Marianne Martinez
Cooking cranberries in a crock pot is a great way to make a delicious, festive cranberry sauce. Cranberry sauce is a classic side dish that is often overlooked, with many opting for the store-bought version. However, making it from scratch is much easier than you might think, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal preparation. Using a crock pot is especially convenient if you're short on space on your stovetop, and it frees up time for you to socialise with guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cranberries, brown sugar, white sugar, orange juice, water, cinnamon, orange zest, maple syrup, salt |
| Cranberry Amount | 12 ounces |
| Sugar Amount | 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar |
| Water Amount | 1/2 cup |
| Orange Juice Amount | 1/2 cup |
| Cinnamon Amount | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Cranberry Prep | Rinse under cold water, remove any soft or wrinkled cranberries |
| Cooking Time | 3-4 hours on high |
| Stirring | Every hour |
| Potato Masher | Used to crush the cranberries after cooking |
| Additional Time | 45 minutes on high with the lid off |
| Serving | Let cool before transferring to a serving dish |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Preparing cranberries
Cranberries can be purchased fresh, frozen or canned. Fresh cranberries are typically available from October through to early December. If you buy a bag of fresh cranberries, be sure to check for and remove any shrivelled, soft or discoloured cranberries, as well as any remaining stems. Fresh cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two months if sealed properly. For a longer shelf life, store them in the freezer without washing them first. The plumpest and firmest cranberries are best for cooking.
Before cooking cranberries, rinse them under cold water. If you are boiling cranberries whole, be sure to remove them from the heat when they pop – when the outer skin expands until it bursts. Otherwise, they will become soft and mushy. For a quicker method, use a food processor to chop the cranberries.
To make cranberry sauce in a crock pot, combine the sugar (white, brown, or a mixture of both), orange juice, water, orange zest, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon in the crock pot and stir well. Then, add the cranberries and stir again to ensure they are evenly coated. Turn the crock pot to a high setting and leave to cook for three hours, stirring the mixture every hour. After three hours, use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the cranberries. Leave the crock pot uncovered and continue to heat for another 45 minutes to thicken the sauce and intensify the flavours. Finally, let the sauce cool before transferring it to a serving dish.
How Collisions Can Damage Your Oil Pan
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Combining ingredients
Combining the ingredients is a straightforward process. First, combine the sugars (brown and white), orange juice, water, and cinnamon in your crock pot. You can also add orange zest, maple syrup, and salt to taste. Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are well mixed.
Next, add 12 ounces of cranberries to the mixture. Make sure the cranberries are fresh and evenly coated with the sweet and tangy mixture. This will help to infuse the cranberries with flavour. You can also add other small fruits such as blueberries, currants, and raisins, or even pecans to the mixture for a festive garnish.
Before adding the cranberries, be sure to rinse them under cold water and remove any soft or wrinkled ones. Fresh cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two months if properly sealed, or in the freezer for up to a year without washing beforehand.
Meatloaf Loaf Pan Size Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking the sauce
First, combine the brown and white sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon in your crock pot. Give the mixture a good stir to make sure all the ingredients are well mixed. You can also add other spices like nutmeg and allspice, or even a cinnamon stick for extra warmth.
Next, add the cranberries to the mixture. Make sure they are evenly coated with the sweet and tangy blend. This will help to infuse the cranberries with plenty of flavour. Turn on your crock pot to a high setting and let it cook for about three hours. Remember to stir the cranberries every hour to distribute the heat and flavours evenly.
After three hours on high, use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the cranberries. Continue to heat on high with the lid off for an additional forty-five minutes. This step will help to thicken the sauce and intensify its flavours. Finally, let your cranberry sauce cool before transferring it to a serving dish.
Your cranberry sauce is now ready to be served warm and enjoyed! This sauce can be made a couple of days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you'd like to save it for a special occasion, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Meatloaf: Pan-Frying for a Quick, Delicious Dinner
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Thickening the sauce
After mashing the cranberries, continue to heat the mixture on high with the lid off for an additional 45 minutes. This step will help to thicken the sauce and intensify its flavour. The sauce is ready when it has thickened and most of the cranberries have popped.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use a food processor to chop the cranberries before adding them to the crock pot. Alternatively, you can blend the sauce after it has finished cooking to create a smoother consistency.
You can also add a thickening agent to the sauce. Cornstarch is a good option for this. Simply mix equal parts cornstarch and water, then stir this mixture into the sauce while it is cooking. Allow the sauce to thicken, then serve.
Finally, let the sauce cool before transferring it to a serving dish. This cranberry sauce can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making it a convenient option for holiday meals.
Glass Pans for Bread Baking: Good or Bad?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing cranberry sauce
Freezing cranberry sauce is a great way to preserve it for future use. It can be frozen for up to 3 months and still taste great. To freeze cranberry sauce, let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container or a freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it. You can also freeze cranberry sauce in smaller portions by using ice cube trays or Souper Cubes. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag.
When you're ready to use your frozen cranberry sauce, simply take out the desired portion and let it thaw in the refrigerator. Small squares will thaw in about 10 minutes at room temperature, while larger portions may take up to 30 minutes. You can add thawed cranberry sauce to oatmeal, yogurt, or toast, or use it in baking.
It's important to note that the quality of cranberry sauce can deteriorate over time, even when frozen. So, it's best to use it within the recommended time frames. Additionally, always check the sauce before consuming it. If it has developed an odd odour, flavour, or appearance, or if mould is present, it should be discarded.
Baking Pound Cake: Cake Pan Possibilities
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Combine orange juice, water, sugar, and cinnamon in the crock pot. Stir in cranberries and cook on high for 3-4 hours. Remove the lid and stir well. Continue cooking on high until the sauce has thickened.
You will need cranberries, orange juice, water, sugar, and cinnamon. You can also add orange zest, maple syrup, nutmeg, allspice, or other small fruits such as blueberries or raisins.
Cranberry sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Yes, you can freeze cranberry sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To use, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and give it a good stir before serving.
