Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce

 

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce recipe is easy to make and delicious if you balance the cranberry acidity with the right amount of sugar and spices. You may use fresh or frozen berries for this recipe.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Stocks & Sauces
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cranberry Sauce
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Yield about 2 cups

  • 2 cups whole cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 0.5 cup sugar
  • 1 medium orange, grated zest and juice
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 1 stick cinnamon, about 3" long, broken in half
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

  • Sort the cranberries, discarding any soft ones. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together the cranberries, sugar, orange zest and juice, water, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover partially. Simmer, occasionally stirring, until the sauce thickens and the cranberries have burst 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Transfer to a bowl and let cool, then cover and refrigerate until serving. You will have about 2 cups of sauce.

Video

Cranberry Sauce: Cooking Tips

1. Use Fresh or Frozen Berries: Fresh berries offer a vibrant flavor, but frozen cranberries work well too, especially if fresh ones aren’t in season.

2. Adjust Sweetness Gradually: Taste as you cook, especially if you’re using oranges of varying sweetness. You can add a bit more sugar if the sauce is too tart.

3. Add Citrus Zest at the Right Time: Orange zest brings a bright flavor. Add half initially and adjust as it cooks, to avoid overwhelming the sauce with citrus.

4. Experiment with Spices: Cinnamon and cloves add warmth, but you can try other spices like star anise, ginger, or even a dash of nutmeg for a unique twist.

5. Control Texture by Cooking Time: For a thicker sauce, simmer longer. If you prefer a more jelly-like texture, cook a few minutes less.

6. Let It Cool Before Serving: The sauce thickens as it cools, so allow time for it to set fully before serving.

7. Make It Ahead: Cranberry sauce improves in flavor after a day in the fridge, making it an ideal dish to prepare in advance.

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