Spicy Cherry Sauce
A vibrant, spicy cherry sauce with warm cinnamon and cloves, perfect for enhancing ham or pork dishes with a sweet and tangy flavor profile.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine half of the sugar, the cornstarch, and a dash of salt; stir in orange juice and lemon juice.
- Stir in undrained cherries, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
- Stir in the remaining sugar.
- Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Serve warm with ham or pork.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker sauce, add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a little water before cooking. You can substitute fresh cherries for canned if they're in season; just adjust the sugar based on their sweetness. If you prefer a different flavor, consider using lime juice instead of lemon. This sauce also goes well as a topping for desserts like ice cream or pancakes.
Serving Suggestions
This Spicy Cherry Sauce is delicious served warm alongside ham or pork, but it also pairs beautifully with roasted chicken. For a complete meal, serve it with sides like mashed potatoes or a fresh green salad. Consider using it as a topping for cream cheese on crackers for an easy appetizer.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, simply warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it thickens too much, you can add a splash of water or juice to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spicy Cherry Sauce contains roughly 477 calories, with 1g protein, 115g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (16% of the Daily Value) and iron (10% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 5g 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 use frozen cherries instead of canned?
Yes, you can use frozen cherries! Just thaw them beforehand, and include the juices when cooking. You may need to adjust the sugar depending on their sweetness.
How do I make this sauce less spicy?
To reduce the spiciness, simply omit the ground cloves from the recipe, as they contribute to the heat. You can also add a little more sugar to balance the flavors.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it gently before serving to enjoy its full 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).