Make-it-your-own cranberry sauce

Turkey without cranberry sauce just wouldn't be the same, so grab a pack of cranberries and just a few simple ingredients and you're minutes away from perfecting your own sauce for a delicious Christmas or Thanksgiving side. This quick and easy recipe from chef Andrew is a great base recipe which you can adapt as you like with your favourite ingredients or whatever you have to hand. 

Serves 4-6

Serves 4-6

Vegetarian

Vegetarian

Vegan

Vegan

Gluten-free

Gluten-free

Dairy-free

Dairy-free

Ingredients

  • 300g fresh cranberries
  • 180g caster sugar
  • Juice and zest of 1 orange
  • 40ml Port
  • 3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Cooking instructions

  • Add everything to a saucepan and stir well.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook over a medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until thickened. 
  • Remove the cardamom pods. You can leave the cranberries whole and keep the sauce quite chunky, or mash in the pan for a smoother sauce. 
  • Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
  • Keeps for 2-3 days in the fridge or seal in a sterilised jar for up to a month.

Make it your own

Fresh cranberries - if you can't find fresh, use frozen berries and just defrost fully before adding to the pan. You can cook them straight from frozen but they will release a bit more moisture and break down more as they cook. 

Caster sugar - granulated sugar will work just as well, or swap to demerara or light brown sugar for a more caramelised taste.

Orange - swap for 2 clementines, tangerines or mandarins. You can use a few tablespoons of orange juice from a carton if needed!

Port - use any fruity red wine you have open for Christmas. For a non-alcoholic version, increase the orange juice and add a splash or red wine or balsamic vinegar, or use unsweetened cranberry juice or pomegranate juice for an intense red colour. 

Cardamom and vanilla - these are two of Chef Andrew's favourite additions for a subtle sweet spice flavour, but you can add a cinnamon stick and/or star anise for a more traditional flavour, or try a pinch of mixed spice, ground ginger or freshly grated nutmeg.  A sprig of rosemary added just at the end makes a lovely garnish or chuck in a bay leaf for an aromatic note. 

Texture - keep the berries whole for an almost compote-like texture, mash with a fork or spoon for a chunky sauce or you can blitz together/pass through a sieve for a completely smooth sauce if you prefer.