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Perfect Make-Ahead Cranberry Orange Rosemary Sauce

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This make-ahead cranberry sauce combines tart cranberries, bright orange, and woodsy rosemary for a perfectly balanced condiment that gets better after a day or two in the fridge. It’s ideal for holiday meals and versatile enough for sandwiches, yogurt, or glazes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340g) fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup (240ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) water
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients (5 minutes): Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water and pick out any that are soft or discolored. Zest the oranges before juicing them. Measure out the sugar, water, and orange juice.
  2. Combine the Base (2 minutes): In a medium saucepan, add the fresh cranberries, orange juice, water, and granulated sugar. Stir to distribute the sugar.
  3. Add the Aromatics (1 minute): Drop in the two sprigs of fresh rosemary and the orange zest. Do not chop the rosemary.
  4. Bring to a Boil (5-7 minutes): Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a full rolling boil.
  5. Reduce and Simmer (10-12 minutes): Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Stir every 2-3 minutes. The cranberries will start popping open around the 5-minute mark.
  6. Check for Doneness (1 minute): After about 10 minutes of simmering, test by dipping a cold spoon into the sauce and running your finger through the coating. If the line holds, it’s done.
  7. Remove the Rosemary (1 minute): Use tongs to lift out the rosemary sprigs. Optionally, pour through a fine-mesh strainer for a smoother sauce.
  8. Cool Completely (30 minutes): Transfer the sauce to a heat-safe bowl or storage container. Let cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. Refrigerate Overnight (at least 8 hours): Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours for best flavor development.

Notes

The sauce needs at least 24 hours in the fridge for flavors to fully develop. It will continue to thicken as it cools, so remove from heat when slightly looser than desired. For a spiced version, add a cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves. For a maple bourbon version, replace sugar with 1/2 cup maple syrup and add 2 tablespoons bourbon. For a low-sugar version, use 1/4 cup sugar or monk fruit sweetener. For a spicy version, add a finely chopped jalapeño or 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. For a slow cooker method, cook on low for 3-4 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, make-ahead cranberry sauce, cranberry orange rosemary sauce, holiday cranberry sauce, easy cranberry sauce

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/perfect-make-ahead-cranberry-orange-rosemary-sauce/