Star Anise Cranberry Sauce
Elevate your holiday table with the vibrant and aromatic flavors of Star Anise Cranberry Sauce! This easy, 20-minute recipe combines tart fresh cranberries with the warm, licorice-like essence of star anise, a hint of cinnamon, and the zesty brightness of orange juice and zest. Sweetened to perfection with granulated sugar, this sauce strikes a perfect balance of tangy and sweet, with a delightful depth of flavor. As the cranberries burst and thicken, the gentle simmering infuses the sauce with cozy spices, making it an irresistible accompaniment to turkey, ham, or holiday charcuterie boards. Make it ahead of time for stress-free entertaining—its flavor only deepens with refrigeration. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you need a touch of festive flavor, this Star Anise Cranberry Sauce will leave your guests raving.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Fresh cranberries
- 0.75 cup Granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup Orange juice
- 0.25 cup Water
- 2 Star anise pods
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest (freshly grated)
- 0.125 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly under cold water and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, orange juice, and water. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the cranberries, star anise pods, ground cinnamon, orange zest, and salt to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Stir occasionally while the cranberries start to burst, about 10 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Discard the star anise pods.
Transfer the cranberry sauce to a serving bowl or container and let it cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy your Star Anise Cranberry Sauce with turkey, ham, or as a spread!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
138 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.2 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 43 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.7 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.2 g | ||
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 12 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 98 mg | 2% | |
*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.
