I am so excited for Thanksgiving. This is the main food holiday of the year and one of my three favorites (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). One part of this feast that is classic yet commonly neglected is the cranberry sauce. This Herbed Cranberry Sauce changed the way I thought about cranberry sauce. Full of tart berries, savory herbs, and sweetness, this is the perfect accompaniment for a juicy turkey or rich stuffing. As someone who loves a salty-sweet combination, I have fallen in love with cranberry sauce. Last year, I used it as a sauce for turkey sandwiches made with turkey leftovers, and it absolutely *made* the sandwich. Best of all? All it takes is throwing everything in a pot and letting it simmer. The sauce practically makes itself. So what are you waiting for? Pick up some fresh cranberries and change the game this Thanksgiving.
Cranberry sauce is always associated with Thanksgiving (and for good reason!) but it can be used for so much more. I’ve used cranberry sauce as a spread with cheese plates, a dip for cheese puffs, and a base mix for cocktails. This particular sauce is incredibly versatile and works for all of the above, and more.
Lots of fresh cranberry sauces use citrus, like orange, as a base and I think those are wonderful as well. However, I went in a different, more herb-focused, direction for this one. The intense herb flavor adds such a rich savory quality to any application, and the white wine base adds a little fruity acidity that works well with cheese, meat, and any crackers.
The ingredient list is as simple as it gets: Cranberries, sugar, white wine, spices, pepper, and salt is all you need. Throw them in a pot, simmer away, and wait for the magic to happen.
As the cranberries cook, they will start to crack and burst. Just keep stirring until they fully soften and form and thicker sauce, then cool and enjoy!
I hope you love this Herbed Cranberry Sauce! If you loved this recipe, leave a comment and let me know what you thought or feel free to ask a question! I’d also love to see what you made! Tag me in your food pics #fortheperfectbite on Instagram.
Herbed Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh cranberries
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¾ tsp dried rosemary
- ¾ tsp dried sage
- ½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries are burst and softened and sauce has thickened, about 30-45 minutes.
- Serve as a sauce, with a cheese plate, as a spread with crackers, mixed into a cocktail, or any other way you can think of!
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