Cranberry Sauce

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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This cranberry sauce is a holiday staple that brings a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness to your table. It's simple to make yet adds a vibrant touch to any meal. Let's dive into how you can whip up this classic with ease.

Ingredients for Cranberry Sauce

Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are the star, giving the sauce its signature tartness and vibrant color. Granulated sugar: Balances the cranberries' natural tartness with just the right amount of sweetness. Orange juice: Adds a citrusy brightness that complements the cranberries perfectly. Water: Helps create the syrupy base for the sauce. Ground cinnamon: Introduces a warm, spicy note that enhances the overall flavor. Ground cloves: Adds depth with its aromatic punch. Salt: Just a pinch to elevate all the other flavors.

Tips & Tricks

  • Make it ahead of time: The flavors meld beautifully when the sauce sits overnight.
  • Adjust the sweetness: Feel free to tweak the sugar level to match your taste.
  • Experiment with texture: For a chunkier sauce, leave some cranberries whole.

Serving Suggestions

This cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or chicken. Try it as a topping for warm brie or spread it on freshly baked bread for a delicious twist. It also works as a fantastic contrast to rich, savory dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes, just rinse them well and use them directly from the freezer.
How long does the sauce keep?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it should last up to two weeks.
Can I skip the cloves?
Absolutely, if you're not a fan of cloves, you can omit them without a problem.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe Walkthrough

Start by giving those cranberries a good rinse under cold water. You want to remove any debris and get them clean and ready for action. Set them aside for now.

Next, take a medium saucepan and combine the sugar, orange juice, and water. Place it over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. This will dissolve the sugar and start forming the base of your sauce.

Once you’ve got a nice boil going, add in the cranberries, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together. Lower the heat to medium and let it simmer. You’ll notice the cranberries start to burst, releasing their juices and thickening the sauce. This should take about 10-15 minutes.

When the sauce reaches a thickness you like, take it off the heat. Let it cool down to room temperature. If you prefer a smoother sauce, now’s the time to mash it gently with the back of a spoon. Transfer the sauce to a serving dish or store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy it.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy prep with only a handful of ingredients.
  • Strikes a perfect balance between tangy and sweet.
  • Adds a pop of color and flavor to any dish.
  • Can be made ahead and stored, freeing up time on busy days.

Ingredients

12 oz fresh cranberries
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
Pinch of salt

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Rinse the cranberries thoroughly under cold water.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, orange juice, and water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the cranberries, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt to the saucepan.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature before serving. For a smoother consistency, mash the cranberries with the back of a spoon.
6. Transfer to a serving dish or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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