasonal. I hope you can find some quick!
Hey Kevin! I am an idiot – could I omit the jello and add cherries with a slurry of cornstarch?
Now there you go, definitely! Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Kevin, I’ll take the “lump” for what it is: it’s own unique taste and texture. I like it. I love home made cranberry sauce for what it is: it’s own unique taste and texture. I can’t wait to try yours, I’ve not done one with Jello. Thanks much and Happy Holidays to you and David!
K.
Hey there Kathy! Definitely give it a try and Happy Holidays to you and Michael! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, too.