Homemade Red Wine Cranberry Sauce

Cranberries are one of the icons of the holiday season from Thanksgiving through Christmas. This recipe for cranberry sauce is even more festive with red wine, fresh orange juice, and two types of sugar!

Why You’ll Love It

• Making cranberry sauce from scratch is so easy, and wine takes this classic dish to the next level.
• It’s a make ahead recipe that can be served at room temperature so it’s great for easy entertaining or a Thanksgiving potluck make-and-take.
• The tartness and acidity helps to cut the richness of other foods typically served for Holiday meals, and provides balance!
• Cranberry sauce is versatile. Turn leftovers into a tasty condiment by serving it on sandwiches, or on crostini with cheese, or hot brie for appetizers.

Ingredients & Tips

• Fresh cranberries. Use fresh or frozen berries. I typically start with fresh but the frozen berries hold up so well, you can add them straight from the freezer into the pot.
• Sugar. You’ll use BOTH granulated sugar AND light brown sugar. The combination adds richness and depth.
• Orange. You’ll be using the freshly squeezed juice as well as the zest. Zest the orange first, then cut it in half and squeeze out the juice. Room temperature oranges will provide more juice than cold ones.
• Cinnamon stick
• Ground ginger
• Pinot Noir wine. This is a light red wine that pairs well with turkey so it makes sense to use it here. Shiraz or Malbec would also be nice as a substitute. Use a wine you would also enjoy drinking, that way you can serve the rest of the bottle with dinner.

How to Make It

1. Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan EXCEPT wine; stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often.

2. Reduce heat to a simmer for 15 minutes or until cranberries pop and sauce begins to thicken. Continue to stir occasionally. 
3. Turn heat off and stir in the wine. The hot temperature will help to burn off the alcohol but leave the flavor of the wine. Remove the cinnamon stick and let the sauce cool completely, then store covered in the fridge until ready to serve.

Alternative

If you have concerns about the alcohol you can divide the sauce in two, adding the wine to one batch. Or, eliminate it altogether.

Experiment with other spirits like brandy, port, orange liqueur, spiced rum, or champagne!

Expert Tips

Make up to 3 days ahead. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 more days.

Make and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Spoon it over baked brie.
• Mix cranberry sauce with cream cheese to make muffin appetizers.
• Have it with Thanksgiving turkey and dressing, Easter ham, or with Christmas dinner. 
• Make turkey sandwiches with it.
• Create crostini appetizers. Spread bread with goat cheese, brie, or cream cheese and then top with cranberry sauce.
• Serve it on top of these baked mini cheesecakes for dessert!  

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Here are some fantastic menu ideas to serve with red wine cranberry sauce.

• Pumpkin curry soup appetizer
• Slow cooker turkey breast
• Broccoli casserole
• Wile rice dressing
• Sweet potato casserole

PARTY TIP: Decorate with cranberries: Float them in water with a candle, fill a glass vase with flowers surrounded by cranberries, freeze them in ice trays, or add them to small bowls to hole place cards.