Alton Brown Cranberry Sauce Recipe

This Alton Brown Cranberry Sauce Recipe is tart and spiced, which uses fresh cranberries and five-spice powder. It’s a great choice for holiday parties, ready in about 7 hours and 5 minutes including chilling time.

Alton Brown Cranberry Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup) light agave syrup
• 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup) honey
• 2 fluid ounces (1/4 cup) 100% cranberry juice (not cocktail)
• 2 fluid ounces (1/4 cup) freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 4 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• Butter lettuce leaves, for serving
• Sour cream, for serving
• Candied ginger, thinly sliced, for serving

How To Make Alton Brown Cranberry Sauce Recipe

1. Start the syrup base: In a 3-quart saucepan, combine agave syrup, honey, cranberry juice, orange juice, and five-spice powder. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Cook the cranberries: Add cranberries and raise the heat to medium. Bring back to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often, until most cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened.
3. Cool and mold: Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Spoon the sauce into a silicone mold or cleaned 14-ounce can. Let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Chill to set: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for best results.
5. Serve: Unmold onto butter lettuce leaves and top with sour cream and candied ginger just before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use frozen cranberries?
  Yes, just add them straight from the freezer—no need to thaw first.
• What does five-spice add?
  It gives a warm, aromatic flavor that balances the tartness of the cranberries.
• How to mold cranberry sauce like canned:
  Pour into a clean, empty 14-oz can and chill. Pop it out just like the classic version.
• Do I need a mold to serve this?
  No, you can also spoon it into a bowl or use it as a topping without molding.
• Can I make it ahead of time?
  Definitely—it’s best made the day before to give it time to set.

What To Serve With Cranberry Sauce

This sweet and tangy sauce pairs perfectly with holiday favorites like:

• Roasted turkey
• Baked ham
• Pork loin or chops
• Stuffing or dressing
• Brie or goat cheese on crostini

How To Store Cranberry Sauce

Refrigerate:
Keep covered in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Freeze:
Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Cranberry Sauce Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~100 per 1/4 cup
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Sugars: 22g
• Fat: 0g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 5mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I substitute maple syrup for agave?
Yes, it will add a slightly richer, deeper flavor.

What if my sauce doesn’t set?
Make sure not to overcook. The natural pectin in cranberries helps it gel if cooked no more than 15 minutes.

Is this sauce very sweet?
It’s balanced—sweetened with honey and agave, but the cranberry juice and fresh berries keep it tart.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Just use a larger pot and extend cooking slightly if needed.

Try More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Pecan Pie Recipe
• Alton Brown Hummus Recipe
• Alton Brown Deviled Eggs Recipe