Holiday Cranberry Apricot Sauce
A vibrant, tangy cranberry and apricot sauce with orange juice, perfect for holiday gatherings and pairs beautifully with pork or poultry dishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a double boiler; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until all sugar dissolves.
- Reduce heat; simmer about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Continue cooking until thick.
- If mixture still seems too thin, add 1/4 teaspoon of cornstarch, mixed in a little cold water to thicken.
- Serve with pork or poultry.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or allspice to the sauce. If you want a lower sugar option, you can substitute half the sugar with honey or maple syrup. Dried apricots can be replaced with other dried fruits like figs or raisins for a unique twist. Always taste and adjust sweetness before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This holiday cranberry apricot sauce pairs beautifully with pork or poultry dishes. It can also be served as a vibrant topping for cream cheese on a festive cheese platter. For a complete meal, serve alongside roasted vegetables and a side of Sister Erma Lee'S Cucumber Lime Pickles for a refreshing contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cranberry apricot sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. If it thickens too much, add a splash of water or orange juice to achieve your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday Cranberry Apricot Sauce contains roughly 396 calories, with 3g protein, 103g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (75% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of 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
How can I make this sauce ahead of time?
You can prepare the cranberry apricot sauce up to a week in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator, and it will develop even more flavor as it sits. Reheat gently before serving to bring it back to the right consistency.
Is there a way to make this sauce less tart?
To reduce the tartness, you can increase the sugar slightly or add a bit of honey or maple syrup. Additionally, using sweeter dried apricots can help balance the flavors. Taste as you go to achieve your preferred sweetness.
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).