Cranberry sauce is a popular condiment in many parts of the world, particularly during festive seasons. But what exactly is it? Let's take a brief look at the history of cranberry sauce to find out.
Jump to:
What is Cranberry Sauce?
Cranberry sauce is made from the fruit of the cranberry bush. The cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) is native to North America and was used by Native Americans for centuries as food and medicine. The early settlers of North America also made use of the fruit, and cranberry sauce became a popular dish in the United States and Canada.
Cranberry sauce was originally made with whole berries, sugar, and water. This simple recipe is still used today, but many variations exist. Some recipes call for the addition of orange or lemon juice, spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg, or even other fruits such as apples or pears.
Is Cranberry Sauce Good For You?
Cranberry sauce is a holiday staple, but is it really good for you? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of this popular dish.
3 Reasons Why The Sauce Is Good For You:
- Cranberries are packed with antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage.
- It can be a good source of Vitamin C.
- It can help you get more fiber in your diet.
3 Reasons Why The Sauce Might Not Be the Best For You:
- Store-bought cranberry sauce is high in sugar.
- Store-bought cranberry sauce is often made with artificial ingredients.
- If you're watching your calorie intake, cranberry sauce can add a lot of extra calories to your meal.
So, is it good for you? It depends! If you're looking for a healthy option, it's probably best to skip the store-bought versions and make your own at home with fresh or frozen cranberries and natural ingredients. However, if you're not concerned about adding a few extra calories to your holiday feast, then go ahead and enjoy the sauce in moderation!
Cranberry Sauce Ingredients and How They Work Together
Cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving tradition in many households. It is also a dish that is simple to make, requiring only a few ingredients that work together to create a delicious, tart, and sweet sauce. Here is a list of cranberry sauce ingredients and the role each ingredient plays in this recipe.
- Cranberries: The star ingredient in cranberry sauce, fresh or frozen cranberries are tart little berries that pack a punch of flavor. When cooked, cranberries pop and release their juice, which helps to thicken the sauce.
- Sugar: Sugar is added to offset the tartness of the cranberries and create a balance of flavors. The sugar also helps to thicken the sauce as it cooks down.
- Water: Water is used as the cooking liquid for the cranberries. It helps to soften the berries and allows them to release their juices.
- Some variations include the use of orange juice: Orange juice can be used in place of water for cooking the cranberries. It will add additional sweetness and flavor to the sauce.
- Use of spices: Other variations include the use of winter spices such as cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and cloves.
How To Make Cranberry Sauce With Fresh Cranberries
This Thanksgiving, skip the canned cranberry sauce and make your own! It's easier than you think, and the result is a brighter, fresher-tasting sauce that can boost your Holiday meal. Here's how to do it:
- Start by rinsing fresh or frozen cranberries and picking out any stems or leaves.
- Add the cranberries to a saucepan along with some water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Next, add sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Lower the heat to low and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Transfer to a serving dish!
And there you have it—homemade best cranberry sauce that's ready in under 30 minutes! This dish is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and it's sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving holiday table this year.
What To Do With Leftover Cranberry Sauce?
'Tis the season for cranberry sauce! Whether you make your own or buy it from the store, there's always cranberry sauce left over after holiday meals. If you find yourself with extra cranberry sauce this year, don't just let it sit in the fridge taking up space. Put that sauce to good use with one of these five recipes.
- Cranberry Sauce Muffins - Start your day with a little sweetness by adding cranberry sauce to your morning muffin recipes. Blueberry muffins are delicious on their own, but they're even better with a dollop of tart cranberry sauce added to the batter before baking. Or, for a festive twist on classic banana bread, mix in some leftover cranberry sauce to your favorite recipe. The addition of cranberries will take your banana bread to the next level.
- Cranberry Barbecue Sauce - Give your weeknight chicken dinner a holiday makeover by basting it with homemade cranberry barbecue sauce. Brush it on chicken breasts or thighs before grilling or baking. Yum!
- Cranberry Vinaigrette - jazz up your salad with a homemade cranberry vinaigrette using leftover cranberry sauce as the base. To make the dressing, simply combine ¼ cup of cranberry sauce with ¼ cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of honey, and salt and pepper to taste in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. This dressing is great on any type of salad, but it pairs especially well with winter greens like kale or Brussels sprouts.
- Cranberry Cocktail - put that bottle of sparkling wine that's been sitting in your fridge for who knows how long to good use and whip up some festive cocktails! For a simple yet tasty drink, mix together equal parts prosecco or champagne and cranberry sauce. Or get creative and mix together gin, lemon juice, cranberry sauce, and simple syrup for a delicious holiday twist on a classic gin fizz, "Shaken, not stirred".
- Cranberry Ice Cream Topping - take your dessert game up a notch by using leftover cranberry sauce as an ice cream topping. It's perfect for sprucing up plain vanilla ice cream or complementing chocolate or coffee-flavored varieties. Simply top each scoop with a dollop of sauce and enjoy!
People Also Ask [FAQs]
Yes, homemade cranberry sauce can be frozen for up to a month in an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag.
Homemade cranberry sauce can last 10 to 14 days in the refrigerator and up to one month in the freezer when stored correctly.
Cranberry sauce can usually be found in the holiday aisle, produce area, baking aisle, or at displays in the front of the store.
Wrap Up: Cranberry Sauce
- Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, food. And while there are many classic Thanksgiving dishes that everyone loves, one dish that often polarizes opinion is cranberry sauce.
- It is a popular condiment that has been enjoyed by people all over the world for centuries. Its tart flavor and versatility make it a perfect accompaniment to many different dishes.
- Is it good for you? Should you make your own or buy it from the store? In this article, we looked at both the pros and cons of cranberry sauce so that you can make an informed decision about whether to include it in your holiday feast this year.
- We also provide a simple recipe for making cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries so that you can have control over what goes into your dish.
- This is a simple dish that only requires a few ingredients to make. When these ingredients are combined, they create a delicious, tart, and sweet sauce that is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Give this easy cranberry sauce recipe a try this holiday season and let us know how it turns out in the comments below! So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
🍽️ Recipe
Cranberry Sauce Recipe With Fresh Cranberries
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup white sugar or brown sugar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Start by rinsing 12 ounces of fresh cranberries and picking out any stems or leaves.
- Add the cranberries to a saucepan along with ½ cup of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Next, add ½ cup of sugar and stir until dissolved. Lower the heat to low and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy!
Notes
- Adding orange juice to the cranberry sauce recipe adds a delicious citrus flavor. If you want to try this variation, replace the ½ cup of water with ½ cup of fresh orange juice and garnish the sauce with some orange zest.
Leave a Comment