Spiced Cranberry Sauce
A vibrant, tangy cranberry sauce infused with warm spices, perfect as a festive side or topping for holiday meals and desserts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash and pick over the cranberries.
- Combine cranberries, sugar, water, salt, ground cloves, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and ground cardamom in a large, heavy saucepan.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook until cranberry skins begin to pop, about 5 minutes.
- Mix the cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce to thicken.
- Cool the sauce and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely grated orange zest to the mix. If you're short on sugar, you can substitute half of it with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile. Make sure to stir the sauce regularly while cooking to prevent sticking, especially if you’re using a heavier bottomed pan.
Serving Suggestions
This spiced cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with roasted meats like turkey or pork. It also complements savory dishes such as Holiday Yams And Marshmallows. To elevate your serving, consider garnishing with chopped nuts or fresh herbs for added texture and flavor. Serve it alongside your favorite bread or as a topping for desserts like vanilla ice cream.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover spiced cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to freeze it, portion it into freezer-safe bags, removing as much air as possible. To reheat, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and warm gently on the stove, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spiced Cranberry Sauce contains roughly 470 calories, with 4g protein, 122g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (72% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (46% of the Daily Value), and iron (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1551mg per serving (67% 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 use frozen cranberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries, but make sure to thaw them first and drain any excess liquid. The cooking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on them as they cook down.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?
You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar according to your taste. If the sauce becomes too sweet, a splash of lemon juice can help balance it out without compromising the flavor.
Is there a vegan alternative for cornstarch?
Yes, if you prefer a vegan alternative, you can use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch in place of cornstarch. Both will help thicken the sauce effectively while keeping it plant-based.
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).