Cranberry Chutney has been a holiday staple in our house for the last 25 years. It’s a delicious accompaniment to roast turkey or as a compote of a charcuterie board. I started making this cranberry chutney not long after we were married. It was just something a bit different than the traditional cranberry and orange compote.
(This recipe was originally published on December 21st, 2012. As an Amazon affiliate I earn commission on qualifying purchases). For years I’d never write the recipe down. I’d just start with cranberries and add spices, fruit and nuts until I like how it tasted. Some years I’d go a little heavier on the cayenne for a spicier kick, sometimes I’d add dried apricots instead of raisins. There really is no right or wrong way, and mostly through years of trial and error did I finally write something down.
Ingredients for cranberry chutney
- Fresh cranberries
- The zest, juice and flesh of an orange.
- Diced apple. I use Granny Smith for tartness, but you can use whichever variety you like.
- Sugar. I like brown sugar, but white sugar would work too.
- Spices; ginger, cloves, cinnamon, allspice and cayenne. Start with a pinch of cayenne and add more if you like a bit of heat.
- Walnuts for crunch.
- Apple cider vinegar for tartness.
- Optional; dried fruit like raisins, dried cranberries or dried apricots. The apricots add another texture and color.
Some years I go a little heavier on the cayenne for a spicier kick, sometimes I add dried apricots instead of raisins. There really is no right or wrong way, and mostly through years of trial and error did I finally write something down.
How to make cranberry chutney
Start with this basic cranberry chutney recipe. If you don’t like ginger, leave it out. If you like a little more heat, add more cayenne. Don’t have raisins? Add dried cranberries, or apricots. The best part is that you just add everything in a large saucepan and bring to a gentle boil. It takes about 20 minutes. The chutney will set up as it cools. Adjust the spices, adding more to taste.
What you serve cranberry chutney with?
I love how the sweet and spicy flavors blend with turkey, but this chutney also goes well with pork or ham.
You can also serve it with a warmed brie and crackers for a quick, last minute appetizer. I often make a double batch and give away small jars as hostess gifts.
Cranberry Chutney
Ingredients
- 1 bag of fresh cranberries 3 1/2 cups
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 oranges zested, then peeled and chop orange
- 1 Granny Smith apple diced
- 1/2 cup raisins and or dried cherries or apricots aisin sized pieces if using)(chop the apricots into r
- 1/3 cup walnuts chopped (optional)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ginger fresh (you can use powdered too, just start with less)
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves ground
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice ground
- Pinch cayenne (or more to taste
Instructions
- Throw everything into a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook on a low heat until the cranberries pop and fruit is soft about 15-20 minutes. Adjust the seasonings, or sweetness to your taste. Serve with turkey, or on top of cheese and crackers. Refrigerate for up to two weeks.
Nutrition
Nicky says
Hi Cynthia. This similar to my recipe for chutney. I love how the spices enhance the cranberries. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this during Our Little Family Adventure’s Thanksgiving Menu Planning Event. I’ve added a link to your recipe on my planning post. ~Nicky
Pam Greer says
I make a cranberry chutney that I’ve been making for years too! Yours sounds a little different, so I’ll have to give it a try!
Cynthia says
I love how chutney can have so many variations!
Ellen says
What great flavor. I can see this over a block of cream cheese and served with crackers as an appetizer.
Cynthia says
That’s what we usually do with the leftovers!
Lynne says
Just made it. The house smells like Christmas
Cynthia says
Thank you so much!
Andrea Metlika says
This looks and sounds fabulous. All the different fruits used is just perfect.
Cynthia says
I vary what I put in every year…so it’s never quite the same!
mimi rippee says
Beautiful. Chutney is so fun because you can use just about anything you like! I have a primer of making chutney, I think in December, because so many people feel they must use a specific recipe. But I do love what you’ve put together here!
Cynthia says
I’ll have to check yours out Mimi! Yes, there really shouldn’t be any hard and fast rules to chutney. For years I never wrote anything down, just threw stuff in the pan and adjusted until it tasted right.
Christina says
I love recipes that are easily customized to different taste buds. The addition of apricots sounds wonderful! Will have to try this!
Cynthia says
Sometimes I like to make it a bit spicier too!
Emily says
Oh yum. I love a good chutney, and I’ve been trying to think of a fun spin on cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. I think I found my answer!
Cynthia says
We usually have two…the traditional cranberry and orange sauce and this one.
Molly says
What a gorgeous presentation! Thanks for posting this cranberry recipe. It sounds so good!
Cynthia says
Thank you Molly!
Kathy Mcdonald says
Delicious and the house smells amazing! We live in New England next to a 25 acre cranberry bog! I used cranberries that our neighbor and local cranberry grower gives us every year, delicious Harry and David pears that were gifted to us, and I added a chopped shallot! Yum! Merry Christmas!
Cynthia says
thank you!