Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce - Recipe Card
The sauce's pleasant brightness comes from natural ingredients like orange zest and lemon juice. This makes it perfect for your holiday meals. Additionally, it complements a variety of dishes, such as cooked turkey or Christmas ham, making it a favorite among your entire family.
Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries: 12 oz 1 bag of fresh cranberries. Fresh cranberries are the base of this sauce, providing a tartness and depth of flavor that canned versions can’t match.
- Sugar: 1 cup or substitute with maple syrup, honey, or a sugar-free sweetener if preferred. This will help balance the tartness of the cranberries and create the sweet-tart flavor that makes cranberry sauce so popular.
- Water: 1 cup. Water helps dissolve the sugar and forms the syrupy consistency that binds the sauce together.
- Orange Zest: 1 tablespoon from about 1 medium orange. A touch of orange zest will brighten the sauce and complement the tartness of the cranberries.
- Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a tangy kick and helps balance the sweetness of the sugar, making the flavor more complex.
Instructions
- Start by washing your fresh cranberries under cold water, discarding any that are soft or damaged. Place a medium saucepan on the stove and add the cranberries, water, lemon juice, and sugar (or maple syrup if you prefer). Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cook the Cranberries: Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a simmer. As the cranberries start to pop, the sauce will thicken. Stir occasionally and cook for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries have broken down and the sauce reaches your desired consistency. If you like a chunkier sauce, leave it as is; for a smoother texture, mash the cranberries with a spoon or blend it.
- Enhance with Flavor: If you’re looking to add extra flavor, consider adding orange zest or a cinnamon stick during the last 5 minutes of cooking. This will give your cranberry sauce a deeper, spiced flavor perfect for the holidays.
- Once the sauce is ready, remove from heat and let it cool before serving. If you’re making it ahead of time, simply refrigerate the sauce until you’re ready to serve.
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Notes
Storage and Freezing
After you’ve finished making your cranberry sauce, it’s crucial to store it properly to maintain its freshness. Once the sauce is cool, put it in a jar that won’t let air in. You can keep it in the fridge for up to a week. Make cranberry sauce ahead for holiday meals—it freezes well. In a freezer-safe jar, it can last three months. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before you serve it.Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking: Cranberries cook quickly, so keep an eye on your sauce. If it’s overcooked, the sauce can become too thick or even burn.
- Not Adjusting the Sweetness: Depending on the tartness of your cranberries, you may need to adjust the sugar. Always take a taste and make the sweetness just right.
- Forgetting the Orange Zest: The orange zest is key to this recipe. It adds a citrusy brightness that elevates the entire flavor of the cranberry sauce. Don’t skip it!
Creative Variations
- Maple Syrup: For a richer, deeper flavor, swap the sugar for maple syrup.
- Spices: Add a touch of cinnamon or cloves for a cozy, holiday-inspired twist.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 85 kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
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