This easy and delicious Barefoot Contessa Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce is a perfect side dish for any holiday meal. With a balance of sweet and tangy flavours, it’s quick to prepare and can be made ahead of time. Using simple ingredients like apples and citrus, this recipe is both flexible and refreshing!
Ingredients Needed
- 1 x 340g (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries, cleaned
- 350g sugar
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
- Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
- Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 240ml water
How To Make Make-ahead Cranberry Sauce
- Cook Cranberries: In a saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and 240ml of water over low heat. Cook for about 5 minutes until the skins pop open.
- Add Apple and Zests: Stir in the chopped apple, grated orange zest, orange juice, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the heat, allow to cool, then refrigerate. Serve chilled for a refreshing, zesty cranberry sauce!

Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh Cranberries: For the best flavour and texture, opt for fresh cranberries. homeiswheretheboatis.net
- Balance Sweetness: Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the sugar to your preference, ensuring the right balance between sweet and tart.garincookingrecipes.com
- Incorporate Apples: Adding chopped Granny Smith apples introduces a pleasant crunch and natural pectin, aiding in thickening the sauce.
- Enhance with Citrus: Grated orange and lemon zest, along with their juices, infuse the sauce with refreshing, aromatic flavours.
- Make Ahead: Preparing the sauce a day or two before serving allows the flavours to meld and develop, enhancing the overall taste.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Transfer leftover cranberry sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Freeze: After cooling, place leftover cranberry sauce in freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top. It can be frozen for up to three months. To thaw, place the container in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 cup (60g)
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Potassium: 50mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 26g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 24g
- Protein: 0g
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Barefoot Contessa Make-ahead Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Description
This easy and delicious Barefoot Contessa Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce is a perfect side dish for any holiday meal. With a balance of sweet and tangy flavours, it’s quick to prepare and can be made ahead of time. Using simple ingredients like apples and citrus, this recipe is both flexible and refreshing!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook Cranberries: In a saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and 240ml of water over low heat. Cook for about 5 minutes until the skins pop open.
- Add Apple and Zests: Stir in the chopped apple, grated orange zest, orange juice, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the heat, allow to cool, then refrigerate. Serve chilled for a refreshing, zesty cranberry sauce!
Notes
- Use Fresh Cranberries: For the best flavour and texture, opt for fresh cranberries. homeiswheretheboatis.net
- Balance Sweetness: Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the sugar to your preference, ensuring the right balance between sweet and tart.garincookingrecipes.com
- Incorporate Apples: Adding chopped Granny Smith apples introduces a pleasant crunch and natural pectin, aiding in thickening the sauce.
- Enhance with Citrus: Grated orange and lemon zest, along with their juices, infuse the sauce with refreshing, aromatic flavours.
- Make Ahead: Preparing the sauce a day or two before serving allows the flavours to meld and develop, enhancing the overall taste.