This keto-friendly cranberry relish is a refreshing and light complement to the standard heavy Thanksgiving fare, perfect for those following a low-carb lifestyle. Unlike traditional cranberry sauces loaded with sugar and corn syrup, this recipe utilizes keto-friendly sweeteners and clever substitutions to deliver a tart, sweet, and flavorful dish with minimal carbs.
What is Cranberry Relish?
The big difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish is that relish is made from raw ingredients that are blended together to create a fresh and tart flavor.
Why Choose This Keto Cranberry Relish?
- Low Carb: With just a fraction of the carbs found in traditional cranberry sauce, this recipe allows you to enjoy a holiday favorite without derailing your ketogenic diet. Some recipes boast as little as 2 grams of net carbs per 1/4 cup serving.
- Delicious and Flavorful: The combination of fresh or frozen cranberries, keto-friendly sweeteners, and complementary flavors like orange zest, apple cider vinegar, and spices creates a well-balanced and satisfying taste.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly simple and requires minimal cooking. Most recipes involve combining all ingredients in a food processor or saucepan and pulsing or simmering to the desired consistency.
- Versatile: This relish can be served warm or cold and pairs well with a variety of dishes, from holiday meals to everyday meals.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Cranberries: Use fresh or frozen cranberries.
- Sweetener:
- Allulose: Preferred sweetener as it dissolves like white sugar and has no cooling aftertaste.
- Erythritol: A popular keto-friendly sweetener.
- Monk Fruit: Another option for those avoiding sugar.
- Swerve: A blend of erythritol and oligosaccharides.
- Liquid Stevia: Can be used but erythritol is generally preferred.
- Orange Zest: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor. For those avoiding orange zest, a little orange extract can be substituted.
- Lemon Juice: Enhances the tartness and helps thicken the sauce due to its pectin content.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides tanginess.
- Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, and pumpkin pie spice can be added for warmth and complexity.
- Water: Used to simmer the ingredients.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Keto Cranberry Relish
Fresh Cranberry Relish (Food Processor Method)
- Combine all ingredients (cranberries, sweetener, orange zest, apple cider vinegar, and any desired spices) into a food processor or blender.
- Pulse to the desired consistency. Some prefer a chunkier relish, while others prefer a smoother texture.
- Transfer into a serving dish and enjoy!
Keto Cranberry Sauce (Saucepan Method)
- In a medium saucepan, add water, orange zest, and sweetener. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add cranberries and lemon juice. Simmer on low for 12-15 minutes, or until the cranberries burst open. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. For a chunkier sauce, cook closer to 12 minutes; for a smoother sauce, cook closer to 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and transfer the sauce to a bowl.
- Cover and chill in the fridge until ready to serve. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Keto Cranberry Chutney (Saucepan Method)
- In a medium saucepan, add water and both sugars.
- Over high heat, bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugars.
- Add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Return mixture to a boil.
- Decrease heat and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of the cranberries have popped and mixture has thickened. Stir occasionally.
- Serve warm or cold.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Keto Cranberry Relish
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: The sweetness of this dish is up to you. Start with a smaller amount of sweetener and add more as needed.
- Control the Texture: For a chunkier relish, pulse the ingredients less in the food processor or cook for a shorter time in the saucepan. For a smoother relish, pulse more or cook longer. An immersion blender can also be used to break down the berries to a barely chunky texture.
- Don't Worry About Thin Sauce: The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Add Spices for Extra Flavor: Experiment with different spices like cinnamon, cloves, or pumpkin pie spice to customize the flavor.
- Use Orange Extract: If you are worried about using the orange zest, you can always just substitute it with a little orange extract.
- Make a Double Batch: With so many uses for leftover cranberry sauce, you might want to make a double batch!
Serving Suggestions
- Holiday Meals: Serve alongside turkey, ham, or other main dishes.
- Everyday Meals: Pair with pork chops, chicken, or seafood.
- Appetizers: Top chaffles, keto English muffins, or a softened block of cream cheese with the relish. Serve with cheese whisps, keto crackers, or pork rinds.
- Leftovers:
- Spread over pancakes or waffles.
- Use in a protein shake.
- Make a Cranberry Vinaigrette.
- Mix with Dijon mustard for a delicious turkey sandwich topping.
- Cranberry Smoothie: Quick and easy to make, this smoothie is cool and refreshing!
- Make jello. Dissolve 1 packet of jello mix (make sure it has no added sugar) once the sauce has been removed from the heat.
- Add spices. Add more flavor.
Storage Instructions
- Store leftover cranberry sauce in a lidded container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- For longer storage, freeze the sauce in an air-tight container with a piece of plastic wrap right on top of the sauce before closing the lid. It will keep for about a month in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and then set it out on the counter for about 30 minutes prior to serving.
Is Cranberry Sauce Good for Weight Loss?
Since you’re not likely to sit down and eat a whole bowl of cranberry sauce, though it’s SO good you may be tempted, a serving along side your turkey will have minimal impact on your carb allowance.
Can You Eat Cranberries Without Sugar?
You can, but because fresh cranberries are rather tart, so most likely you’ll want to use some sort of sugar substitutes.
Keto Cranberry Chutney Serving Suggestions
You have some awesome low carb options for serving this chutney! It’s an awesome and pretty dish which makes it a wonderful choice to serve with holiday meals. It pairs well with ham, pork chops and pork roasts, and turkey; but it can also be added to beef, chicken, and seafood dishes. You can serve this with anything from burgers, brats, and keto sandwiches to roasts and fine seafood mains.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
This chutney also makes a great addition to any number of appetizers. You can top some chaffles or keto English muffins with it. Another delicious appetizer option is to top a softened block of cream cheese with this chutney. You can then serve it with cheese whisps, keto crackers, or pork rinds.
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