A homemade Cranberry Orange Chipotle Sauce that's sure to impress your friends and family this holiday season. It's a little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot of delicious. Give it a try, and let the holiday feasting
This Cranberry Chipotle Sauce is incredibly versatile. It's the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving dinner, but it is also the perfect compliment with cheese, roasted vegetables, and even as a glaze for grilled meats.
Ingredients
You will need these simple ingredients to make this Cranberry Orange Chipotle Sauce.
Cranberries: You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries in this recipe. Fresh cranberries are often available in the fall and winter months, while frozen cranberries can be used year-round. There's no need to thaw frozen cranberries before using them in this recipe.
Orange Juice and Zest: Using freshly squeezed orange juice and zest is highly recommended. It adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the sauce.
Sugar: The sugar in this recipe balances the tartness of the cranberries. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking, making the sauce sweeter or less sweet as needed.
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: They add a smoky heat and the level of spiciness can vary depending on the brand and your personal preference. Start with the recommended three peppers and adjust up or down to achieve your desired heat level.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make the Cranberry Orange Chipotle sauce; Step by step
First up, give your cranberries a good rinse under cold water. If you're using frozen cranberries, there's no need to thaw them; they'll work just fine straight from the freezer.
In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the ¾ cup of orange juice and ½ cup of sugar.
Place your saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the orange juice and sugar mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it's boiling, reduce to medium heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves.
Carefully add your 5 cups of cranberries to the simmering liquid. Don't be alarmed if they start to pop; that's what they're supposed to do.
Grate the zest of one orange directly into the saucepan. This zesty addition will bring a burst of citrusy freshness to your sauce.
Introduce the star of the show: those smoky and spicy chipotle peppers. Mince up three of them and add them to the cranberry mixture. If you're a spice lover, feel free to add more for an extra kick.
Now, let everything simmer together for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. Don't forget to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Just a tiny pinch of salt will balance out the flavors and enhance all the delicious elements in your sauce. Be cautious not to overdo it; you can always add more later if needed.
Once you're satisfied with the flavors, remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Once it's cool, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
This Cranberry Chipotle Sauce is incredibly versatile. It's the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving dinner, but it is also the perfect compliment with cheese, roasted vegetables, and even as a glaze for grilled meats.
Tips
Taste your sauce as you go along. Everyone's preferences are different, so adjust the sugar and chipotle peppers to suit your taste buds. It's easier to add more than to try and balance out excess sweetness or spiciness.
When grating the zest of an orange, be careful not to include the bitter white pith beneath the orange skin. The zest should provide a burst of citrusy flavor without any bitterness.
As mentioned in the recipe, both frozen and fresh cranberries work well. Use what's readily available to you. If using frozen cranberries, there's no need to thaw them before cooking.
Store your Cranberry Chipotle Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to a week. If you're making it in advance, it also freezes well for longer storage.
This sauce isn't just for holiday roasts. Get creative and use it as a condiment for sandwiches, and burgers, or as a dip for appetizers like meatballs or chicken wings.
If you're hosting a large gathering or want to have extra sauce on hand, feel free to double or triple the recipe. It's always great to have some leftovers for sandwiches and snacks.
Variations
Add new twists of other fruits for unique flavor profiles. Consider mixing in diced apples pears or even fresh mango for a fruity twist. Apples and cranberries, in particular, make a classic combination.
Add a pinch of ground nutmeg for a warm, earthy flavor. Nutmeg pairs exceptionally well with cranberries and chipotle.
Include fresh grated ginger along with the orange zest for an extra layer of spiciness and warmth.
Replace some or all of the sugar with pure maple syrup for a natural, rich sweetness and an extra depth of flavor.
If you want your sauce to have a smoother consistency, use the food processor once it's cooled.
Serve this sauce over cream cheese with crackers it makes a delicious dip!
FAQ
While you can use canned cranberry sauce as a base, it won't have the same fresh flavor and texture as using fresh or frozen cranberries. Making your sauce from scratch with fresh or frozen cranberries will yield the best results.
Absolutely! This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It can also be frozen for longer storage. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Leftover Cranberry Chipotle Sauce is incredibly versatile. You can use it as a condiment for turkey sandwiches, and burgers, or as a glaze for grilled meats. It also pairs well with cheese and crackers or as a dip for appetizers.
If you have guests who prefer a milder sauce, simply reduce the number of chipotle peppers or omit them entirely. You can also add a bit more sugar or honey to balance out the flavors.
What can I do if my sauce is too thick?
If your sauce becomes too thick during cooking, simply add a little water or orange juice to reach your desired consistency. Remember that it will continue to thicken as it cools.
Holiday's Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Cranberry Orange Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ½ cup regular sugar or brown sugar
- 5 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- Zest of one orange
- 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce minced
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- First up, give your cranberries a good rinse under cold water. If you're using frozen cranberries, there's no need to thaw them; they'll work just fine straight from the freezer.
- In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the ¾ cup of orange juice and ½ cup of sugar.
- Place your saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the orange juice and sugar mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it's boiling, reduce to medium heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves.
- Carefully add your 5 cups of cranberries to the simmering liquid. Don't be alarmed if they start to pop; that's what they're supposed to do.
- Grate the zest of one orange directly into the saucepan. This zesty addition will bring a burst of citrusy freshness to your sauce.
- Time to introduce the star of the show: those smoky and spicy chipotle peppers. Mince up three of them and add them to the cranberry mixture. If you're a spice lover, feel free to add more for an extra kick.
- Now, let everything simmer together for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. Don't forget to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Just a tiny pinch of salt will balance out the flavors and enhance all the delicious elements in your sauce. Be cautious not to overdo it; you can always add more later if needed.
- Once you're satisfied with the flavors, remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Once it's cool, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
- This Cranberry Chipotle Sauce is incredibly versatile. It's the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving dinner, but it is also the perfect compliment with cheese, roasted vegetables, and even as a glaze for grilled meats.
Notes
Tips
- Taste your sauce as you go along. Everyone's preferences are different, so adjust the sugar and chipotle peppers to suit your taste buds. It's easier to add more than to try and balance out excess sweetness or spiciness.
- When grating the zest of an orange, be careful not to include the bitter white pith beneath the orange skin. The zest should provide a burst of citrusy flavor without any bitterness.
- As mentioned in the recipe, both frozen and fresh cranberries work well. Use what's readily available to you. If using frozen cranberries, there's no need to thaw them before cooking.
- Store your Cranberry Chipotle Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to a week. If you're making it in advance, it also freezes well for longer storage.
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