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What is the difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish?

Cranberry sauce and cranberry relish are two popular cranberry-based condiments that are commonly served alongside Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. While they are similar in that they both contain cranberries as the main ingredient, there are some key differences between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish in terms of ingredients, texture, taste and preparation method.

Ingredients

The main ingredients in traditional cranberry sauce are:

  • Fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Sugar
  • Water

Cranberry sauce is made by simmering fresh or thawed cranberries with sugar and water over low heat until the berries pop and break down, creating a rich, gelatinous sauce. The ingredients blend together to form a smooth, homogenous mixture.

Cranberry relish, on the other hand, has a more diverse mix of ingredients, typically including:

  • Fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Sugar
  • Orange juice and zest
  • Apples, pears, or pineapple
  • Nuts like walnuts or pecans
  • Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or cloves

The extra fruits, nuts and spices add sweetness, texture and flavor to cranberry relish. The chopped fruits and nuts give it a chunkier, more rustic texture compared to smooth cranberry sauce.

Texture

One of the most noticeable differences between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish is the texture:

  • Cranberry sauce has a smooth, jelly-like texture. The berries break down during extended cooking into a homogenous gel.
  • Cranberry relish has a chunkier, more rustic chopped texture from the added fruits and nuts. It has a relish-like consistency.

So if you prefer a perfectly smooth sauce, cranberry sauce is the way to go. But if you want some texture and bite, cranberry relish offers an appealingly chunky alternative.

Flavor

While both contain a tart, vibrant cranberry flavor, there are some taste differences as well:

  • Cranberry sauce tends to have a pronounced, concentrated cranberry flavor as the main ingredient. It can taste quite tart if not properly sweetened.
  • Cranberry relish has a more complex, balanced flavor. The added fruits, spices and sugars round out the tartness. It offers a medley of complementary flavors like orange, cinnamon, ginger and apple.

So cranberry sauce highlights the pure, bracing taste of fresh cranberries. Cranberry relish balances the cranberries’ tartness with extra sweetness and spices.

Preparation Method

Cranberry sauce and cranberry relish require different preparation methods:

  • Cranberry sauce is made by simmering fresh or thawed cranberries with sugar and water over low heat for 15-20 minutes. The berries pop open and liquefy into a smooth sauce.
  • Cranberry relish involves chopping cranberries then mixing them raw with other chopped fruits, nuts and spices. Everything is combined together without cooking.

So cranberry sauce requires lengthy stovetop cooking which enhances the sauce’s richness and melds the ingredients together. Cranberry relish simply mixes chopped raw ingredients for a fresher, crunchier texture.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some tips for serving cranberry sauce vs. cranberry relish:

  • Cranberry sauce can be served warm or chilled. Its smooth, spreadable texture makes it easy to spoon over turkey, ham and other meats.
  • Cranberry relish should be served chilled for optimal flavor and texture. Its chunky texture makes it better for dolloping rather than spreading.
  • Cranberry sauce is traditionally served in a bowl for easy spreading. Cranberry relish is best served in a dish that shows off the texture.
  • Pair cranberry sauce with classic Thanksgiving favorites like roast turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing.
  • Serve cranberry relish alongside richer meats like goose, duck or pork to cut through the fattiness.

The ideal serving vessel and dish pairings differ based on the condiment’s consistency.

Nutrition

Both cranberry sauce and cranberry relish are high in beneficial antioxidants due to their cranberry content. Here is a nutritional comparison per 1/4 cup serving:

Nutrition Facts Cranberry Sauce Cranberry Relish
Calories 140 117
Total Carbohydrates 36g 30g
Sugars 31g 24g
Fiber 1g 2g
Vitamin C 3mg 9mg

Cranberry sauce tends to be higher in calories and carbohydrates, while cranberry relish has more fiber and vitamin C. The extra fruits boost cranberry relish’s nutritional value. Both make nutritious additions to holiday meals.

Cost

Cranberry sauce is generally the more budget-friendly option. A 14 oz can of jellied cranberry sauce costs $1 to $3. Homemade cranberry sauce costs about $5 to make 1 1/2 cups.

Cranberry relish typically costs $10 to $15 to make 1 1/2 cups from scratch using fresh ingredients. Pre-made cranberry relish costs $3 to $8 for a 16 oz bowl.

The extra ingredients like oranges, nuts and spices drive up the cost of preparing cranberry relish. But convenience products make it more affordable.

Convenience

Canned jellied cranberry sauce is the most convenient option – it can be taken straight from the can to the table with no prep needed. Homemade cranberry sauce requires 15-20 minutes of stovetop cooking.

Cranberry relish requires chopping the ingredients, so 10-15 minutes of prep work. But no cooking is needed. Pre-made fresh cranberry relish eliminates any prep work for maximum convenience.

So if you need an instant, no-fuss cranberry condiment, reach for canned sauce. But homemade and pre-made relish offer more flavor for just a bit more effort.

Storage

Leftover cranberry sauce and relish can both be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Here are some storage tips:

  • Store cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. The gel will firm up when chilled.
  • Cranberry relish should also be transferred to an airtight container and kept refrigerated.
  • You can freeze either one for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
  • Canned cranberry sauce will keep 1 year past its “best by” date if unopened.

Properly stored, both cranberry condiments will maintain quality and safety for several weeks after opening. Freeze for longer term storage.

Popularity

Cranberry sauce is considered a traditional Thanksgiving staple on par with turkey and gravy. A national survey showed:

  • 68% of Americans eat cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner
  • 20% prefer canned cranberry sauce
  • 48% like homemade cranberry sauce

Cranberry relish has gained popularity over the past couple decades but still trails behind cranberry sauce. Approximately:

  • 28% of Thanksgiving hosts served cranberry relish in 2015
  • Up from about 10% who served it in the 1980s

While cranberry relish is increasing in popularity, cranberry sauce still dominates as the quintessential Thanksgiving cranberry condiment.

Google Search Trends

Looking at Google search trends in the U.S. over the past 15 years gives some insight into these condiments’ popularity.

  • “Cranberry sauce” recipes see significantly more searches than “cranberry relish” recipes
  • However, cranberry relish searches have been steadily increasing over time while cranberry sauce is flat/declining
  • Both peak in November around Thanksgiving

This data indicates cranberry sauce has long dominated holiday meals. But interest in cranberry relish is rising and this newer condiment is becoming more commonplace.

Conclusion

Cranberry sauce and cranberry relish offer twists on tart, fruity cranberry flavor. Cranberry sauce has a silky smooth texture, pronounced cranberry taste and classic gelatinous form. Cranberry relish features a chunkier relish-like consistency with a more complex medley of flavors. While cranberry sauce upholds tradition, cranberry relish offers more diversity and customization in ingredients.

At the end of the day, both cranberry sauce and cranberry relish complement Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. Cranberry sauce satisfies die-hard traditionalists who look forward to that jiggling can-shaped slice every year. Cranberry relish appeases those looking to liven up the usual holiday spread. Either way you go, the burst of sweet-tart cranberry goodness is sure to be a hit.