Zesty Cranberry Sauce Recipe: Holiday Table’s Bright Star

Crafting a delightful cranberry sauce can revolutionize your holiday table with unexpected bursts of flavor.

Seasonal berries bring magical crimson brilliance to any festive meal.

Tart and sweet notes dance together in this simple preparation.

Family gatherings become more special when homemade condiments grace the spread.

Traditional recipes often lack the personal touch that makes cooking memorable.

Kitchen experiments can yield surprising and delicious results with just a few ingredients.

You’ll want to savor every spoonful of this vibrant, tangy creation.

What Makes Delia Smith Cranberry Sauce a Favorite

• Simplify Festive Cooking: Craft a classic holiday condiment with minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, perfect for both novice and experienced cooks.
• Quick Flavor Transformation: Transform plain cranberries into a vibrant, tangy sauce that elevates traditional holiday meals with just a few simple steps.
• Versatile Side Dish: Serve alongside turkey, spread on sandwiches, or use as a delightful topping for desserts, making this recipe a multi-purpose kitchen staple.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this sauce in advance, storing it in the refrigerator, which reduces stress during busy meal preparations and allows flavors to develop.

What You Need for Delia Smith Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberries: Fresh berries that provide the primary flavor and texture of the sauce.
• Sugar: Sweetens the sauce and helps create a thick, glossy consistency.
• Orange Juice: Adds brightness and depth of citrus flavor to the cranberry sauce.

• Water: Helps to create the right cooking consistency and prevent burning.

• Orange Zest, Cinnamon Stick: Provides additional warmth and aromatic complexity to the sauce.

Directions for Cooking Cranberry Sauce by Delia

Step 1: Warm Up the Pan

Place a medium saucepan on the stovetop and pour in fresh orange juice. Sprinkle sugar into the liquid, creating a sweet base for your cranberry sauce.

Step 2: Create a Bubbling Mixture

Turn the heat to medium-high and stir the orange juice and sugar constantly. Watch as the mixture starts to bubble and the sugar completely dissolves, creating a smooth syrup.

Step 3: Add Cranberry Magic

Gently drop the vibrant cranberries into the bubbling liquid. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let the cranberries dance in the pan. As they warm up, they’ll begin to pop and burst, releasing their deep ruby color and tart flavor.

Step 4: Capture the Perfect Consistency

After about 10 minutes, the cranberries will have softened and created a beautiful sauce. Remove the pan from the heat, letting the sauce begin to cool and naturally thicken.

Step 5: Cool and Chill

Transfer the cranberry sauce to a serving bowl. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature. The sauce will continue to thicken as it rests. Once cooled, place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill and develop even more flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

When you’re ready to serve, give the sauce a gentle stir. The chilled cranberry sauce will have a gorgeous, glossy texture perfect for accompanying your favorite holiday dishes.

Tips for Great Results With Cranberry Sauce

• Boost Flavor Depth: Grate orange zest into the mixture for an extra citrusy punch that elevates the sauce's complexity.
• Control Sweetness Levels: Adjust sugar quantity based on personal preference or use alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for different flavor profiles.
• Prevent Burning: Stir occasionally during simmering to ensure even cooking and prevent cranberries from sticking to the pan bottom.
• Texture Transformation: Gently mash some cranberries with a fork for a chunkier sauce or leave whole for a more rustic presentation.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce up to a week in advance, storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to save time during holiday meal preparation.

Switch It Up: Cranberry Sauce Ideas

• Maple Cranberry Fusion: Swap sugar with pure maple syrup for a rich, earthy sweetness and deeper flavor profile.
• Spiced Cranberry Blend: Add cinnamon stick, star anise, and ground cloves during simmering for warm, aromatic notes.
• Boozy Berry Version: Replace orange juice with red wine or bourbon for an adult-friendly cranberry sauce with complex undertones.
• Honey Citrus Alternative: Use honey instead of sugar and add lemon zest for a bright, natural sweetness and tangy finish.

Pairings That Work With Cranberry Sauce

• Pair Perfectly with Roasted Turkey: This classic cranberry sauce brings tangy brightness that cuts through the richness of roasted turkey, creating a harmonious balance on your holiday plate.
• Complement with Creamy Brie Cheese: Spread the cranberry sauce over a soft brie wheel for an elegant appetizer that marries sweet-tart flavors with creamy textures.
• Match with Sparkling Pinot Noir: The light-bodied red wine's fruity notes enhance the cranberry's natural tartness, making for a delightful beverage pairing that elevates the entire dining experience.
• Serve alongside Roasted Pork Tenderloin: The sauce's vibrant flavor profile cuts through the meat's richness, adding a zesty kick that transforms a simple protein into a memorable meal.

Storing Leftover Cranberry Sauce the Smart Way

• Store homemade cranberry sauce in a sealed glass or plastic container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Press plastic wrap directly onto the sauce surface to prevent air exposure.
• Transfer cooled sauce to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Properly stored, cranberry sauce can freeze beautifully for 2-3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to restore smooth consistency. Add a splash of water or orange juice if sauce seems too thick.

FAQs About Delia Smith Cranberry Sauce

• Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Yes, frozen cranberries work perfectly. Just add them directly to the saucepan without thawing, and they’ll cook the same way as fresh ones.

• How long can I store homemade cranberry sauce?

Homemade cranberry sauce stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 10 days when stored in an airtight container.

• Is it possible to make this sauce less sweet?

Absolutely. Reduce the sugar amount or use a sugar substitute like honey or maple syrup to adjust the sweetness to your preference.

• Can I add other spices to enhance the flavor?

Definitely. Cinnamon sticks, orange zest, or a pinch of ginger can add wonderful depth and complexity to your cranberry sauce.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade cranberry sauce brings festive cheer to holiday tables with its perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Families will savor this simple, classic recipe that elevates seasonal gatherings with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) cranberries
• 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) orange juice

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Instructions

1. Pour orange juice and sugar into a medium saucepan, heating over medium-high temperature.
2. Stir mixture constantly until sugar completely dissolves and liquid reaches a rolling boil.
3. Add fresh cranberries to the bubbling liquid, reducing heat to create a gentle simmer.
4. Cook cranberries for approximately 10 minutes, gently stirring occasionally until berries begin to pop and break down.
5. Remove saucepan from heat, allowing the sauce to naturally thicken and develop a rich, glossy texture.
6. Transfer cranberry mixture to a clean serving bowl, letting it cool completely at room temperature.
7. Once cooled, the sauce will transform into a jellied consistency with whole berry chunks.
8. Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour before serving to enhance flavor and maintain optimal texture.
9. Optional: Stir sauce gently before presenting to redistribute any settled ingredients and ensure uniform consistency.

Notes

• Swap white sugar with honey or maple syrup for a more natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Fresh cranberries provide the best texture and brightness, but frozen work well in a pinch – just add an extra minute of cooking time.
• Zest some orange peel into the sauce for an extra citrusy punch that enhances the cranberry’s tartness.
• For a sophisticated twist, add a splash of Grand Marnier or cinnamon stick during simmering to create complex, warm undertones.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 147 kcal
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 0.2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg