This recipe for My Favorite Cranberry Sauce is super versatile year-round. Don’t shy away from using blackberries! The flavors are deep and complex and it tastes amazing as a fresh cranberry side dish with roasted meats.
There are plenty of reasons to make My Favorite Cranberry Sauce, and here are three:
- It’s a side dish that everyone loves, and tastes just as good on a turkey burger as it does with roasted chicken on Sunday
- Adding fresh blackberries and pure vanilla extract may change how you think about and use cranberry sauce. Really!
- It’s tart, fresh-tasting and SO GOOD on plain Greek yogurt for breakfast, or on a charcuterie board with assorted cheeses, breads and thin-sliced meats.
Ingredients You’ll Need For My Favorite Cranberry Sauce
Fresh Cranberries: I stockpile them and freeze them for use throughout the year
Fresh Blackberries: If you can’t find blackberries, use frozen. Or use fresh raspberries.
Vinegar: We’ll need a little acidity to balance the flavors
Brown Sugar: So unexpected, so deeply delicious
Vanilla: Only pure vanilla extract will do here, and this single ingredient makes all the difference in this cranberry sauce
How to Make This Recipe
- Place the fresh cranberries in a medium-sized saucepan with the water, salt and sugar
- Bring to a boil until you hear some of popping and sizzling, this is a good thing
- Add the blackberries and vinegar
- Simmer, simmer, simmer
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla
- Chill and serve!
Tips for Success
- I’ve made this recipe many times with fresh raspberries instead of blackberries and it’s just as delicious.
- But give the blackberries a try! If you can’t locate them fresh, frozen works too, just drain off any excess liquid first.
- Don’t skip the vanilla extract! It adds a little sweetness and depth of flavor that makes all the difference.
- Be sure to let the cranberries cool before serving for maximum favor.
- Store fresh cranberries in the freezer and use them year-round!
Serving Ideas
- You’ll find this cranberry-blackerry sauce is delightful on your morning oatmeal
- It’s also amazing on top of plain greek yogurt with some granola
- Homemade cranberries are a welcome side dish to almost any Sunday supper
- It’s also a wonderful addition to your turkey or veggie burger (see recipe below)
- Spoon some on a cracker with cream or cheddar cheese for a little snack
More Recipes to Try:
Turkey Burger with Pepperjack and Cranberry
Maple Roasted Squash with Goat Cheese
If you’ve made My Favorite Cranberry Sauce, or any other recipe on Studio Delicious, please tell me about it in the comments below!
My Favorite Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cranberries, fresh, rinsed
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar
- 1/3 cup Blackberries, fresh
- 2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 tbsp. Raspberry Vinegar
Instructions
- Put the cranberries in a medium saucepan with the water, salt and sugar on medium high heat. Stir to help dissolve the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil until the cranberries pop and sizzle, about 7 minutes. Add the blackberries and raspberry vinegar, lower the heat to medium, and let the mixture gently simmer, with occasional gentle stirring for 6-8 more minutes, until the liquid is syrupy and almost evaporated. Don't overstir the mixture, you want it chunky! Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Cool and serve. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for several days.
Notes
- Use rice vinegar instead of raspberry vinegar if needed
- Use fresh raspberries instead of fresh blackberries too
- Don't over-stir the mixture when cooking, you want it chunky
- Use in your hot cereal for a delicious breakfast
- This is a wonderful side dish for chicken any time of year
Nutrition
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
Please rate this recipe and thanks for leaving a comment!