This quick and easy recipe for homemade chipotle cranberry sauce is a simple twist on a traditional favorite. It starts with fresh whole cranberries and orange juice, along with minced chipotle in adobo. Fantastic!
This homemade chipotle cranberry sauce is a must-try for Thanksgiving and special occasions. Whether you’re cooking a whole turkey or just the breast, this sauce will take your holiday meal from good to amazing! Sweet and tart with a hint of spice and earthiness, this chipotle cranberry sauce will enhance the flavor of poultry, pork roasts, and venison. It’s also great on pan-seared duck breasts and smoked cream cheese!
Why this recipe works
We have all been in a situation where we are either hosting Thanksgiving dinner or contributing in some way. One of our favorite items to share is the chipotle cranberry sauce, especially alongside our twice-baked potato casserole. It’s easy to make, and most supermarkets carry fresh cranberries and chipotle in adobo. You’ll be amazed at how fast the cooking process goes. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a flavorful sauce to share with family and friends.
Using chipotle peppers in cranberry sauce
Chipotle in adobo is spicy, so it’s okay to reduce the amount called for in the recipe. Use one tablespoon instead of two, or omit it entirely for the little ones. We have made two batches before, one containing chipotle and the other without. That way, everyone can enjoy this Thanksgiving staple.
Ingredients
- Chipotle in adobo sauce, minced (or pureed if preferred)
- 16 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (3 whole oranges)
- Orange zest
- Dark brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
Can I make cranberry sauce a day in advance?
Yes! It’s recommended to make it the day before and chill it in the refrigerator. This allows the sauce to cool, thicken, and the flavors to meld perfectly.
How to make chipotle cranberry sauce
- Wash cranberries and remove over-ripe, discolored, or shriveled from the batch.
- Zest one of the oranges before juicing them. To yield 1 cup of juice, you will need roughly 3 medium-sized oranges.
- Combine ingredients: Add cranberries to a heavy medium saucepan with minced chipotle chilis, orange zest, juice, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Simmer sauce for 12-15 minutes over medium heat until the cranberries start to burst. If you’d like a thicker chutney-like sauce, let it simmer until all of the cranberries have pop open.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir through.
- Let the sauce cool for 1 1/2-2 hours in the refrigerator before serving.
Serving sauce and storing leftovers
- Serve cranberry sauce on the side. That way, your guests can spoon their desired amount.
- Store leftover chipotle cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop.
More Recipes
If you liked this Homemade Chipotle Cranberry Sauce, we recommend giving these recipes a try!
Homemade Chipotle Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons minced chipotle in adobo (adjust amount to your liking)
- 16 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice 3 whole oranges
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Wash cranberries and remove over-ripe or old ones from the batch.
- Zest one of the oranges before juicing them. You will need roughly 3 medium-sized oranges to yield 1 cup of juice.
- Add cranberries to a medium saucepan with minced chipotle in adobo, orange zest, juice, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Simmer sauce for 12-15 minutes over medium heat until the cranberries start to burst. If you want it thicker, let it simmer until all of the cranberries have burst open.
- Remove the pan from the heat, and stir through. Let the sauce cool for 1 1/2-2 hours in the refrigerator before serving.
- We recommend serving this sauce on the side. That way, your guests can spoon up their desired amount.
- Store leftover chipotle cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
