Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Chop the fruit
- Pulse the fresh cranberries in a food processor until coarsely chopped, then transfer them to a bowl. Stop as soon as the berries are unevenly chopped with some larger pieces still visible.
- Pulse the orange and apple in the food processor until finely chopped. Scrape down the sides as needed so the mixture breaks down evenly.
Combine and chill
- Stir the orange, apple, and sugar into the coarsely chopped cranberries until evenly distributed. The mixture will look thick and bright with flecks of orange and fruit throughout.
- Cover and chill the relish for at least 4 hours or overnight so the sugar dissolves and the flavors meld. Keep it refrigerated until serving; the texture will become slightly saucy as the sugar melts.
Finish
- Stir in the chopped pecans just before serving. Add them at the end so they stay crisp and don’t soften in the chilled mixture.
Notes
Pro tip: chill longer for the best flavor—overnight usually gives the smoothest, most cohesive relish as the sugar dissolves. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freezing isn’t recommended because the fruit texture can turn watery after thawing. If you want a lower-sugar version, use a 1:1 sugar substitute designed for baking (use according to package directions) to keep the syrupy consistency.