Vegan Cranberry-Apple Relish 🧃 – Tangy, Sweet, and Perfect for Thanksgiving Platter
Add a tangy-sweet punch to your Thanksgiving spread with this easy vegan relish
Looking for a vibrant, plant-based condiment that elevates every holiday bite? This vegan cranberry-apple relish delivers sweet-tart flavor with zero animal products. Fresh cranberries, crisp apple pieces, and zesty orange create a zing that cuts through rich main dishes. Whether you're serving tofu turkey, roasted root veggies, or grain-based casseroles, this relish adds fresh, festive flair. Plus, it's freezer-friendly for pre-holiday prepping!
With just 5 ingredients and 25 minutes of hands-on time, this relish makes a quick holiday workhorse. The maple-orange combo brings natural sweetness without overpowering the cranberries' tartness. Its chunky texture offers satisfying bite, contrasting nicely with smooth pureed dishes. This version forgoes refined sugar for a clean, whole-food profile that aligns beautifully with plant-based diets.
What makes this relish standout? The orange zest adds aromatic brightness, while the apple pieces provide structural interest. Unlike canned versions, this homemade batch avoids preservatives and retains maximum flavor. Serve it in small bowls for family-style gatherings or pipe onto individual serving plates for elegant Thanksgiving buffets.
From the first spoonful, the cranberries' tang mingles with fresh orange - think backyard citrus grove meets fall harvest. The maple adds just the right touch of warmth, making this relish perfect with hearty grains or vegan cheeses. Best of all? It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Whether you're feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy dinner for two, this relish scales seamlessly. Double the batch for busy holidays or halve it for weeknight sides. Ready to make your Thanksgiving plate pop with color and flavor? Let's get started!
Why This Recipe Works
⏰ Quick & Easy
Just 25 minutes of effort yields 12 servings! No chopping, just simple mixing and simmering. Great for time-constrained holiday cooking.
💰 Cost-Effective
Uses seasonal produce for exceptional value. Cranberries are often on sale in October-November, making this relish incredibly budget-friendly.
👥 Crowd-Pleasing
Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free! Appeals to all dietary preferences without compromising flavor or texture.
🌟 Flavor Powerhouse
Balances sweet, tart, and aromatic elements perfectly. The maple-orange combo creates depth that rivals traditional cranberry sauces.
Vegan Cranberry-Apple Relish Recipe
Holiday-ready plant-based relish that's quick to make and even quicker to devour
🛒 Ingredients
- - 1 bag (12 oz/340g) fresh cranberries
- - 1 medium apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), diced
- - 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- - 1 orange (zest) + 2 tbsp juice
- - 1 tsp whole grain mustard (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
Prep the fruit: Rinse cranberries, pick out stems, and add to saucepan. Add diced apple and squeeze in orange juice.
💡 Use a colander to easily remove stems from cranberries
Cook the relish: Add maple syrup, orange zest, and mustard (if using). Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes until cranberries pop and mixture thickens.
💡 Stir occasionally to prevent sticking; reduce heat if mixture starts bubbling too aggressively
Cool and serve: Remove from heat and transfer to serving bowls. Let cool to room temperature before serving - this allows flavors to develop fully.
💡 This relish thickens slightly as it cools, achieving perfect texture for scooping
Nutrition (per serving):
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Orange Zest
The citrus addition brightens the cranberries and prevents the maple from tasting overly sweet. For maximum flavor, use a microplane to zest the entire orange, then wipe pan with citrus-tinged zest for extra aroma.
Substitutions: Lime zest for a sharper contrast, or increase apple quantity for more tartness without added sweetener.
Maple Syrup
Provides clean, natural sweetness without refined sugar. Grade B maple adds subtle caramel notes that pair beautifully with cranberries. Avoid substituting agave or corn syrup - they change the balance.
Substitutions: Honey or brown rice syrup work well, but note these options are NOT vegan.
Granny Smith Apple
Its tartness contrasts nicely with sweet components. Dice on the larger side to maintain structure - you want chunky relish, not puree.
Substitutions: Honeycrisp for slightly sweeter relish, or apple cider vinegar for a fermented twist (reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes).
Whole Grain Mustard
Adds depth of flavor and slight tang without overpowering. The whole mustard seeds give visual texture and pop of color.
Substitutions: Dijon mustard for sharper flavor, or a splash of apple cider vinegar for acidity boost.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cranberry-Apple Relish
🍋 Flavor Boost
Add 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger for unexpected warmth that pairs beautifully with fall dishes.
🧊 Ahead of Time
Make 24 hours in advance - flavors fully develop overnight and relish becomes even sweeter. Store in airtight container in fridge until ready to serve.
👩🍳 Texture Tip
Want thicker relish? Simmer uncovered for last 5 minutes. For chunkier relish, add apple pieces later in cooking (see variations below).
✨ Presentation Hack
Serve in vintage bowls paired with small spoons for easy serving at buffets. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for festive visual.
Variations & Customizations
Cinnamon Spice Blend
Stir in 1/2 tsp cinnamon plus 1/4 tsp nutmeg during cooking for classic Thanksgiving flavors while adding warmth
Apple-Forward Version
Double the apple ratio to cranberries and add 1/4 tsp ground cloves for apple pie-inspired relish
Citrus Twist
Swap orange for 1/2 lemon and 1/2 blood orange zest - creates beautiful pink/red color with tangy brightness
Cider Version
Replace 2 tbsp orange juice with 2 tbsp apple cider - reduces sweetness while adding fermented apple complexity
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
🍽️ Best Served With:
- Tofu turkey with herbed grain dressing - The relish's tang cuts through rich soy-based proteins
- Roasted butternut squash with maple glaze - Complements the sweet-tart profile while maintaining seasonal flair
- Vegan stuffed acorn squash - Pairs beautifully with the warm spices common in fall squash dishes
🍷 Drink Pairings:
Sparking apple cider with cinnamon rim glasses - The effervescence cleanses palate for next bite. Vegan ginger ale for lower calorie option
Make-Ahead Instructions & Storage
Make-Ahead Tips
Best when made 24 hours in advance - cranberries need time to soften and flavors meld. Prepare up to 3 days ahead
Refrigerator Storage
Store in airtight container for 10-12 days. Separation is normal - simply stir before serving
Freezer Storage
Freeze in 2-inch thick layers on baking sheet until firm, then transfer to ziplock bags. Keeps for 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge
Reheating Instructions
Not necessary! Serve straight from fridge. For room temperature serving, let sit 15 minutes
Troubleshooting & Common Questions
Q: Relish too runny?
A: Return to stove and simmer uncovered for an additional 3-5 minutes. You can also add 1 tbsp chia seeds (stirring constantly) to thicken without altering flavor
Q: How to reduce sweetness?
A: Use 1/4 less maple syrup and increase orange juice by 1 tbsp. Add 1/4 tsp apple cider vinegar to balance
Q: Relish too tart?
A: Add 1-2 tbsp maple syrup and stir well. For non-sweet balance, add 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Q: Can I use canned cranberries?
A: Best with fresh cranberries. If using canned, drain well and reduce cooking time by half to avoid overcooking. Add 1 tbsp extra maple syrup to offset canned cranberry flavor
Final Thoughts
This vegan cranberry-apple relish bridges sweet and tart with perfect seasonal balance. The chunky texture adds visual interest to plates while the orange-zest brightness lifts heavier dishes. Whether you're feeding a crowd at Thanksgiving or adding festive flair to weeknight meals, this relish brings holiday magic in minutes. With minimal ingredients and make-ahead flexibility, it's the ultimate plant-based condiment for fall feasts
For Pinterest visibility, post this relish alone first, then follow with recipe for vegan tofu turkey, roasted Brussels sprouts, and buckwheat pilaf. Add a final pin showing all together on a wooden board with fall décor for maximal completion effect
