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To make Minute Maple Cranberry Sauce, you need a few simple items. Here’s the list of ingredients: - 12 oz fresh cranberries - 1 cup maple syrup - 1/2 cup orange juice - Zest of 1 orange - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - Pinch of salt Fresh cranberries are the star of this sauce. They add a bright, tart flavor. Maple syrup gives the sauce a sweet touch. Orange juice adds a nice citrus note. The zest of the orange brings out even more flavor. Cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth, and the pinch of salt balances everything. This mix makes a sauce that is both sweet and tart. It pairs well with meats and can sweeten up any meal. These ingredients work together to give you a tasty sauce in no time. You can easily find them in your local grocery store. Now that you have your ingredients ready, you can move on to the next steps. Happy cooking! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Rinse the cranberries under cold water. Pick out any that are soft or damaged. This step ensures you only use the best berries for your sauce. 2. In a medium saucepan, combine 12 oz of fresh cranberries, 1 cup of maple syrup, and 1/2 cup of orange juice. Use medium heat to slowly warm the mix. This helps the flavors blend. 3. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally to keep the cranberries from sticking. This will help them cook evenly and release their juices. 4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Add the zest of 1 orange, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. These spices enhance the flavor of the sauce. 5. Cook for about 5-10 minutes. Watch the cranberries closely as they burst. The sauce should thicken to your liking. Stir now and then to prevent it from sticking. 6. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Let the sauce cool slightly. It will continue to thicken as it cools. 7. If you want a smooth texture, blend the sauce carefully. Use an immersion blender until you reach your desired consistency. 8. Transfer the sauce to a serving dish. Allow it to cool completely before serving. This step lets the flavors develop fully. - How to avoid burning the sauce Keep the heat medium. Stir often, especially as it thickens. If it starts to stick, lower the heat. - Achieving desired thickness Cook for 5-10 minutes. The longer you cook, the thicker it gets. You can also blend it for a smoother texture later. - Best practices for blending Use an immersion blender for easy blending. Blend carefully to avoid splatters. Stop when it reaches your preferred smoothness. - Ideal pairings with dishes This sauce pairs well with turkey, pork, or even pancakes. It adds a sweet touch to savory meals. - Garnishing options Consider adding orange slices or whole berries on top. A sprinkle of cinnamon gives it a nice look too. - Storage and reheating tips Store in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave. Stir well before serving. Pro Tips Freshness Matters: Always use fresh cranberries for the best flavor and texture. Check for any that are damaged before cooking. Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of maple syrup or add a splash of vinegar for balance. Thicker Sauce: To achieve a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer longer or mash some of the cranberries with a fork as it cooks. Flavor Enhancements: Experiment with additional spices like cloves or ginger for a unique twist on traditional cranberry sauce. {{image_2}} You can make Minute Maple Cranberry Sauce even better with some fun twists. - Adding nuts or berries: Chopped walnuts or pecans add crunch. Fresh blueberries or raspberries can add a nice pop of color. Just stir them in before serving. - Substitutes for maple syrup: If you want a different taste, try honey or agave syrup. Both work well and give a sweet touch. - Alternative spices and flavors: You can mix in ginger for a spicy zing. Vanilla extract can also add a sweet aroma. Experiment to find your favorite blend. You can easily adapt this recipe to fit your needs. - Vegan-friendly adjustments: This recipe is already vegan if you use maple syrup. Just make sure all your ingredients are plant-based. - Sugar-free alternatives: For a sugar-free sauce, use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit. This keeps the flavor while cutting out sugar. Feel free to play around with these options. Making this sauce your own is part of the fun! To keep your Minute Maple Cranberry Sauce fresh, use a glass jar or a plastic container. Glass jars seal tightly and keep flavors intact. If you use plastic, make sure it is food-safe. Always allow the sauce to cool down before storing. This helps prevent condensation in the container. Place the container in the fridge. Ensure the lid is on snugly to keep out air. This prevents the sauce from drying out or absorbing other smells. Your cranberry sauce lasts up to two weeks in the fridge. This makes it great for meal prep or holiday feasts. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. You can freeze cranberry sauce for up to six months. Just pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top. The sauce will expand as it freezes. When you're ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, give it a good stir before serving. Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Just thaw them first. Frozen cranberries may cook faster, so watch the sauce closely. Can I make this sauce ahead of time? Absolutely! This sauce tastes great when made a day or two in advance. Just store it in the fridge in a tight container. How do I serve cranberry sauce? You can serve cranberry sauce chilled or at room temperature. It pairs well with turkey, ham, or even on a cheese platter. Is this recipe suitable for canning? This recipe is not meant for canning. The sauce does not have enough acidity for safe canning methods. Enjoy it fresh! Making homemade cranberry sauce is simple and fun. You learn how to choose fresh cranberries and blend them with tasty ingredients like maple syrup and spices. The step-by-step guide helps you cook the sauce just right. You also get helpful tips for serving and storing it well. In the end, this flavorful sauce can brighten any meal. Try new variations or adjust it to fit your needs. With practice, you’ll impress everyone with your homemade cranberry sauce! Enjoy the process and share with friends and family.

Minute Maple Cranberry Sauce

A quick and easy cranberry sauce sweetened with maple syrup and brightened with orange juice.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 80 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • 0.5 cup orange juice
  • 1 zest orange
  • 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the cranberries under cold water and pick out any that are damaged or soft.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries, maple syrup, and orange juice over medium heat.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
  • Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add in the orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
  • Cook for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  • Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
  • If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend it carefully with an immersion blender until you reach the desired texture.
  • Transfer to a serving dish and allow it to cool completely before serving.

Notes

The sauce will thicken as it cools. Blend for a smoother texture if desired.
Keyword cranberry sauce, maple syrup, thanksgiving