Currant Raisin Sauce For Ham
A sweet and tangy sauce with currants and raisins, perfect for glazing ham and adding depth of flavor to festive meals.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Beat together 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water.
- Add remaining ingredients: seedless raisins, butter, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, currant jelly, salt, pepper, and red food coloring.
- Heat the mixture to boiling.
- Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the sauce. If you don't have currant jelly, you can substitute with grape jelly or apricot preserves for a slightly different taste. Be sure to soak the raisins in warm water for a few minutes before adding them to the sauce to ensure they plump up nicely.
Serving Suggestions
This sauce pairs beautifully with ham, making it a perfect addition to your holiday table. It can also complement roasted chicken or turkey. Serve it alongside sides like mashed potatoes or green beans for a balanced meal. For a delightful breakfast twist, try it over Main Stay French Toast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover currant raisin sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Currant Raisin Sauce For Ham contains roughly 659 calories, with 2g protein, 31g carbohydrates, and 60g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (13% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 511mg per serving (22% of the Daily Value).
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, you can prepare the currant raisin sauce a day in advance. Just cool it completely before storing it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving to bring back its warm flavors.
What can I use instead of Worcestershire sauce?
If you don't have Worcestershire sauce on hand, you can use soy sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and a splash of vinegar as a substitute. This will add a similar umami flavor to the sauce.
Is this sauce suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the currant raisin sauce is vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat products. Just ensure that the Worcestershire sauce you use is vegetarian, as some brands contain anchovies.
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).