Tangy Cranberry Sauce Recipe: A Thanksgiving Must-Have

Crafting a delightful homemade cranberry sauce brings festive magic to your thanksgiving table.

Sweet and tart flavors dance together in this simple recipe.

Berries burst with seasonal charm, creating a vibrant accompaniment to roasted turkey.

Minimal ingredients combine for maximum impact, surprising even experienced home cooks.

Fresh cranberries become a culinary canvas waiting to be transformed.

Your guests will marvel at the rich, complex taste that beats any store-bought version.

This crimson condiment promises to become the unexpected star of your holiday feast.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Perfect for Your Feast

• Craft a Crowd-Pleaser: Impress family and friends with a homemade cranberry sauce that beats any store-bought version, adding a personal touch to your holiday spread.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust the texture from chunky to smooth by using a potato masher or blender, giving you complete control over the final consistency.
• Stress-Free Preparation: Create this delightful sauce ahead of time, allowing it to chill overnight and freeing up precious cooking time on the big day.
• Elevate Your Thanksgiving Feast: Transform a simple side dish into a gourmet experience with minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking steps.

Ingredients for Classic Homemade Cranberry Sauce

• Water: A liquid that helps dissolve sugar and create the sauce's initial consistency.
• Orange Juice: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor and natural sweetness to the cranberry sauce.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the sauce as it cooks.

• Vanilla: Adds a warm, subtle depth to the sauce's overall taste profile.
• Cinnamon: Brings a warm, aromatic spice that complements the tartness of cranberries.

• Cranberries: Fresh berries that create the signature tart and vibrant sauce with a beautiful red color.

How to Make Cranberry Sauce from Scratch

Step 1: Combine Flavorful Liquid Base

Whisk together water, orange juice, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it starts to bubble and blend smoothly.

Step 2: Introduce Cranberries

Gently drop fresh cranberries into the simmering liquid. Reduce the heat to create a gentle simmer, allowing the berries to start their magical transformation.

Step 3: Encourage Berry Burst

Let the cranberries simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally and watch as the berries begin to pop and release their vibrant color and tangy flavor.

Step 4: Mash and Texture

Use a potato masher to crush the cranberries, creating a rustic texture. For those who prefer a silky smooth sauce, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until completely smooth.

Step 5: Final Thickening

Continue simmering for an additional 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let the sauce rest uncovered on the burner, allowing it to cool and naturally thicken for 20-30 minutes.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Transfer the cranberry sauce to an airtight container. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours to develop deep, rich flavors before serving at your holiday feast.

Pro Tips for Tangy and Sweet Cranberry Sauce

• Choose fresh, plump cranberries for the best texture and flavor in your homemade sauce.
• Adjust sugar levels to taste, adding more for sweetness or less for a tart profile that complements savory dishes.
• Mash cranberries partially for a rustic texture or blend completely for a smooth, silky consistency.
• Enhance the sauce with optional zest from orange peel or a splash of Grand Marnier for depth of flavor.
• Store the cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

Variations to Personalize Your Cranberry Sauce

• Spiced Apple Cranberry Sauce: Replace orange juice with apple cider, add diced apples during cooking for extra texture and warmth.
• Maple Pecan Cranberry Sauce: Swap granulated sugar with maple syrup, stir in chopped pecans after cooking for a nutty crunch.
• Ginger Citrus Cranberry Sauce: Add fresh grated ginger, replace orange juice with lemon and lime juice for a zesty flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Berry Blend: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, mix in fresh raspberries or blueberries for natural sweetness and reduced calories.

Pairing Suggestions for Cranberry Sauce

• Complement Turkey's Richness: Serve this tangy cranberry sauce alongside roasted turkey to cut through the meat's richness and add a bright, zesty flavor profile that enhances the traditional Thanksgiving main course.
• Match with Creamy Cheese Boards: Spread the cranberry sauce on a charcuterie board featuring brie, camembert, or goat cheese to create a delightful sweet-and-creamy contrast that delights taste buds.
• Pair with Sparkling Wines: Uncork a crisp prosecco or champagne to mirror the sauce's tartness, with the bubbles and acidity creating a refreshing palate cleanser between bites of hearty holiday dishes.

How to Store Cranberry Sauce Properly

Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days in the refrigerator, ensuring the sauce is completely cooled before sealing.

Transfer the cooled sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.

Move frozen cranberry sauce to the refrigerator overnight, allowing it to defrost slowly and maintain its texture.

Warm in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water or orange juice if the sauce seems too thick.

FAQs

• Are fresh or frozen cranberries better for this recipe?

Fresh and frozen cranberries work equally well. Frozen cranberries can be used directly from the freezer without thawing, making them a convenient option when fresh berries aren’t available.

• Why add orange juice to cranberry sauce?

Orange juice adds a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the tartness of cranberries. It also helps balance the sweetness and provides additional depth to the sauce’s overall taste profile.

• Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Yes, you can reduce sugar by 1/4 to 1/2 cup depending on your preference. The sauce will be more tart but still delicious. Alternatively, you can use honey or maple syrup as a partial sugar substitute.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Perfect For Thanksgiving! Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Cranberry Sauce Magic brings festive seasonal charm to holiday tables with its simple, zesty blend of tart berries and sweet notes. Homemade goodness elevates your Thanksgiving feast, offering a delightful condiment that complements traditional roasted meats and hearty sides.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh cranberries
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) pure orange juice

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) water

Spice and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Combine water, orange juice, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan, heating over medium-high until the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
2. Gently introduce whole cranberries into the bubbling liquid, immediately reducing heat to a gentle simmer.
3. Allow cranberries to cook undisturbed for 10-12 minutes, occasionally stirring, watching for berries to burst and release their natural pectin.
4. When most berries have split open, crush them using a potato masher to create a rustic texture, or puree completely in a blender for a smoother consistency.
5. Continue simmering for an additional 3 minutes to concentrate flavors and achieve desired thickness.
6. Remove from heat, leaving the sauce uncovered on the stove to cool and naturally thicken for 20-30 minutes at room temperature.
7. Transfer the vibrant crimson sauce to a sealed container and refrigerate overnight or for a minimum of 6 hours to enhance the flavor profile and achieve optimal serving consistency.

Notes

• Customize the sweetness by adjusting sugar levels, adding more for a sweeter sauce or less for a tart flavor profile.
• Experiment with alternative sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar for different dietary needs or flavor variations.
• Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess liquid if the sauce appears too runny, creating a thicker consistency perfect for spreading or serving.
• Enhance the sauce with additional spices like star anise, cardamom, or a pinch of ground cloves to create a more complex and interesting flavor dimension.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 110 kcal
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg