The Festive Debate: Cranberry Sauce, A Christmas Classic Or Controversial Concoction?

Cranberry sauce is a popular dish at Christmas and Thanksgiving. It is often served alongside turkey, and it can be made with fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and even wine or port. The sauce is usually chilled and can be made up to a week in advance. It can also be frozen for up to a month. While some people prefer to make their cranberry sauce from scratch, others opt for the convenience of canned cranberry sauce. Canned cranberry sauce can be served straight from the can, or sliced and decorated with rosemary or fresh cranberries.

Cranberry sauce is an essential part of Christmas dinner

Cranberry sauce is a simple dish to make at home. All you need are fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and perhaps some wine or port. Gently simmer the wine, juice, and sugar in a pan on the stove, bring to a boil, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then, stir in the cranberries and simmer until they are tender but still holding their shape. This will take about 15 to 20 minutes, and the sauce will thicken as it cools. You can also make cranberry sauce in a slow cooker or instant pot.

There are plenty of inventive cranberry sauce options available to buy at the supermarket, but if you prefer homemade cranberry sauce, it's easy to make and you'll be rewarded with a delicious taste.

Cranberry sauce is also a great addition to a Christmas dinner as it can be made ahead of time. In fact, it's best served chilled, so it needs to be made at least one day in advance. You can also make it up to three days ahead, as the flavor gets even better after a couple of days. And if you want to make it even further ahead, you can freeze cranberry sauce in a sealed container for up to one month.

Cranberry sauce is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. You can serve it straight out of the can, sliced, or use cookie cutters to cut it into fun shapes. You can also get creative with the ingredients and add mix-ins like pecans, orange zest, raisins, or spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice.

So, if you're looking for a delicious and easy addition to your Christmas dinner, look no further than cranberry sauce. It's the perfect combination of sweet and tart and will add a gorgeous pop of color and flavor to your meal.

It's easy to make and can be made in advance

Cranberry sauce is one of the easiest things to make for Christmas dinner and packs one of the biggest punches. Sharp and citrusy, cranberries cut through any rich and fatty meats.

A simple cranberry sauce recipe requires just cranberries, sugar, and water. However, you can also add orange juice, orange zest, or cinnamon to give it a little extra depth of flavour.

To make cranberry sauce, combine your sweetener of choice with water on the stovetop and bring it to a simmer. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Then, add the cranberries and let them come to a low boil, then cook, uncovered, until the sauce thickens. Remember to stir occasionally. Finally, stir in additional sweetener to taste, then leave the cranberry sauce to cool.

Cranberry sauce is a fantastic make-ahead side dish. In fact, it is served chilled, so you will need to make it at least one day in advance. The flavour is even better after two or three days, so it is recommended to make this recipe at the beginning of the week.

Cranberry sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days or frozen for up to a year.

It can be served straight from the can or sliced

Cranberry sauce is a staple at Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. It is delicious on turkey, in leftover turkey sandwiches, or even on a baked sweet potato. While making homemade cranberry sauce is always a good option, sometimes serving canned cranberry sauce is the way to go. Canned cranberry sauce can be served straight from the can or sliced.

If you want to serve canned cranberry sauce straight from the can, simply open the can and carefully pour the sauce onto a plate so that it stays in its log form. You can decorate the plate with a ring of rosemary stems or slices of fresh cranberries for a more festive look. Alternatively, you can poke holes in the bottom of the can to make it easier to pour out the sauce.

Another option is to slice the canned cranberry sauce. To do this, carefully remove the sauce from the can so that it stays intact, then slice it into rings or other desired shapes. You can use cookie cutters to create fun shapes like turkeys, acorns, stars, or hearts. Just be careful when transferring the sliced sauce to a serving platter, as it can be delicate. This is also a fun activity to do with kids, with adult supervision of course!

Whether you serve it straight from the can or sliced, canned cranberry sauce is a quick and easy option for your holiday meals. Don't forget to get creative with your presentation and garnishes to make it look festive and delicious!

It's delicious on turkey or in a sandwich

Cranberry sauce is a delicious condiment that can be served with turkey or in a sandwich. Here are some reasons why it's a great choice for your Christmas feast or any meal!

It's Delicious on Turkey

Cranberry sauce is the perfect complement to a juicy roast turkey. The sharp and citrusy sauce cuts through the richness of the meat, creating a well-rounded and flavourful bite. The tartness of the cranberries pairs beautifully with the savoury turkey, and the sauce can be made more or less sweet to suit your taste. Whether you prefer your cranberry sauce cooked with sugar and water or raw in a relish, it's a delightful addition to your holiday meal.

It's a Great Sandwich Filling

Leftover turkey sandwiches are a classic post-Christmas treat, and cranberry sauce takes them to the next level. The sauce adds a pop of colour and flavour to your sandwich, elevating it from a simple snack to a gourmet delight. It's also a great way to use up any leftover cranberry sauce—spread it on some bread with your leftover turkey, and you've got yourself a tasty meal. You can even get creative and mix the cranberry sauce with mayonnaise for an extra special spread.

It's Versatile

Cranberry sauce is incredibly versatile and can be made to suit your taste preferences. You can add a variety of mix-ins, such as pecans, orange zest, raisins, or even spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with different types of alcohol, like port or Cointreau, to give your sauce a boozy kick. And if you're short on time, don't worry—canned cranberry sauce is a perfectly tasty option too!

It's Easy to Make

Cranberry sauce is one of the easiest things to make for your Christmas dinner. All you need are a few simple ingredients: fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and maybe some wine or port. Simply simmer the ingredients on the stove, and you'll have a delicious sauce ready in about 15 to 20 minutes. It's a low-effort dish that will impress your guests and elevate your meal.

It's a Holiday Tradition

Cranberry sauce is a beloved tradition during the holidays, especially at Thanksgiving. It's one of the oldest traditions of the Thanksgiving meal, and Americans consume a significant amount of cranberries during the week of Thanksgiving. Adding cranberry sauce to your Christmas meal is a wonderful way to continue this tradition and bring a touch of festive cheer to your table.

You can add extras to canned cranberry sauce

Canned cranberry sauce is a convenient option for those who don't want to make their own cranberry sauce from scratch. While it is perfectly fine to serve as it is, there are several ways to elevate canned cranberry sauce and make it fancier. Here are some ideas to add extras to canned cranberry sauce:

Citrus Twist

Adding a citrus twist is a great way to brighten the flavours of canned cranberry sauce. You can add a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or a splash of orange juice. If using jellied cranberry sauce, you can slice or cube it and then layer or mix it with sliced kumquats or tangerines. For a stronger orange flavour, reduce the amount of water and add some orange juice.

Spices

Adding spices is a simple way to enhance the flavour of canned cranberry sauce. Try cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, or a combination of orange zest and thyme leaves. You can also add a pinch of fruity and mildly spicy dried peppers like Aleppo or Espelette.

Nuts

Folding in crushed or chopped nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts, adds texture and a crunchy element to the sauce. Toasting the nuts before adding them provides a delightful contrast of earthy flavours and slight bitterness to the sweetness of the cranberry sauce.

Alcohol

Adding a splash of alcohol, such as port, sherry, madeira, marsala, sweet vermouth, or even bourbon, can elevate your cranberry sauce. Remember to add the alcohol a little at a time until you achieve the desired flavour. If you are concerned about serving alcohol, you can warm the sauce over medium heat to burn off the alcohol.

Fruits

Incorporating other fruits, such as oranges, berries, apples, or stone fruits, brings different flavours and acidity to the sauce. Frozen or defrosted mixed berries add unique textures and flavours to the sauce, with each berry contributing something special.

Heat it Up

Heating canned cranberry sauce can take its flavour to the next level and make it more aesthetically pleasing. For canned whole cranberry sauce, you can pour it into a small pot and bring it to a low boil. If using jellied sauce, cut it into large cubes and stir before heating.

Frequently asked questions