Cranberry Sauce Extraordinaire
Elevate your holiday table with this Cranberry Sauce Extraordinaire, a vibrant and deeply flavorful twist on the classic Thanksgiving staple. This homemade cranberry sauce combines fresh, tart cranberries with the sweetness of orange juice, brown sugar, and granulated sugar, creating a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, plus the bright zest of orange, each spoonful bursts with festive flair. Optional additions of raisins and chopped pecans add delightful texture and richness, making this sauce a versatile side dish or condiment. With only 5 minutes of prep time and a satisfying 20-minute simmer, this recipe is as easy as it is impressive. Serve chilled or at room temperature to complement savory turkey, buttery stuffing, or even creamy brie. It's the ultimate holiday recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 0.5 cup orange juice
- 0.5 cup water
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 1 whole zest of orange
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.25 cup raisins (optional)
- 0.25 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water and discard any that are soft or damaged.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the orange juice, water, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Stir until the sugars dissolve completely.
Add the cranberries to the saucepan along with the orange zest, cinnamon stick, grated ginger, and ground nutmeg. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll notice the cranberries will start to burst and the sauce will thicken.
If using, stir in the raisins and chopped pecans during the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra texture and flavor.
Add a pinch of salt and taste the sauce. Adjust sweetness or spices as needed.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
Transfer the cranberry sauce to a serving dish or an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside your favorite holiday dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1266 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.4 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.0 g | 10% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 173 mg | 8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 281.6 g | 102% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.4 g | 69% | |
| Total Sugars | 236.5 g | ||
| Protein | 6.9 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 159 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 3.0 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 1013 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
