Jalapeño Cranberry Sauce Recipe
This vibrant Jalapeño Cranberry Sauce combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the sweet citrus flavor of orange juice and sugars, balanced by the spicy kick of sliced jalapeños. Perfect as a zesty accompaniment to holiday meals or any dish needing a bright, flavorful sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit & Juice
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice
Sweeteners
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Spices & Peppers
- 1 jalapeño (seeded and sliced)
Instructions
- Rinse Cranberries: Rinse 12 ounces of fresh cranberries thoroughly in a colander, discarding any that are mushy to ensure the freshest berries are used for the sauce.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the rinsed cranberries, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar, mixing them together to prepare for cooking.
- Cook the Mixture: Cover the saucepan with a lid and cook the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a boil and the cranberries begin to pop, which should take about 5 minutes, releasing their juices and infusing the mixture.
- Add Jalapeño: Remove the membrane and seeds from the jalapeño and slice it thinly. Add the jalapeño slices to the hot cranberry mixture, replace the lid, and allow it to sit for 2 minutes, letting the spiciness infuse gently.
- Puree the Sauce: Carefully transfer the cooked mixture to a blender or food processor and puree until the sauce is smooth and silky in texture.
- Serve or Chill: Pour the sauce into a gravy boat or serving dish. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving warm for a pourable consistency, or chill completely in the refrigerator for a thick, gel-like cranberry sauce.
Notes
- Seed and membrane of the jalapeño remove most of the heat; adjust spice level by including or excluding these parts based on your preference.
- Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor and texture; frozen can be used but may alter consistency.
- Orange juice adds a fresh citrus note, but you can substitute with apple juice or water plus orange zest if preferred.
- This sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to one week.
- For a chunkier texture, pulse the blend fewer times or mash cranberries by hand instead of pureeing.
Keywords: jalapeño cranberry sauce, cranberry sauce recipe, spicy cranberry sauce, holiday cranberry sauce, jalapeño sauce
Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/jalapeno-cranberry-sauce-recipe/
