Easy Cranberry Orange Chutney Recipe

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This flavor packed cranberry orange chutney has the perfect combination of sweet, tart and savory flavors for a great addition to dips, sandwiches, and meats - or you may just want to eat it by the spoonful!

a bowl of cranberry chutney with a spoon.

The tart of the cranberries, the sweet of the mandarin oranges, the tang of the vinegar, spice of the chilies...combined these flavors make the most delicious orange cranberry chutney.

It's great served with both sweet and savory holiday dishes like sous vide turkey breast, alongside this traditional herbed stuffing or with these air fryer biscuits. I could literally put this stuff on anything.

And to top it off, it is soooo easy to make, taking less than 30 minute from start to finish. Perfect for a quick accompaniment, or to make in advance and heat up when ready.

Jump to:

Why this cranberry orange chutney recipe works
The ingredients
Step by step instructions to make fresh cranberry chutney
Expert tips
Serving options
Frequently asked questions
More Thanksgiving recipes
Recipe
💬 Comments

Why this cranberry orange chutney recipe works

The combination of sweet and savory spices make the flavors explode, like this spiced apple chutney.
Simmering all the ingredients over low heat allows them to meld and results in a sweet and sticky concoction.
It's SUPER easy to make, and only takes 20 minutes - plus it has so many different uses (keep reading to see all the ways it can be used).

What is chutney and how do you use it?

Some of you may be wondering what chutney is. Well, chutney is basically a mix of fruits and/or vegetables combined with vinegar, spices and sugar. It originated in India, but has become widely available in many different types and flavors. Chutney can be sweet or savory, or even both (like this cranberry orange chutney).

Chutney was originally served as a side to Indian food to be eaten with spicy curries. With it's wide availability today, chutney also makes an amazing sandwich spread, a great dip when mixed with cream cheese, served with meats such as lamb, pork (try with this sous vide pork tenderloin) and duck, as a glaze....and the list goes on.

This cranberry orange chutney is amazing served in place of cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving dinner. Seriously, do it. Your guests will love you.

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The ingredients

ingredients for cranberry orange chutney on a bard with text overlay.

The full list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Either fresh or frozen cranberries can be used in this recipe, making it perfect for all year round. I like the convenience of frozen, but fresh are also great.

We use lemon zest instead of orange zest to give it a tartness that orange zest doesn't always provide. The rice vinegar helps with this as well.

Thai chilies help to add a but of spice to this fruity chutney. You can add more or less depending on your spice preference. You can also substitute serrano peppers or jalapenos if you prefer.

Fresh ginger or ginger paste are both good options to use. I like the convenience of the ginger paste, but fresh is great too.

Step by step instructions to make fresh cranberry chutney

ingredients for cranberry chutney in a saucepan.

Combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan.

cranberry sauce cooked down in a saucepan.

Bring to a simmer, then simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring periodically.

Expert tips

Dice the ingredients in small pieces for a more uniform chutney.
If the chutney starts to stick to the pan, add additional liquid.
If your chutney is too thin after 20-30 minutes, continue cooking until a thick consistency is reached.

Serving options

Put it in jars and give away as gifts. Note it is perishable and will need to be refrigerated.
Mix it with cream cheese to make a dip.
Use it as a spread on sandwiches (including burgers) - think leftover turkey sandwich....YUMMMMM.
Serve it on turkey or mix it into ground chicken or turkey for extra flavor.
Use it on this instant pot cornbread.
Use it on a meat and cheese platter.
Use it in this cranberry baked brie recipe.
Serve it alongside Indian style curries like this instant pot chana masala or this butternut squash curry.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between jam and chutney?

Basically, jam is sweet and chutney is savory. While chutney does have a lot of sweet components (particularly when using fruit), it also uses savory spices and vinegar.

In addition, jam is smoother, while chutney tends to be chunkier. Jam is typically made with one ingredient (usually fruit) while chutney is made with multiple ingredients to include fruit and/or vegetables.

Storage instructions for cranberry orange chutney.

Chutney can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Chutney can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 12 months. It can be thawed and heated in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat.

Freeze chutney for up to 12 months in an airtight container. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

More Thanksgiving recipes

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