Come Thanksgiving and Christmas, turkeys across America find themselves paired up with a tart, crimson condiment – cranberry sauce. This classic holiday duo is as traditional as pumpkin pie and carols, but is cranberry sauce actually good with turkey? Or is it just a relic of the past we eat out of habit?
I’m here to argue that cranberry sauce deserves its place at the holiday table and is an ideal flavor complement to roasted turkey and savory sides. Don’t relegate it to just a dollop on the plate! Read on to discover why this dynamic pairing is so right.
A Brief History of Cranberry Sauce and Turkey
While turkey has been a centerpiece of holiday feasts since the pilgrims and Native Americans broke bread at the first Thanksgiving cranberry sauce is a relatively new addition to the table. Native Americans were known to crush raw cranberries into pemmican but it wasn’t until the 19th century that cranberry sauce really caught on.
As the American dinner menu expanded beyond just roast meats and boiled vegetables, cranberry sauce provided a tangy, sweet contrast to the other dishes. Its bright red color also lent festive flair to the holiday plate. Unlike many condiments, cranberry sauce could be made affordably at home from foraged berries.
By the early 20th century, jellied cranberry sauce debuted to widespread popularity Its moldable shape made it easy to produce commercially This cemented cranberry sauce as an expected part of the Thanksgiving meal.
Why are Cranberries a Good Match for Turkey?
Cranberry sauce may seem like an odd choice at first glance. But it’s that contrast from the other flavors that make it work so well. Let’s look at why the pairing is genius:
It balances the richness – Turkey is prized for its moist, tender and velvety dark meat It has a luxurious mouthfeel, especially when served with gravy or schmaltz The clean, bright acidity of the cranberries cuts through the fat for balance.
It provides a tangy pop – Cranberry sauce is synonymous with bracing, lip-smacking tartness. It stimulates the appetite and keeps each bite interesting in contrast to umami sides.
The sweetness offsets the savory – While poultry is far from sweet, there’s still a Hit of residual sugars in the turkey skin. The sweet-tart cranberry profile serves as the yin to turkey’s yang.
It echoes the autumnal season – Cranberries reach peak ripeness in the fall, the same time as turkey season. Their harvest flavors just say “holiday.”
The colors compliment – Red and brown are classic complementary colors. The vibrant red sauce looks stunning next to slices of golden turkey meat on the plate.
It can highlight other flavors – Cranberry sauce contains undertones of citrus, cloves, cinnamon and ginger. These flavors find kindred spirits in side dishes like roasted vegetables, stuffing and sweet potatoes.
Tips for Serving Cranberry Sauce with Turkey
Cranberry sauce deserves more than just being dolloped next to the turkey as an afterthought. Here are some tips to take this pairing to the next level:
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Serve it warm – Warm cranberry sauce is far more aromatic, intensifying its flavor and ability to cut through richness. Heat it gently with spices.
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Swirl it into gravy – Blending some cranberry sauce into turkey gravy adds sweetness, acidity and festive color for next-level flavor.
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Stuff it inside – Spoon some sauce into slit turkey breast before roasting for juicy, flavorful meat. Works great with chicken too.
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Toss with Brussels sprouts – Roasted Brussels sprouts are amazing tossed with a bit of warmed cranberry sauce for sweet-tart balance.
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Spread on sandwiches – Slather leftover turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce instead of mayo or mustard for a change of pace.
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Bake it into cornbread – Add a swirl of cranberry sauce to the batter before baking for a beautiful red streak and sweet-tart bites.
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Mix into wild rice – Stirring wild rice with some sauce adds pops of color, flavor and moisture.
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Blend into cocktails – Muddle fresh cranberries and cranberry sauce into Thanksgiving cocktails like sangria, Moscow mules or margaritas.
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Bake into brie – For an appetizer, top brie with cranberry sauce before baking to let the flavors melt together.
Homemade vs Store-Bought Cranberry Sauce
While it’s tempting to just open up a can of jellied cranberry sauce, homemade has superior texture and nuanced flavor. Still, good store-bought sauce beats none at all. Here’s how they compare:
Homemade:
- More complex, balanced flavor
- Less cloyingly sweet
- Better cranberry texture
- Endless recipe customizations
Store-bought:
- Perfectly molded shape
- Consistent results
- Wide availability
- Time saver
I recommend taking 10 minutes to whip up your own quick stovetop cranberry sauce. Adjust sweetness and spice to taste. But on busy days, good quality canned sauce still hits the spot!
Cranberry Sauce Shines Beyond Thanksgiving
This winning flavor combination shouldn’t be limited to just the holidays. The next time you cook up a chicken, turkey breast, pork loin or stuffed acorn squash, don’t hesitate to bust out the cranberry sauce. Its clean sweet-tart balance enlivens so many savory dishes year-round.
So this Thanksgiving, embrace cranberry sauce as so much more than just a stodgy side. With its festive flair and counterpoint of flavors, it earns its place at the table. Dip, drizzle, dollop or bake it into everything you can – your tastebuds will thank you!
Swaps and Substitution Suggestions From Our Readers
- Ole: “Using orange juice instead of water is nice; it adds a little zip without being too much.” “.
- Joe: “I added cherry juice and it was very delicious!”
- Dianna: “I added dried orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. The smell and flavor is one of the BEST!”.
- “I added a lot of blueberries and not as many pecans,” Jan said. Topped off with a bit of cinnamon. Everyone at the table said, “Those were the best cranberries I’ve ever had!”
- Jennifer: “Apple juice, brown sugar, and diced and peeled apples are what I use.” I add the apple when I add the cranberries. Cranberry sauce is less sour than this, but it’s not too sweet either. It is a great balance. “.
- Michelle: “Once the sauce has cooled a bit, I add a few swigs of Grand Marnier or another orange-flavored liquor and mix it in well.” “.
- Bonny: “Decided to play with it a bit. I used orange juice and chopped apple. I chopped up some fresh Italian basil and cooked it with the apples and berries as well. When you add a few shots of Crown Royal to that, it’s beyond great. “.
How Far Ahead Can You Make Cranberry Sauce?
Don’t serve the cranberry sauce until it’s completely cold. This will give it time to set up and work its best. It will have plenty of time to chill if you make it the day before Thanksgiving.This will also save you time on Thanksgiving itself.
You can make this cranberry sauce up to 1 week before serving.
The Perfect Cranberry Sauce For Thanksgiving | Chef Jean-Pierre
FAQ
Does cranberry sauce go on turkey?
Why do people eat cranberry sauce with turkey?
What sauce is traditionally served with turkey?
Can cranberry sauce go with Turkey?
Cranberries are absolutely perfect with turkey. Sort of like lemons and chicken. Something about the flavors, they’re just made for each other. Which is why the sauce is so good to spread over turkey in your leftover turkey sandwiches. The following is a simple and easy recipe for cranberry sauce, one that you can easily dress up with extras.
Is jellied cranberry sauce good for our health?
That infamous block of canned cranberry sauce! Cranberry sauce can be rich in antioxidants and overall can be part of a healthy diet. I encourage you to look at the nutrition label and see how much added sugar is in the container as this will have more of an effect on our health. Ideally we want to minimize the amount of added sugar in our diets, but this is challenging for cranberries as they are tart and sour by nature. Most people do not find this palatable. So you can either elect an option that is lower in added sugar, or modify your portion size so it does not have a tremendous effect. I hope this helps. Thanks for your question! Noah, RD
Is cranberry sauce good for turkey breast?
But in this recipe, the turkey breast meat is protected by skin and a thick layer of cranberry sauce. The risk of meat drying out during baking is much smaller. Brining or injecting is also good for flavoring the meat inside out.
What goes well with cranberry sauce?
Orange Juice — The flavor of the orange juice complements the cranberry sauce and really brightens the whole dish. Dry Onion Soup Mix — Add this for a savory, seasoned element. Brown Sugar — For an extra touch of sweetness to balance out the seasonings.
What can I substitute for cranberry sauce?
The recipe calls for a cup of water. You can easily substitute that with 1/2 cup of orange juice and 1/2 cup of water if you want to increase the orange note in the sauce (cranberries and oranges play well together!) You can also reduce the sugar if you want. Start out with half as much and add more if you think it needs it.
What sauce goes with a Thanksgiving turkey?
* Cranberry sauce: A tart and sweet sauce, cranberry sauce is a traditional accompaniment to Thanksgiving turkey. It can be made from fresh or canned cranberries, and is often sweetened with sugar or honey. * Horseradish sauce: A spicy and tangy sauce, horseradish sauce is a great way to add some extra flavor to your turkey.