Cranberry Orange Chipotle Sauce

A homemade Cranberry 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.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin

Course: Side

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Sauce

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 35

Servings: cups

Calories: 61kcal

Author: Sophie Viau

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.

Nutrition