Cranberry Juice Sauce
A tangy, sweet cranberry sauce with raisins and warm spices, perfect for serving with ham or pork, adding festive flavor to your holiday table.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine sugar, cornstarch, and allspice in a small saucepan.
- Stir in cranberry juice and lemon juice.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Stir in raisins.
- Serve sauce hot with ham or pork.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using dark brown sugar instead of light. If you prefer a thicker sauce, increase the cornstarch slightly and ensure it's fully dissolved in the liquids before cooking. Golden raisins add sweetness, but you can substitute with regular raisins or chopped dried apricots if desired. This sauce can also be used as a glaze for roasted meats, enhancing dishes like the Pork Chop Marinade.
Serving Suggestions
This cranberry juice sauce is perfect served hot over glazed ham or pork. It also pairs well with roasted chicken and can add a festive touch to holiday meals. Consider serving it alongside sides like Waldorf Salad or mashed potatoes for a balanced plate. For a unique treat, drizzle it over vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover cranberry juice sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to maintain its consistency. If it thickens too much, add a splash of water or cranberry juice to loosen it up before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cranberry Juice Sauce contains roughly 303 calories, with 4g protein, 80g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (36% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and potassium. It also contributes 9g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, this sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just reheat it gently before serving. Making it ahead of time can save you effort during meal prep, especially for busy holidays or gatherings.
Can I substitute the cranberry juice?
Absolutely! You can use pomegranate juice or a mix of apple and cranberry juice for a different flavor profile. Just be cautious with the sweetness, as some juices might require adjusting the sugar in the recipe.
Is this sauce suitable for vegan diets?
Yes, this recipe is vegan-friendly as it contains no animal products. Just double-check that the sugar you use is vegan, as some sugars can be processed with bone char. Enjoy this sauce with your favorite vegan dishes for added flavor!
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).