Blackberry Cranberry Sauce

This wonderful homemade cranberry sauce is good on so many things, it’s hard to limit it just to the holidays. Blackberry Cranberry Sauce is a satisfying side dish that tastes amazing with roasted meats, or all by itself.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• Step-By-Step Instructions
• Expert Tips & Substitutions
• Serving Ideas
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Recipes to Try:
• Blackberry Cranberry Sauce
• Subscribe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are plenty of reasons to make fresh cranberry sauce, here’s a few of them:

• Homemade sauces with tart cranberries alongside a turkey dinner are nostalgic. This version uses fresh berries for a flavor boost and modern riff on a traditional cranberry sauce recipe.
• Pure vanilla extract is a game-changer in this recipe, and you’ll want to put it in cranberry sauce forever. (Thank you Emeril Lagasse for this valuable tip!)
• Leftover sauce is absolutely delicious on your morning oatmeal, plain yogurt with granola, oatmeal or on buttered and toasted bread.
• This is one of those great recipes that’s also perfect on top of a turkey burger with pepperjack cheese, and it’s wonderful with plain roasted chicken, too.

Need another bright & flavorful side? Try this Modern Carrot Salad, and Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt Sauce.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the full recipe, please scroll to the recipe card below.

1. Fresh Cranberries: A one pound bag will do the trick. I stockpile bags and freeze them for use throughout the year.
2. Fresh Blackberries:  If you can’t find blackberries, just use frozen. You can also substitute use fresh raspberries or blueberries instead.
3. Vinegar: Just a little acidity to balance the flavors.
4. Dark Brown Sugar: So unexpected, so deeply delicious.
5. Vanilla: Only pure vanilla extract will do here, and this magical ingredient makes all the difference in this cranberry sauce.

Step-By-Step Instructions

For the full set of ingredients and instructions, please scroll to the recipe card below.

1. Place the fresh cranberries in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat with a half cup of water, salt and sugar.
2. Bring to a boil until you hear the berries pop and sizzle.
3. Add the blackberries and vinegar.
4. Low simmer until the water evaporates.
5. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
6. Chill and serve.

Expert Tips & Substitutions

• This is recipe can be made with fresh raspberries instead of blackberries and it’s just as delicious.
• Use frozen blackberries if you can’t find fresh. Defrost and drain off any excess liquid first.
• Use a rubber spatula to gently stir the berries over medium heat when cooking, you want a chunkier texture for this sauce.
• Don’t skip the vanilla extract, it adds a sweetness and depth of flavor that makes all the difference in this recipe.
• Let the cranberries chill before serving for best favor, but they can be served at room temperature.
• Mild rice vinegar can be substituted for the raspberry vinegar if needed.
• Store leftover sauce in mason jars or an airtight container.
• Keep some fresh cranberries in the freezer, this sauce is great to make long after the holiday season!

Serving Ideas

• This blackberry cranberry sauce isn’t just for holiday meals, it’s absolutely delightful on your morning oatmeal too.
• It’s also very good on top of plain Greek yogurt with a sprinkle of granola.
• Cranberry sauce is wonderful with any type of roasted meat or vegetable, like next to Roasted Cauliflower with Yogurt Sauce, roasted Carrots with Almonds, Roasted Vegetables with Vinaigrette, and Parmesan Roasted Potatoes too.
• Spoon some on a cracker with cream or cheddar cheese for a snack, or make something more substantial (but still easy) like these California Crunchy Sushi Rolls for a starter.
• Use a delicious sauce for vanilla ice cream. Maybe with some easy holiday snowflake cookies.
• This is a tasty year-round side dish for roasted meats, so keep some cranberries in the freezer for later!

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes to Try:

• Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad: Such a delicious flavor combination.
• Roasted Carrots with Almonds: A very pretty veggie side dish recipe.
• Vegetable Sides to Serve with Turkey: A list of veggie favorites.
• Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Broccoli: A wonderful make-ahead side dish.
• Sweet and Spicy Almonds: So addicting, and perfect with cold drinks.
• Goat Cheese Toasts with Cranberry Compote: Warning, you can’t eat just one.
• Maple Roasted Squash with Goat Cheese : A really delicious side dish.
• My Favorite Hot Chocolate: Creamy, dreamy and dairy free.
• Fresh Blackberry Galette: Jammy and delish with a cup of tea or coffee.
• Raspberry Rhubarb Crisp: Homey, warm and so, so good.
• How to tell if Blackberries are bad: A handy guide.

If you’ve made Blackberry Cranberry Sauce, or any other recipe on Studio Delicious, please rate the recipe 5 stars tell me about it in the comments below!

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This text of this post was updated November, 2024.