Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe 2023

The homemade Cranberry sauce Recipe is a classic condiment that is often served with Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in the United States and Canada. It is made by cooking cranberries with sugar and other ingredients such as orange juice, spices, and sometimes fruits. The result is a sweet and tangy sauce that is a perfect complement to the rich and savory flavors of turkey, ham, and other roasted meats.

Cranberries are native to North America and have been used by indigenous peoples for centuries as food and medicine. They were also a staple in early American cuisine and were often used to make sauces and preserves. The cranberry sauce that we know today, however, was not widely consumed until the late 19th century, when it became popular as a Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition.

Making cranberry sauce is a simple process that involves cooking cranberries with sugar and other ingredients until they burst and the sauce thickens. The flavor of the sauce can be adjusted by adding more sugar or other ingredients like orange juice, spices, or fruits. Some common variations include adding ginger, cinnamon, or cloves for a warm and spicy flavor, or adding orange zest or apple for a sweeter and more complex flavor.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe can be served chilled or at room temperature and can be made ahead of time for convenience. It can also be used in other dishes like as a spread, in sandwiches, or as a glaze for meats. It can also be used to make desserts and jams. Cranberry sauce is also a great source of antioxidants and vitamin C, making it not just a delicious addition to your meal but also healthy. Cranberry sauce can be enjoyed with a variety of foods and is a versatile condiment that can be used in many different ways to add flavor and color to your meals.

Ingredients:

1 cup cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup diced apple
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1-star anise
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions for Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe:

• Rinse and sort through the cranberries, discarding any that are spoiled or overly soft.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, water, milk, diced apple, cloves, star anise, cardamom powder, and cinnamon.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar is dissolved.
• Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. You can use a wooden spoon to mash the cranberries and help them burst.
• Remove from heat and let it cool for a bit. Remove the star anise before serving.
• Optional: add a splash of maple syrup or honey to taste or to adjust the sweetness level.
• Let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Cranberry sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature. You can also reheat it gently before serving if desired.
  Enjoy your delicious and homemade cranberry sauce recipe, it can be paired with different meat dishes like turkey, chicken, and ham. It can also be served as a spread for sandwiches or as a glaze for meats. Cranberry sauce is a versatile condiment that can be used in many different ways to add flavor and color to your meals.

Key Points:

When making a Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe, there are a few key points to keep in mind:

1. Use fresh cranberries: Make sure to use fresh cranberries and discard any that are spoiled or overly soft. This will ensure that your sauce has a good texture and a bright, tart flavor.
2. Adjust the sweetness: The amount of sugar you use will depend on your personal taste preference. You can start with the suggested amount in the recipe and adjust it to taste.
3. Cook until thickened: Cook the cranberries over low heat until they burst and the sauce thickens. This should take around 10-15 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to mash the cranberries and help them burst.
4. Add a flavor: You can add a variety of flavors to your cranberry sauce, such as orange juice, lemon juice, apple, cloves, star anise, cardamom powder, cinnamon, and milk.
5. Let it cool: Once the sauce is done, let it cool for a bit before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cranberry sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
6. Serve chilled or at room temperature: You can serve cranberry sauce chilled or at room temperature. You can also reheat it gently before serving if desired.
7. Versatility: Cranberry sauce is a versatile condiment that can be used in many different ways to add flavor and color to your meals, you can serve it with meat dishes like turkey, chicken, and ham, or use it as a spread for sandwiches or as a glaze for meats.

Nutrition Information:

The nutrition information for Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe will vary depending on the recipe and specific ingredients used. In general, cranberry sauce is relatively low in calories and contains small amounts of various vitamins and minerals.

Here’s an estimate of the nutrition information for a 1/4 cup serving of cranberry sauce made with the ingredients listed in my previous answer:

Calories: 70
Fat: 0.5g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 14g
Protein: 0.5g

It also contains small amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Iron, Calcium, and Magnesium.

Keep in mind that the nutritional values will change if the recipe or the ingredients were different, also homemade cranberry sauce tends to be lower in sugar and calories compared to store-bought one.

Frequently Asked Questions for Cranberry Sauce Recipe:

1. Can I use frozen cranberries to make a Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries to make cranberry sauce. Just make sure they are thawed before using them.

2. Can I make cranberry sauce in advance?
Yes, cranberry sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

3. Can I freeze the Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe?
Yes, cranberry sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just make sure it is stored in an airtight container.

4. Can I use other types of sugar to make cranberry sauce?
Yes, you can use other types of sugar such as brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup.

5. Can I add other fruits to the cranberry sauce?
Yes, you can add other fruits such as apples, oranges, or pears to add flavor and texture to the cranberry sauce.

6. Can I add spices to cranberry sauce?
Yes, you can add spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or nutmeg to add depth of flavor to the cranberry sauce.

7. Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce for a recipe?
Yes, store-bought cranberry sauce can be used in recipes, but keep in mind that it may have a different texture and flavor than homemade cranberry sauce.

8. How long does it take to make cranberry sauce?
It takes about 15-20 minutes to make cranberry sauce.

9. Can I use juice instead of water in the recipe?
Yes, you can use juice such as orange or apple juice instead of water to add extra flavor to the cranberry sauce.

10. Can I use cranberry sauce in baking?
Yes, cranberry sauce can be used in baking such as in cakes, pies, and muffins to add flavor and moisture.