As autumn arrives, the kitchen fills with the scent of spices. This is the time when we all look forward to the holidays. Homemade cranberry sauce is a must-have for Thanksgiving, with its bright color and tangy sweetness.
My grandmother’s cranberry sauce was always the highlight of our family gatherings. I’ve kept this tradition alive with my twist. This recipe is simple, needing just a few ingredients from your pantry. It’s perfect for anyone, whether you’re experienced in cooking or just starting.
Key Takeaways
- Homemade cranberry sauce is straightforward to make with just 4 simple ingredients.
- You can use fresh or frozen cranberries – no need to thaw if using frozen.
- Cranberry sauce can be prepared well in advance and frozen for up to 2 months.
- Serve chilled to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to firm up.
- This recipe yields 4 servings, with a total prep and cook time of just 20 minutes.
Simplicity of Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Nothing says ‘holidays’ like the tangy flavor of homemade cranberry sauce! This easy recipe needs just a few things: cranberries, sugar, and water or juice. Making it at home lets you control the taste and avoid preservatives found in store-bought sauces.
Discover the Ease and Joy
Making your cranberry sauce is very simple. It only takes 15 minutes to cook. You’ll need water, orange juice, sugar, and cranberries. The cranberries are just 12 ounces (340 grams).
After cooking, let the sauce cool for at least 2 hours. It can stay in the fridge for up to 1 week. Making this sauce at home is incredibly rewarding.
Cranberries are full of antioxidants, making them a holiday superfood. The recipe uses 2 cups of frozen cranberries. It also includes cane sugar for a less sweet taste with a hint of molasses.
The sauce cooks for 15 minutes, blending the flavors of cranberries, orange juice, and spices. It’s made by someone in Toronto, Canada, adding a Canadian touch
terianncarty.com
Cranberry Sauce – Teri-Ann Carty. This sauce is great as a side or with other holiday dishes.
The recipe focuses on using fresh ingredients like cranberries and orange juice. It also uses cinnamon and nutmeg for extra flavor. As it cools, the sauce thickens naturally, without needing extra thickeners.
“Making homemade cranberry sauce is easier than you think! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a vibrant, flavorful condiment that’s perfect for your Thanksgiving spread and beyond.”
Ingredients Rundown
Making a great homemade cranberry sauce starts with simple, tasty ingredients. At the center are the cranberries, adding a tart and fruity taste. These berries are full of nutrients and antioxidants, helping with health issues like urinary tract infections and some cancers.
To balance the cranberries‘ tartness, we add sugar. You can use white, brown sugar, or natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey. This sweetener makes the sauce taste just right. The liquid, like water or orange or apple juice, helps the cranberries cook down to a sauce.
You can also add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice to make the sauce even better. This homemade cranberry sauce lets you tailor the flavor to your liking, making it a true treat.
“The simplicity of this recipe is what makes it so special – just a few pantry staples come together to create a vibrant and flavorful cranberry sauce that elevates any meal.”
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making homemade cranberry sauce is easy and fun. Start by mixing fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, and your favorite liquid (like orange juice or water) in a saucepan.
Heat the mix until it starts boiling, then lower the heat. Let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring now and then. As the cranberries cook, the sauce will thicken and turn a beautiful color.
Don’t forget to take out any cinnamon sticks or spices before turning off the heat. Once it’s cooled down, put it in an airtight container in the fridge. This way, it’s ready when you need it.
- Combine cranberries, sugar, and liquid in a saucepan
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes
- Stir occasionally until cranberries break down and the sauce thickens
- Remove any aromatics like cinnamon stick
- Let cool to room temperature before refrigerating
That’s it! With just a few simple steps, you can make a homemade cranberry sauce that’s way better than store-bought.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fresh or Frozen Cranberries | 12 oz (about 3 cups) |
| Granulated Sugar | 1 cup |
| Liquid (Water, Orange Juice, Brandy) | 1/2 cup |
| Cinnamon Stick (optional) | 1 |
This cranberry sauce recipe is simple and versatile. With just a few ingredients and a little effort, you can make a tasty homemade sauce. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering.
“Homemade cranberry sauce is a game-changer. Once you taste the fresh, vibrant flavors, you’ll never go back to the store-bought kind.”
Tailoring to Your Taste
Homemade cranberry sauce is incredibly versatile. You can change it to fit your taste. Want a bit of citrus, some spice, or a bit of sweetness? The choices are endless to make this dish special.
Cranberry Sauce Variations
Try different sweeteners. Use maple syrup, white sugar, brown sugar, or honey for unique tastes. For a tangier sauce, mix sweeteners.
Want a zesty kick? Add orange juice or citrus zest. It balances the cranberries’ tartness. A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger adds warmth.
For a mix of sweet and savory, add diced apples, figs, or jalapeños. You can make this sauce your own in many ways.
| Ingredient Variations | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| White sugar, brown sugar, honey | Sweeteners |
| Orange juice, citrus zest | Citrusy |
| Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger | Warm spices |
| Apples, figs, jalapeños | Savory-sweet |
Is your sauce smooth or chunky? You can adjust it. For a smooth sauce, strain it through a mesh sieve.
“The beauty of homemade cranberry sauce is that it can be tailored to your exact taste preferences. Experiment with different sweeteners, spices, and add-ins to create a signature version that your family will love.”
Choose your path with cranberry sauce, and you’ll get a vibrant, tasty condiment for your holiday meal. Be creative and enjoy the process!
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Homemade cranberry sauce is a delicious side dish perfect for Thanksgiving. Fresh cranberries are available from mid-September to the end of the year. This makes it a great time to make a batch or two.
This cranberry sauce recipe keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days. It’s perfect for making ahead, saving you time on Thanksgiving. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.
The sauce will thicken as it cools, so you can make it a day or two early. If you make it ahead, add an extra 1/4 cup of liquid to keep it right.
This homemade cranberry sauce adds a vibrant touch to your holiday table. It’s easy to get ahead, letting you focus on other Thanksgiving tasks.
Serving Suggestions
Homemade cranberry sauce is more than just for Thanksgiving turkey. It’s great on roasted chicken or pork, or even in oatmeal or yogurt. Its sweet-tart taste can make many dishes better.
Try it on toast or bagels for a tasty breakfast, or with baked brie for a fancy appetizer. There are so many ways to use cranberry sauce during the holidays and beyond.
For something different, top vanilla ice cream with it or use it as a dip for apple slices. This sauce is so versatile, you can use it in many creative ways.
Canned Cranberry Sauce Upgrades
Even canned cranberry sauce can be improved. Many families enjoy it at Thanksgiving. To open it without losing the sauce’s shape, start from the bottom.
Make it special by cutting out shapes with cookie cutters or adding fresh cranberries and walnuts. Orange zest and thyme can also give it a unique flavor. Stewed apples with cinnamon add a nice contrast to the tartness.
Whether you make your own or use canned, the fun is in being creative. Enjoy finding new ways to make your meals better with cranberry sauce.
cranberry sauce recipe
Make your Thanksgiving feast special with this easy homemade cranberry sauce recipe. It’s full of sweet-tart flavors from fresh cranberries. This sauce is great with roasted turkey, savory stuffing, and other holiday dishes. You can make a batch quickly with just a few ingredients.
This recipe balances sweet and tart perfectly. Cranberries add a natural tartness that sugar balances out. The result is a thick, jammy sauce with a bold, fruity taste. You can adjust the recipe to fit your taste preferences.
- Cranberries typically become available in late October.
- Fresh cranberries can be frozen and kept for up to a year.
- The popularity of cranberry sauce increases during the holiday season, particularly during Thanksgiving.
- The recipe can be prepared up to 1 week before serving.
- Leftover cranberry sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
- Cranberry sauce can be frozen for up to 6 months.
To make this easy cranberry sauce, mix fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, and a bit of water in a saucepan. Boil it, then lower the heat and simmer until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens about 10 minutes.
Once it cools, serve it right away or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. For extra flavor, try adding pecans, orange zest, raisins, currants, blueberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice.
“This cranberry sauce recipe is a game-changer! The perfect balance of sweet and tart, and so easy to make. I’ll never go back to the canned stuff again.”
Whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving feast or just want to add a seasonal touch to your meals, try this easy homemade cranberry sauce recipe. Its vibrant color, delicious flavor, and versatility make it a new holiday favorite.
Nutritional Benefits
Homemade cranberry sauce is not just tasty; it’s also packed with health benefits. Cranberries are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. These nutrients can boost your immune system, fight inflammation, and support your urinary tract health. Making your own sauce means avoiding preservatives and sugars found in store-bought versions.
Cranberries are loaded with phenols, making them a powerhouse of antioxidants. These compounds can protect your liver and heart, improving your overall health. They also help keep your mouth healthy by reducing acid and preventing bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
The fiber in cranberries is great for your gut, helping to remove harmful substances and prevent bacteria from sticking to your stomach walls. They can also help prevent urinary tract infections by stopping bacteria from attaching to your bladder walls.
Thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties, cranberries may help prevent chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes. The antioxidants in cranberries, such as proanthocyanidins, can lower cancer risk and reduce heart disease risk.
| Nutrient | Amount per Cup of Raw Cranberries | Percentage of Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 46 | – |
| Fat | 0 g | – |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g | – |
| Fiber | 4 g | – |
| Sugar | 4 g | – |
| Protein | 1 g | – |
| Sodium | 2 mg | – |
| Vitamin C | 25% | – |
| Vitamin K | 6% | – |
| Vitamin A | 9% | – |
| Potassium | 2% | – |
| Iron | 1% | – |
| Calcium | 1% | – |
| Vitamin E | 8% | – |
| Manganese | 16% | – |
| Copper | 7% | – |
| B-complex vitamins | 8% | – |
In summary, homemade cranberry sauce is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a great addition to a healthy diet. By making your own sauce, you can enjoy all the health benefits that cranberries offer.
Troubleshooting Guide
Making the perfect homemade cranberry sauce can be tricky. But, with a few easy tips, you can fix any issues. If your sauce is too runny, there are steps to thicken it.
First, make sure you use all the sugar the recipe calls for. Sugar helps the sauce thicken as it cooks. Also, cook the cranberries long enough for them to break down and release their natural pectin, which thickens the sauce.
If the sauce is still too thin, keep cooking it until it’s right. Chilling the sauce in the fridge will also help it firm up as it cools.
If your sauce tastes too bitter, there are fixes for that too. Raw cranberries are very sour and bitter. Cooking them too long can make the sauce bitter. To fix this, add more sugar, a pinch of salt, or a splash of apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
With a bit of troubleshooting, you can get the perfect cranberry sauce for your holiday feast.
History and Traditions
Cranberry sauce is a key part of Thanksgiving and other big meals in the U.S. It comes from Native American tribes, who used cranberries in pemmican, a mix of dried meat and fruit. When European settlers came, they added cranberries to their holiday meals. This made cranberry sauce a must-have for Thanksgiving.
Over time, cranberry sauce has kept its special meaning. In 1796, Amelia Simmons wrote the first American cookbook, mentioning “cranberries”. By the late 1800s, cookbooks like The Home Cook Books started talking about cranberry sauce. In the 20th century, recipes got more creative, adding fruits like pears or apples.
Today, canned cranberry sauce is still a big hit on Thanksgiving tables. But homemade cranberry sauce is also gaining fans. People love trying new flavors, like cranberry-pear or spiced cranberry sauces.
Cranberry Sauce Traditions
Cranberry sauce is a big part of Thanksgiving in the U.S. Americans eat five million gallons of it during the holidays. Even though most buy it, making it at home is still special for many families.
The cranberry industry has a complex history. It’s linked to bad working conditions and child labor in the past. Now, it uses both machines and hand-picking to get the berries.
Whether you buy it or make it, cranberry sauce is a beloved part of Thanksgiving. It connects us to the rich history and traditions of this tart, red sauce.
Conclusion
Making your own homemade cranberry sauce is a simple yet rewarding task. It can make your holiday meals even better. With just a few ingredients, like 1 pound of fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of orange juice, you can make a sauce that’s far better than store-bought.
This easy cranberry sauce recipe lets you add your own twist. You can change the sugar amount or try different citrus juices. You can even use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar. This sauce is great with turkey and stuffing or in other dishes. It will become a favorite part of your holiday meals.
You can keep this homemade cranberry sauce in the fridge for 2 weeks or freeze it for 3 months. This means you can make it ahead of time, saving you stress during the holidays. So, why not try making this delicious sauce for Thanksgiving this year?
FAQ
What are the main ingredients in this homemade cranberry sauce recipe?
The main ingredients are cranberries, sugar, and a liquid (water or juice). Cranberries are the star, and you can use fresh or frozen. Sugar balances the tartness of the cranberries. You can use white sugar, brown sugar, or sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.
The liquid helps the cranberries cook down. It creates the sauce-like consistency you want.
How easy is it to make homemade cranberry sauce?
Making homemade cranberry sauce is incredibly simple. Just combine cranberries, sugar, and liquid in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for 10-12 minutes.
Until the cranberries break down and the sauce thickens.
Can I customize this cranberry sauce recipe?
Absolutely! You can customize this basic cranberry sauce recipe to your liking. Try adding a cinnamon stick, citrus zest or juice, or spices like nutmeg or ginger.
For a spicy twist, stir in diced jalapeños. You can also adjust the sweetener or texture to your liking.
How long does homemade cranberry sauce keep?
Homemade cranberry sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It’s perfect for a make-ahead Thanksgiving side dish.
For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
What are some ways to use homemade cranberry sauce beyond the Thanksgiving turkey?
Cranberry sauce is versatile. Use it as a topping for roasted chicken or pork. Stir it into oatmeal or yogurt.
Spread it on toast or bagels. It’s also great with vanilla ice cream or as a dip for apple slices.
What are the potential health benefits of homemade cranberry sauce?
Cranberries are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber. They may support urinary tract health, improve immune function, and reduce inflammation.
By making your own cranberry sauce, you avoid preservatives and added sugars found in store-bought varieties.
What should I do if my homemade cranberry sauce turns out too runny?
If your cranberry sauce is too runny, there are a few fixes. Make sure you’re using the full amount of sugar. Sugar helps the mixture thicken.
Simmer the cranberries long enough for them to break down and release their natural pectin. This acts as a thickener. If it’s still too thin, continue simmering until it thickens.
Chilling the cranberry sauce in the refrigerator will also help it firm up further.
What is the history and significance of cranberry sauce in the United States?
Cranberry sauce has been a Thanksgiving staple in the United States for a long time. It has its roots in Native American cuisine, where cranberries were used in pemmican.
As European settlers arrived, cranberries became part of celebratory feasts. Today, homemade cranberry sauce holds a special place in the holiday season, representing cherished flavors and traditions.
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