Cranberry Sauce With Pinot Noir Recipe (2024)

Recipe from Jenn Louis

Adapted by Jeff Gordinier

Cranberry Sauce With Pinot Noir Recipe (1)

Total Time
20 minutes, plus cooling
Rating
5(455)
Notes
Read community notes

Some of the best wine on the planet comes from Oregon, and with this recipe Jenn Louis, the chef behind Lincoln Restaurant and Sunshine Tavern in Portland, has found a way to weave it into the Thanksgiving feast: as a boon companion to cranberries. “Many deep red wines, or port, can overwhelm the punchy berry,” said Ms. Louis. “Instead, Oregon pinot noir keeps the cranberry sauce bright and clean.” The recipe here doesn’t hold back; it is shot through with allspice, cloves, peppercorns, rosemary, cinnamon, vanilla and honey, in a mix that calls to mind the rusticity and abundance of the Pacific Northwest. —Jeff Gordinier

Featured in: The United States of Thanksgiving

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Ingredients

Yield:2½ cups

  • 10whole allspice berries
  • 10whole cloves
  • 10whole black peppercorns
  • 4cups fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
  • cups Oregon pinot noir
  • 1cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
  • 1cup clover or wildflower honey
  • 1cup fresh orange juice
  • 6strips orange zest, about 1 inch by 3 inches, removed with a vegetable peeler
  • 2(4-inch) sprigs rosemary
  • 1small cinnamon stick
  • 1vanilla pod

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (5 servings)

756 calories; 2 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 166 grams carbohydrates; 19 grams dietary fiber; 107 grams sugars; 13 grams protein; 182 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Cranberry Sauce With Pinot Noir Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Combine allspice, cloves and peppercorns in a spice grinder or coffee grinder and pulse until finely ground.

  2. Step

    2

    In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, wine, brown sugar, honey, orange juice, orange zest, rosemary, cinnamon stick and ground spices.

  3. Step

    3

    With the tip of a paring knife, split vanilla pod lengthwise. Use the back of the knife to scrape seeds from pod. Add seeds and pod to pot.

  4. Step

    4

    Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring often, until cranberries have burst and liquid thickens slightly, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and discard zest, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon stick and vanilla pod. Transfer mixture to a bowl and let cool.

Ratings

5

out of 5

455

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Lisa Middlebrook

For those that don't have whole spices: We ground up 10 peppercorns, it resulted in 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Since the recipe calls for equal parts, we added 1/4 teaspoon of ground clove & 1/4 tsp ground allspice because that's what we had on hand. Used vanilla pod & cinnamon stick. It tastes AMAZING!!!

JRj

Make ahead; flavor improves with time.

Alyson Hardin

If you want the sauce to "gel" more, I think you could perhaps add 2 quarters of an apple (the "whole" quarters seeded and stemmed) and depending on how long you cook still be able to fish them out. The pectin in the apple will make the sauce "gel" without affecting the otherwise intense flavor. Even 1 quarter would work.

Karen L Davis

If it were possible to give something 10 stars, every one at our table this past Christmas would have done so. All agreed this is the best cranberry sauce we've ever tasted by a factor of 10.

Alan C Brownmd

Just came across this. I have been making cranberry orange relish from the old NY Times cookbook (Craig Clairborne - page 496) for at least 40 years. Last year, this recipe caught my eye and I made it. I was disappointed in the flavor that the wine imparted to the dish. I guess I like sweetness. Yesterday I made my old standard and will not be wavering for the rest of my days.

Andrea

This is a terrific cranberry sauce, good for folks who cry out (as my Dad does) "It's too TART!" Definitely moves toward the more chutney-esque flavor with the warmth of the spices and wine (not the texture). If it doesn't gel the way you'd like it too, you can warm it up a tad, toss in a bit of cornstarch or kuzu, and rechill. I used all pre-ground spices, I suspect the difference is negligible.

KW

Pomegranate juice? Apple cider?

Zeva

This is totally incredible! But as some other folks said, too much liquid. Last time I made it I cut back on the liquid a little bit and removed the cranberries when they were done and boiled down the liquid to what amount looked about right (to me). That also concentrated the flavor.

mc

guests raved and raved over this cranberry sauce! it goes amazing with green bean casserole and turkey of course. I halved the sugar because I have no sweet tooth. The rosemary was the strongest herb/spice for me and I really enjoyed it. Would happily make this again. For thicker sauce, just simmer it longer.

Kelli from Oregon

I NEVER liked cranberry sauce growing up. To be fair, I was a 90s kid and my mother made it with cranberries out of a can. I started making this three years ago because I needed something to bring to a potluck Thanksgiving and I’ve always admired Jen Lewis’ recipes. So I gave it a shot! Holy mackerel! I’m a convert. Everyone raves about it (except for my random friend who actually likes canned cranberries because nostalgia is a tempting mistress). She thought it was good, too, though. 10/10

Shannon C.

Truly the best cranberry sauce, ever. I've now made this for four years, and both sides of my family consistently ask every Thanksgiving if I'm making it again. As a standalone, a sandwich condiment, cheesecake topping, etc. You just cannot go wrong.

David

Very sweet, and did not fully gel. It's a saucy sauce. Next time, I'll increase the cranberries.

Christina

This was an exceptional recipe. I doubled it but was a touch short on the wine. If it looks too soupy, don’t worry, it will gel into a lovely sauce that has more movement than a typical cranberry sauce. Will make again next year!

Lizzy

Made this with all the spices, vanilla pod and zest but used about half a cup of dark brown sugar, 3/4 cup orange juice, 1 cup Pinot noir, no honey at all. Quite tart this way but fully agree the spice profile and wine combo is next level. I did cook it down a bit longer and threw in a couple of chunks of apple as recommended for texture. Also a convert to Pinot over a heavier red or port, it adds flavor but doesn’t overwhelm the cran.

New chef

We all agreed this was the best cranberry sauce we’ve ever had. Very rich flavors. So fantastic. I made it 3 days in advance so maybe that’s why I didn’t have the runny issue others have mentioned. I made it exactly as written, using fresh squeezed OJ and fresh grinding the spices. Truly a special treat.

Suze

Holy moly this is amazing. I halved the recipe. I ground the whole spices with a coffee grinder followed by a mortar and pestle. Great jammy consistency after 30 min and sublime flavor. Now I’m sorry I only have enough to fill a 16oz container.

Cammy

This recipe delivers on taste and depth of flavor. A couple of review have notes it's runny and it does not thicken up. The prep recommends 15 minutes of sauteing, but it's more like an hour at a medium simmer. I made mine with fresh cranberries and i let it simmer for as long as it needed to thicken up and it eventually did. The flavor is out of this world--just give it time.

Wow

I have to use this recipe as the base for mulled wine in the future. This tastes amazing and I am just midway thru cooking.

LLB53

Very unhappy outcome with a lot of work and expensive ingredients. The spice was overpowering. I thought it might be too sweet with a cup each of brown sugar and honey. but that was not the problem. It was the spice. Also, as others found, it is too liquid. A slotted spoon was a solution to that problem but it remains to be seen if the concoction gets eaten. I will serve two cranberry sauces on Thanksgiving and we will vote. At least I didn't waste my high-end Oregon Pinot Noir.

vanessa

Edie’s comment about too much liquid is spot-on. Otherwise delicious but will up cranberries and decrease liquid next time!

Kim A

Thank you to everyone who warned about the possibility of not jelling. I used 12 oz of fresh cranberries 1/2 cup of Pinot and 1/4 cup Grand Marnier and 1/4 cup of orange juice. I added one cup brown sugar and left out the honey. The sauce is delicious and setting up beautifully.

Hif

This is a totally wonderful use of cranberries. Great taste, good balance of flavors. However, you knew there had to be one, the sauce did not 'set up' and was quite runny, even after 24 hours in the frig. Solution: Reheat and add one teaspoon of pectin. And I will try again.P.S. I reached out to NYT Cooking about the 'set up' fail. In addition to taking too long to respond, there were no suggestions for a fix. The pectin was my idea, which, to their credit, agent said might work.

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Cranberry Sauce With Pinot Noir Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What wine goes well with cranberry sauce? ›

An off-dry white such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer goes well with turkey and cranberry sauce. Pinot Noir is often considered a classic pairing with traditional turkey and ham dinners.

What takes the bitterness out of cranberry sauce? ›

"Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness)."

How to jazz up cranberry sauce? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

How do you make Bobby Deen cranberry sauce? ›

Bobby Deen's recipe

Cooking is as simple as combining the sugar, orange juice, ½ cup of water, the cinnamon, salt and cranberries in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes - and then let cool before serving.

What not to mix with cranberry? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Warfarin (Coumadin): Cranberry may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take medications to thin the blood such as warfarin. ...
  • Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. ...
  • Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

What is cranberry sauce traditionally served with? ›

Cranberry sauce can be used with a variety of meats, including turkey, pork, chicken, and ham. Cranberry sauce is often eaten in conjunction with turkey for Christmas in the United Kingdom and Canada or Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, and it is only rarely eaten or served in other contexts there.

How do you tame tartness in cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries. Start with a little, then add more gradually.

What thickens cranberry sauce? ›

Sugar helps the thickening process, and while it's nice to try to keep your cranberry sauce from being too sugary sweet, you will need at least some sugar to make it work well (about 1/2 cup sugar per 12-ounce bag of cranberries).

Why do you open cranberry sauce upside down? ›

But why? Ocean Spray says this is to get the cranberry sauce out in one intact piece. “The rounded part of the can that looks like the bottom has an air bubble in it,” Ocean Spray's representative explains. The bubble is there so you can “break the seal the sauce makes with the can.”

Is canned jellied cranberry sauce good for you? ›

Health Benefits

Cranberries are also rich in vitamin C and fiber, as well as the metabolism-boosting mineral manganese. And yes, you reap all these benefits whether the cranberry sauce on your holiday table is homemade or canned, jellied or whole-berry.

What can I do with a jar of cranberry sauce? ›

Mix with cream cheese for a tasty topping on crackers and bagels! Dollop a spoonful on baked sweet potato in place of butter. Top off your yoghurt with a spoonful for extra fruity flavour! Swirl it into your cake batter for delicious marbled muffins.

Do you have to do anything to canned cranberry sauce? ›

It's perfectly fine to serve up cranberry sauce — whole berry or jelled — straight out of the can. But in my experience, heating the canned sauce up takes its flavor to the next level. Plus, it becomes a little more aesthetically pleasing.

What are the two types of cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce can be served either as a gooey liquid or as a solid jelly. The jellied version is solid enough to retain the shape of the container in which it's placed whereas the sauce version is much more fluid. The difference between the fluid sauce and the jelly versions comes down to pectin.

Why is cranberry sauce so expensive? ›

But that's not the case for prepared cranberry sauces, where prices are up. Lochner pointed out that processors set those prices, not growers, and that there are higher input costs unrelated to berries — like “processing the fruit and getting it to market.” Ocean Spray isn't immune either.

How long does homemade cranberry sauce last in a mason jar? ›

Homemade cranberry sauce will last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days. Canned cranberry sauce that has been opened will last up to a week in the fridge.

What does cranberry pair well with? ›

cranberry
  • Thyme (Orange) citrus. grassy. woody. floral.
  • Sage (Common) savory. herbal. menthol.
  • Rosemary. savory. herbal.
  • Mexican Tarragon. citrus. anise.
  • Zaatar Marjoram. woody. floral.
  • Marigold Flower. citrus. grapefruit. grassy.
  • Epazote. oregano. anise. mint. gasoline.
  • Basil (Purple Ruffles) cinnamon. anise. menthol.

What alcohol is good with cranberry juice? ›

14 Best Liquors To Mix With Cranberry Juice
  • Classic vodka. New Africa/Shutterstock. ...
  • Orange Vodka. 5PH/Shutterstock. ...
  • Tequila. Burke/triolo Productions/Getty Images. ...
  • Mezcal. Edgar Xolot/Shutterstock. ...
  • Gin. Love_life/Getty Images. ...
  • Rhubarb gin. Melaniemaya/Getty Images. ...
  • Coconut rum. David Silverman/Getty Images. ...
  • Spiced rum.
Dec 20, 2023

Does cranberry juice taste good with wine? ›

Oh my, it is refreshing and delicious. If you are like me, sometimes I get overly warm in a party setting. This is the co*cktail for that situation. The dry white wine with cranberry juices makes this co*cktail a thirst quencher.

What to serve jellied cranberry sauce on? ›

You open the can, slide the contents onto a plate, and either slice it into neat rounds, or break it into chunks to serve it. I have known people to eat it with a spoon straught out of the jar. Some people arrange round slices of cranberry sauce on lettuce leaves and top them with mandarin oranges from a can.

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