If you’re looking to bring a burst of festive color and bright, tangy-sweet flavor to your holiday table, the Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello Recipe is an absolute must-try. This delightful relish combines the classic tartness of cranberries with the rich sweetness of cherry Jello, balanced perfectly by the crunch of nuts and the refreshing zest of orange and celery. It’s not just a side dish; it’s a vibrant, flavorful experience that will have everyone asking for seconds and eager to add it to their family traditions. The ease of preparation and the beautiful contrast of textures make this Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello Recipe a total showstopper.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential, each playing a unique role to create the perfect harmony of flavor and texture. From the bright cherry Jello that forms the luscious base to the crisp celery and toasted nuts that add crunch, every component is thoughtfully chosen to make your relish pop with every bite.
- 6 oz Cherry Jello: This provides a sweet, fruity base with that iconic red color that brightens up the dish.
- 2 cups boiling water: Needed to dissolve the Jello completely for a smooth texture and even flavor distribution.
- 12 oz cranberries (fresh or thawed): These give a tart, vibrant contrast that balances the sweetness of the Jello.
- 1 medium orange zest and segments: Adds a fresh citrus brightness and aromatic depth that lifts the entire relish.
- 1 cup sugar: Sweetens the tart berries just enough without overpowering their natural flavor.
- 2 stalks celery, chopped: Brings a subtle crunch and refreshing flavor to the mix.
- 1/2 cup pecans: Adds a buttery crunch and nutty flavor, perfect for contrast.
- 1/2 cup walnuts: Earthy and crunchy, walnuts complement the pecans and add texture variety.
How to Make Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello Recipe
Step 1: Dissolve the Cherry Jello
Begin by dissolving the cherry Jello in 2 cups of boiling water. Pour the boiling water into an 8×8 glass pan, add the 6 oz cherry Jello, and stir continuously until the mixture is completely clear and the powder has dissolved. This step ensures your Jello base will be smooth and evenly flavored—an essential foundation for your relish.
Step 2: Prepare the Relish Mixture
While the Jello cools slightly, combine the cranberries, orange segments and zest, sugar, celery, pecans, and walnuts in a food processor. Pulse just enough to finely chop everything while still keeping the mixture chunky. You want those crunchy, fresh bits to stand out, so don’t over-process! This mixture brings wonderful texture and layers of flavor that complement the sweet Jello perfectly.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
Pour the relish mixture into the glass pan with the dissolved Jello and stir well to combine everything evenly. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. After this hour, stir the mixture once more, cover again, and let it chill until fully set—usually a few more hours or overnight. Give it a final stir before serving to ensure a delightful mix of flavors and textures in every spoonful.
How to Serve Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra chopped pecans or walnuts on top adds a lovely finishing crunch and a rustic look. For a pop of color and freshness, a few orange zest curls or thin sliced celery stalks can make your relish irresistible on the table. Fresh mint leaves also work wonderfully for a fragrant touch.
Side Dishes
This Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello Recipe pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or ham, making it a stellar addition to any holiday feast. It’s equally lovely alongside a simple cheese board or served with crusty bread and cream cheese for a sweet and refreshing appetizer.
Creative Ways to Present
Try molding the relish into festive shapes using silicone molds or decorative bowls to elevate the presentation. Serving it in individual glass cups or layering it with whipped cream and crushed nuts creates a sophisticated parfait-style dessert alternative. The jewel-like colors of the cherry and cranberry blend look stunning against a snowy white tablecloth or holiday-themed serving dishes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where the relish will stay fresh for up to 5 days. The flavors actually deepen and meld over time, making it great to prepare a day or two ahead.
Freezing
While freezing is possible, it’s not ideal for this kind of relish since the Jello’s texture might become grainy or watery once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh from the fridge within a few days.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat this dish, as it is intended to be served cold. Just give it a quick stir to refresh the texture and serve chilled for best flavor and appearance.
FAQs
Can I use cranberry sauce instead of fresh cranberries?
While fresh cranberries provide the best texture and tartness for this recipe, you can substitute cranberry sauce if pressed for time. Just be aware the relish will be less chunky and a bit sweeter, so consider adjusting the sugar accordingly.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
This Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello Recipe uses traditional gelatin from Jello, which is not vegan. However, you can try substituting with a plant-based gelatin alternative like agar-agar, though the texture and setting time might vary slightly.
Can I prepare the relish without nuts?
Absolutely! If you have nut allergies or simply prefer to skip them, you can leave out the nuts. The dish will still be delicious but with less crunch, so you might add extra chopped celery or seeds for texture.
How far in advance can I make this relish for a holiday dinner?
You can prepare the relish up to 2 days in advance. It flavors and sets perfectly with some chilling time, and making it ahead will save you precious holiday kitchen time.
Does the orange zest need to be fresh?
Yes, fresh orange zest and segments give the relish its bright, citrusy lift and aroma. Using dried zest won’t have the same vibrant effect, so fresh is best when possible.
Final Thoughts
This Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello Recipe is an incredible way to brighten any meal with a burst of color, sweet-tart flavor, and delightful crunch. It’s easy to make, fun to serve, and makes a memorable addition to holiday feasts or any gathering. I can’t wait for you to try it and watch your guests’ faces light up with every bite!
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Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cherry Cranberry Relish with Jello is a vibrant, tangy-sweet side dish perfect for holiday dinners and festive occasions. Made with fresh cranberries, sweet orange segments, crunchy nuts, and a smooth cherry Jello base, it offers a refreshing and colorful complement to savory meals. The relish is quick to prepare and requires chilling time for the flavors to meld and the gelatin to set into a delightful, chunky textured treat.
Ingredients
Liquid Base
- 6 oz Cherry Jello
- 2 cups boiling water
Relish Mix
- 12 oz 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 an 8×8 glass pan, pour 2 cups of boiling water over 6 oz of cherry Jello powder. Stir continuously until the gelatin powder is completely dissolved and the mixture appears clear.
- Prepare Relish: In a food processor, combine 12 oz of cranberries, the zest and segments of one medium orange, 1 cup sugar, 2 chopped celery stalks, 1/2 cup pecans, and 1/2 cup walnuts. Pulse the mixture until it is finely chopped but still maintains a chunky texture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Combine: Pour the processed relish mixture into the dissolved cherry Jello pan. Stir thoroughly to mix the relish evenly with the liquid gelatin base.
- Chill and Set: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. After this initial chill, stir the mixture to redistribute the ingredients. Cover again and refrigerate until the mixture is fully set, usually an additional 2 hours. Stir once more before serving to loosen the texture.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries when available for the best flavor; thawed frozen cranberries work well too.
- Chilling times are important for proper setting; do not rush the refrigeration process.
- For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the pecans and walnuts before adding.
- This relish can be made a day ahead to allow flavors to fully develop.
- Serve chilled as a side dish to turkey, chicken, or pork meals.
