Spiced Citrus Cranberry Sauce Just Like Mom’s
I absolutely have to have cranberry sauce at my Thanksgiving table but truth be told it is also quite welcomed throughout the fall and winter, particularly alongside chicken and pork. It keeps for weeks in the refrigerator so I encourage you to consider doubling the recipe; it doesn’t really take any longer to make.
This Spiced Citrus Cranberry Sauce version is my “basic” cranberry sauce, based upon the one my Mom taught me as a child and the one that appeared on our holiday table every year. It takes advantage of the fact that many, if not most, fresh cranberries are packaged in 12-ounce (340 g) bags in the U.S.
Cranberries and the Low FODMAP Diet
You will note that dried cranberries have been tested by Monash and are included on the smartphone app, although fresh and frozen cranberries are not. The MONASH team does, however, discuss fresh cranberries on their site and while the fruit does contain oligo-fructans, they suggest that smaller portions will most likely be tolerated.
Try a couple of tablespoons of cranberry sauce to start and gauge your own tolerance. See Tips for more information. If you are hankering for even more cranberry ideas, check out our Cranberry Quick Bread with Orange recipe.
For another citrus and cranberry combo, try our Low FODMAP Ginger Cranberry Sauce with Tangerines.
Spiced Citrus Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Sauce can be enjoyed on the low FODMAP diet in small portions. And the berries freeze well, so stock up for use throughout the year.
Low FODMAP Serving Size Info: Makes about 2 ¼ cups (630 g); serving size 2 tablespoons
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 1 cup (198 g) sugar
- 1, 12- ounce (340 g) bag fresh cranberries
- 2 broad strips of orange zest, about 1/2-inch (12 mm by 3-inch (7.5 cm) from a washed and dried thick-skinned navel orange
- 1, 3- inch (7.5 cm) cinnamon stick
Preparation:
-
Stir water and sugar together in a non-reactive medium sized saucepan and begin to bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring once or twice.
-
Meanwhile wash, drain and pick over and discard any soft cranberries. Once the sugar is dissolved add the cranberries, orange zest and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn heat down to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the cranberries pop, about 10 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before serving. May be refrigerated in airtight container for up to one week for best texture. It can be stored for an additional week but it might begin to thicken a bit (still quite tasty, though). Bring to room temperature before serving.
Dédé's Quick Recipe Tips Video
Notes:
Tips
- I leave the zest and cinnamon stick in when serving; some folks like to eat the zest, which is now essentially candied, and as a child, getting to suck on the cinnamon stick was a treat. Leaving them in upon storage also increases their flavor release.
- During cranberry season (October through December in the U.S.) buy some extra bags of cranberries and throw them in the freezer. They will last up to a year so you can make sauce and Cranberry Quick Bread all year round.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more. For a more detailed explanation, please read our article Understanding The Nutrition Panel Within Our Recipes.
How far could you make this in advance of Thanksgiving dinner?
I have actually found that this can be made way ahead – at least a week – and it will be fine. You could even try 2 weeks.