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For this honey lemon cranberry sauce, start with 12 ounces of fresh cranberries. This is about 3 cups. Make sure to rinse them well. Remove any stems or bad berries. Fresh cranberries give the sauce a bright, tangy taste. Their natural tartness balances beautifully with the sweet honey. Next, you need sweeteners and citrus. Use 1/2 cup of honey for sweetness. It adds a nice floral note to the sauce. Combine this with 1/2 cup of water. This helps dissolve the honey. For a zesty kick, add the zest and juice of 1 lemon. The lemon adds freshness and brightens the flavors. Adjust the sweetness by adding more honey if you like it sweeter. For a touch of warmth, consider adding optional spices. A 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon works well here. This spice enhances the depth of flavor. You can also add a pinch of salt. This balances the sweet and sour notes. These spices are not necessary, but they can elevate your sauce. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, rinse the cranberries in cold water. Check each berry for stems or any damage. Discard any bad berries. This step is important for a clean sauce. You want the best flavor from fresh cranberries. In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of honey and 1/2 cup of water. Heat this mixture over medium heat. Stir until the honey dissolves. Once the honey is fully mixed, add the rinsed cranberries. Then, add the zest and juice of 1 lemon. If you like a little spice, add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. This will give your sauce a warm flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally as the cranberries burst. You will see the sauce start to thicken. Taste the sauce after it thickens. If you want, add a pinch of salt. You can also add more honey if you like it sweeter. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool. It will thicken more as it cools. Transfer the sauce to a dish or jar and refrigerate until serving. To make your honey lemon cranberry sauce shine, balance the flavors. Start with fresh cranberries. They have the best taste. The honey adds sweetness, while the lemon gives a bright kick. If you want more zing, add extra lemon juice. A pinch of cinnamon can also warm the flavor. Taste as you go. Adjust sweetness with more honey if needed. The sauce should be thick but not too thick. If it's too thin, simmer it longer. This helps the cranberries burst and thicken the sauce. If it's too thick, add a little water and stir. Let it simmer a bit longer to blend everything. Remember, the sauce will thicken more as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a bit loose. Serve this sauce in a lovely bowl. A sprig of fresh mint on top looks nice. You can also sprinkle lemon zest around the sauce for color. This sauce pairs well with turkey, chicken, or even pancakes. Use it as a dip for cheese or spread it on toast. It adds a fun twist to any meal! Pro Tips Use Fresh Cranberries: Always opt for fresh cranberries for the best flavor and texture. Frozen cranberries can work in a pinch but may alter the sauce's consistency. Adjust Sweetness: Depending on your taste preferences, you can adjust the sweetness of the sauce by adding more honey or a little bit of sugar if you prefer. Experiment with Spices: Feel free to add other spices such as nutmeg or cloves for a unique twist on the flavor profile of your sauce. Storage Tips: This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, making it convenient for holiday meals or gatherings. {{image_2}} You can make your honey lemon cranberry sauce even better with some fun add-ins. Try adding chopped nuts for a crunchy bite. Pecans or walnuts work great here. You could also mix in dried fruit. Raisins or chopped apricots add a sweet twist. If you want a bit of spice, a dash of ground ginger can bring warmth. Each option adds a unique touch to the sauce. If you want to switch things up, consider other sweeteners. Maple syrup is a great choice; it adds a rich flavor. Agave nectar is another option. It has a mild taste that blends well. For a low-calorie choice, try stevia. Just remember to adjust the amount, as it is much sweeter than honey. Each sweetener can change the sauce's taste, so pick what you like best. You can boost the flavor of your sauce with simple tweaks. Adding a splash of orange juice brightens the taste. A few drops of vanilla extract can add depth. For a more complex flavor, try a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg. These spices give your sauce a warm aroma. Don’t forget to taste as you go, so the flavor suits your palate. Store your honey lemon cranberry sauce in a clean, airtight jar. Make sure it cools to room temperature before sealing. This helps keep the sauce fresh and flavorful. Always label your jar with the date. This way, you can keep track of how long it has been stored. If you want to save some sauce for later, freezing works great. Pour the cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top for expansion. You can also use ice cube trays for small portions. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. This makes it easy to grab just the right amount. In the fridge, your honey lemon cranberry sauce lasts about two weeks. If you freeze it, it can last up to six months. Just remember, the longer it sits, the more flavor may fade. Always check for any signs of spoilage before using. Enjoy your delicious sauce at its best! Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. They work well in this recipe. Just rinse them under cold water before adding them to the pot. Frozen cranberries may take a little longer to cook. This delay allows them to thaw and burst properly. You may also notice a slightly different texture. However, the flavor remains delicious and tangy. If you want to change the sweetness, it's easy! Start with half a cup of honey. After cooking, taste the sauce. If it needs more sweetness, add more honey, one tablespoon at a time. Stir well and let it sit for a moment. This way, the sweetness blends in. Remember, the sauce will taste a bit less sweet when cold. This recipe is not ideal for canning. The acidity level is low, which may lead to spoilage. For safe canning, you need to follow specific guidelines. Use a tested recipe designed for canning. If you want to store it longer, consider freezing it. Frozen honey lemon cranberry sauce stays fresh and tasty for months. You now have a clear guide to create a tasty cranberry sauce. We covered the key ingredients, from fresh berries to sweeteners and spices. I gave you step-by-step instructions for preparing, cooking, and thickening the sauce. You also learned tips for flavor, consistency, and serving. Feel free to experiment with variations and learn about proper storage. This easy recipe helps you craft a great sauce that can impress anyone. Get ready to enjoy that home-cooked flavor!

Honey Lemon Cranberry Sauce

A sweet and tangy cranberry sauce with honey and lemon, perfect for holiday meals.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 60 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 0.5 cup honey
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 1 lemon Zest of
  • 1 lemon Juice of
  • 0.25 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the cranberries under cold water and remove any stems or damaged berries.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the honey and water over medium heat; stir until the honey dissolves.
  • Add the rinsed cranberries to the saucepan, along with the lemon zest, lemon juice, and cinnamon (if using).
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
  • Taste and add a pinch of salt if desired. Adjust sweetness by adding more honey if necessary.
  • Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool. It will thicken further as it cools.
  • Once cooled, transfer to a serving dish or jar and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Serve the sauce in a decorative bowl with a sprig of fresh mint on top and some additional lemon zest sprinkled around the sauce for a pop of color.
Keyword cranberry, holiday, sauce