Fresh cranberries are the perfectly tart, yet sweet, component to autumnal and wintry meals. I’m the Cranberry Bog Witch of the holiday season, gleefully conjuring up baked goods, savory dishes and cranberry sauce. If you’re used to the canned or jarred options, you’d be shocked at the flavor (and health) benefits to homemade cranberry sauce. This simple sauce packs a punch alongside a festive dish or cheese platter and there are plenty of ways to tweak it to your taste.
SO BERRY SAUCY
Prep:
5-8 min
Cook:
20 min
Total:
30 min
Makes 12 servings, about 2.5 tbsp each.
INGREDIENTS:
- 12 oz (standard bag) fresh cranberries (~340 g)
- Fresh ginger, grated for 1 tsp paste
- Fresh lemon or orange, grated for 1 tbsp zest
- 1 cup (~236 ml) water*
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar**
- a pinch of salt (no more than ¼ tsp)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup, agave, or honey
*For added sweetness, you can replace ½ cup of water with ½ cup of orange juice, apple juice or cider. If using an orange for zest and freshly squeezed juice, make sure that you’re only adding juice and not the bitter pithy sections.
[OPTIONAL]
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 whole star anise
**There are quite a few options if you wish to reduce sugar content. A batch substituting sugar with a combination of erythritol and monk fruit worked just fine. You could also go 50/50 between sugar and erythritol/monk fruit. Sugar alcohols may be irritating if you have GI issues, so I recommend initially mixing them with sugar if you aren’t familiar with them. Liquid sweeteners will make it taste too artificial, with a bitter aftertaste.**
STEP BY STEP:
Enjoy with a holiday meal or spread on sandwiches. This cranberry sauce tastes great mixed with some mayo and incorporated into a wrap. We also enjoy it spread onto cheese, especially over melted raclette or brie and toasted baguette. You could also stir it into some cheesecake bars or yogurt!
NUTRITION FACTS
Number of Servings: 5
Fiber: 3.5 g
Carbs: 39.2 g
Calories per Serving: 78.26 kcal
Sugar: 17.23 g
Protein: 0.24 g
Weight per Serving: 38 g
Fats: 0.02 g
Iron: 0.09 mg
All servings and nutritional measurements are approximate. These estimates are intended for information and guidance purposes only. Please consult a licensed nutrition or medical professional if you need assistance.
Gluten-Free and Vegan Disclaimer: All of the ingredients listed in this recipe are available in gluten-free and vegan versions. Please do your research and verify ingredient lists, as many products can have surprisingly hidden amounts of gluten that can impact those with Celiac Disease and gluten allergies. Likewise, vegans may need to verify if products contain hidden amounts of whey or animal derived ingredients. Honey is listed as a sugar option but it is not vegan.
