Description
Best Ever Cranberry Sauce
This cranberry sauce is the ultimate addition to your holiday meal! Made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and a touch of cinnamon, it brings a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. It only takes 15 minutes to make, and the vibrant taste will elevate your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Cranberry sauce cuts through the richness of other dishes, adding a refreshing, light contrast that everyone loves. Plus, it’s great for leftover turkey sandwiches the next day! Get ready to make this crowd-pleaser a staple in your holiday menu.
¾ cup sugar
½ cup orange juice
½ cup water
12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed
Pinch of salt
1 cinnamon stick
1 piece of orange peel
Directions:
1. Combine sugar, orange juice, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
2. Add cranberries, salt, cinnamon stick, and orange peel.
3. Simmer for about 10 minutes until most cranberries have popped.
4. Let cool and refrigerate.
Prep Time: 1 min
Kcal: 100
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed instructions for perfect cranberry sauce every time.
- In a medium saucepan, combine ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup orange juice, and ½ cup water. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully add the 12 oz of rinsed fresh cranberries to the saucepan, along with a pinch of salt, one cinnamon stick, and a strip of orange peel (about 2 inches long).
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Allow it to cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately 10 minutes. You will hear the cranberries pop as they cook.
- Once the majority of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened slightly, remove the pan from the heat. Discard the cinnamon stick and orange peel.
- Transfer the sauce to a heatproof bowl or serving dish. Let it cool to room temperature before covering and refrigerating. The sauce will continue to thicken as it chills.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile sauce is more than just a turkey side. Serve it warm or chilled alongside your holiday roast turkey or ham. It’s also fantastic as a condiment for leftover turkey sandwiches, stirred into plain yogurt or oatmeal, spooned over baked brie or goat cheese, or even as a topping for pancakes or vanilla ice cream.
How-to Summary
In summary, create a simple syrup by dissolving sugar in orange juice and water. Add fresh cranberries, a cinnamon stick, and orange peel, then simmer for about 10 minutes until the berries pop and the sauce thickens. Cool and refrigerate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes, frozen cranberries work perfectly. There’s no need to thaw them; just add them directly to the saucepan. You may need to simmer for 1-2 minutes longer.
How far in advance can I make this? You can make this sauce up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors often improve after a day.
My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it? If your sauce is too runny after cooling, return it to a saucepan and simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes to reduce and concentrate the liquid.
Can I reduce the sugar? You can, but sugar is necessary for both sweetness and proper gel formation. Reducing it by more than a quarter may result in a very tart, looser sauce.
What can I substitute for the orange juice? Apple juice, cranberry juice, or even a combination of water and a tablespoon of lemon juice are excellent substitutes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking: Simmer only until most berries have popped. Overcooking can break down the pectin, leading to a runny sauce.
- Stirring Too Vigorously: Stir gently and occasionally. Aggressive stirring can crush the berries too much and make the sauce cloudy.
- Skipping the Cool-Down: The sauce thickens significantly as it cools. Don’t be alarmed if it seems thin while still hot.
- Using a Pot That’s Too Small: The cranberries need room to bubble and pop. Use a medium saucepan to prevent boil-overs.
Conclusion
This Best Ever Cranberry Sauce is a simple yet transformative element for your holiday table. With its perfect sweet-tart balance and bright, festive flavor, it effortlessly elevates everything from the main roast to next-day leftovers. By following this guide and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll create a homemade staple that is far superior to any canned version. It’s a quick, rewarding recipe that is sure to earn a permanent place in your culinary tradition.