Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

Ingredient Notes:

Use organic cranberries when you can find them in the grocery store. See the paragraph below which details why.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Variations

• Cinnamon - You can replace the cinnamon stick with another 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. This will impart more cinnamon flavor than the cinnamon stick does. 
• Sweetness - While this recipe calls for 1 ½ cups of sugar, you can increase or decrease the sweetness by decreasing or increasing the amount of sugar. Personally, I feel that the sweetness is just right. It's not that tart of a recipe and it's not overly sweet either. 
• Water - Instead of adding water, you can add the juice of a second orange, apple cider, or apple juice in its place. 
• Spicy - You can add some heat to the cranberries by adding a bit of red pepper flakes. 
• Other Spices - Ginger or cloves would also add a nice flavor profile to this healthy cranberry sauce recipe. 
• Vanilla extract - Vanilla extract will add a touch of sweetness in place of some of the sugar. 
• Lemon - You can substitute lemon zest in place of the orange zest if needed, but I personally love the orange zest. 

Why Make A Cranberry Sauce With Organic Cranberries? 

Organic products, including organic cranberries, can be more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Additionally, the availability of organic cranberries may be limited in some regions.

Ultimately, the choice to use organic cranberries in your cranberry sauce is a matter of personal values, health considerations, and budget. Both organic and conventional cranberries can be used to make delicious cranberry sauce, and the decision comes down to your individual priorities and preferences. Here are a few reasons for choosing organic:

1. Pesticide Residues: Organic cranberries are grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides so choosing organic may help reduce your exposure to pesticide residues and support a more environmentally friendly farming approach.

2. Environment: Organic farming practices often prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable land management. By choosing organic cranberries, you may be supporting more environmentally sustainable agricultural methods.

3. Non-GMO: Organic cranberries are generally non-GMO (genetically modified organism). If you have concerns about genetically modified foods, organic cranberries offer a non-GMO option.

Organic cranberries are processed with fewer additives and preservatives, which make them a cleaner ingredient in your sauce.

​How to Store

Place the cranberry sauce into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months if you wish; however, the consistency may change once defrosted. I typically make this recipe a few days in advance of Thanksgiving. 

What to do with Leftover Cranberry Sauce

One of the best parts of making a healthy cranberry sauce is that you will be happy you have leftovers! 

​1. You can use the cranberry sauce like a jam and spread it on toast or leftover dinner rolls. I like it on vegetables like Blistered Green Beans or Smashed Fingerling Potatoes.

2. You can spoon the cranberry sauce onto waffles or pancakes. 

3. Serving it with roast chicken or as a topping for a chicken burger. 

4. Serve them on a charcuterie board. 

5. It is delicious on crackers with cream cheese. 

6. Serve leftover turkey sandwiches! 

What is the difference between Cranberry Sauce, Cranberry Jelly, and Cranberry Chutney?

Cranberry Sauce, Cranberry Jelly, and Cranberry Chutney are all condiments made from cranberries, but they differ in terms of their ingredients, texture, and flavor profiles.

Cranberry Jelly contains pectin, which creates a gelatin-like texture. Chutney is a more complex condiment that combines cranberries with a variety of ingredients such as sugar, vinegar, spices, and sometimes additional fruits like apples, raisins, or oranges.

Cranberry chutney will be the most versatile as it contains fruit and vinegar so it pairs more easily with more recipes. All three are typically served during the holidays.