National Cranberry Relish Day is celebrated on November 22, right in time for Thanksgiving in the United States. Cranberry relish is a classic dish often found on holiday tables, known for its bright, tangy flavor that complements the heavier foods of the season, such as turkey and stuffing. Unlike cranberry sauce, which is cooked and smooth, cranberry relish typically uses raw cranberries mixed with ingredients like oranges, apples, or nuts, resulting in a chunkier, fresher taste.
This day highlights not just the relish itself, but also the tradition of making and sharing this dish with family and friends. Cranberry relish adds a pop of color and freshness to meals, balancing out the rich and savory flavors of holiday feasts.
National Cranberry Relish Day is a reminder to celebrate the role that cranberries play in holiday meals and encourages people to try making their own version at home, experimenting with flavors and textures that suit their tastes. It’s also a perfect opportunity to add a homemade, nutritious touch to your Thanksgiving spread.
When is National Cranberry Relish Day Celebrated?
National Cranberry Relish Day is perfectly timed for Thanksgiving preparations. Falling on November 22 each year, it serves as a flavorful kickoff to the holiday feast. It’s a good companion to days like National Stuffing Day on November 21 or National Pumpkin Day in October. For anyone planning their holiday menu or simply looking to celebrate cranberry dishes, this day adds a bright spot to the fall calendar. Here’s a look at when it will be celebrated over the next several years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | November 22, Friday |
| 2025 | November 22, Saturday |
| 2026 | November 22, Sunday |
| 2027 | November 22, Monday |
| 2028 | November 22, Wednesday |
| 2029 | November 22, Thursday |
| 2030 | November 22, Friday |
History of Cranberry Relish
Cranberries have long been a part of American cuisine, especially during the holiday season. While cranberry sauce often takes center stage, cranberry relish brings a different texture and flavor profile. It’s thought to have roots in Native American recipes, and as cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North America, they’ve played a key role in Thanksgiving traditions for centuries.
Though the exact origins of National Cranberry Relish Day are not entirely clear, the day serves as a reminder to celebrate this lesser-known yet equally delicious side dish.
Fun Facts About Cranberries
Cranberries, the main component of cranberry relish, play an essential role in many holiday meals, but there’s a lot more to them than just their place on the table. From their history to their unique growing conditions, here are a few things to know about this fascinating fruit:
- Cranberries are one of the few fruits that thrive in acidic soil. They grow in bogs, with specific environmental conditions that require a lot of water but allow the fruit to be harvested through a flooding technique.
- Native Americans used cranberries in many ways. They added them to pemmican, a type of preserved meat, and used them for medicinal purposes, including treating wounds.
- The majority of cranberries are grown in just a few places. The United States, specifically Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and New Jersey, produces the most cranberries, along with parts of Canada.
- Cranberry juice became a popular health remedy. Cranberry juice is widely believed to help prevent urinary tract infections, though research shows mixed results.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
