Homemade Orange-Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Recipe By: Dina | @createaplatewithdina
🍒 Fun Fact: Cranberries are naturally rich in pectin, which helps homemade cranberry sauce thicken as it cools. No gelatin or cornstarch required!
🎥 WATCH The Video
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Sauce
2 bags (12 oz each) fresh cranberries
1 cup water
Zest and juice of 1 large orange
¾ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
Step By Step
1️⃣ Cranberry Sauce: Bring Everything Together
Add the cranberries, water, orange zest, orange juice, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to a large saucepan. Stir gently to combine.
2️⃣ Cranberry Sauce: Let Those Cranberries Pop!
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. As the cranberries heat up, they'll begin to burst, releasing their natural juices and turning that beautiful deep ruby red. Once the berries start popping, reduce the heat to low.
3️⃣ Cranberry Sauce: Simmer Until Beautifully Jammy
Using the back of a wooden spoon or spatula, gently mash some of the cranberries. Let the sauce simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until it begins to thicken. Leave a few cranberries whole for extra texture.
4️⃣ Cranberry Sauce: Cool & Let the Magic Happen
Remove the saucepan from the heat. As the cranberry sauce cools, it will naturally thicken into a glossy, spoonable holiday condiment. Serve at room temperature or chilled alongside your Thanksgiving turkey.
Classic Homemade Thanksgiving Gravy
Recipe By: Adrianna | Detailed Recipes
🥣 Fun Fact: The secret to silky gravy is a roux, a simple mixture of fat and flour cooked together. It thickens broth or pan drippings into a smooth, rich sauce.
🎥 WATCH The Video
Ingredients
For the Gravy
2 tbsp salted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup turkey drippings, chicken broth, beef broth, or your preferred cooking liquid
Salt, to taste if needed
Double or triple the recipe depending on how much gravy your Thanksgiving crowd requires.
Step By Step
1️⃣ Cranberry Sauce: Bring Everything Together
Place a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the salted butter and allow it to melt completely without browning.
2️⃣ Cranberry Sauce: Let Those Cranberries Pop!
Add the flour to the melted butter. Whisk continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and begins to bubble gently around the edges. Continue whisking for approximately 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
3️⃣ Cranberry Sauce: Simmer Until Beautifully Jammy
Gradually pour in a small amount of broth or turkey drippings, whisking constantly. Once smooth, continue adding the remaining liquid a little at a time. This slow addition helps keep your gravy beautifully silky and lump-free.
4️⃣ Cranberry Sauce: Cool & Let the Magic Happen
Increase the heat to medium. As the gravy begins bubbling gently around the edges, continue whisking until it reaches your preferred consistency. Want it a little thicker? Let it simmer briefly. Prefer something more pourable? Add another splash of broth.
5️⃣ Gravy: Start with the Butter
Remove the gravy from the heat. Taste before adding salt, especially if you're using seasoned broth or salted pan drippings. Remember, gravy continues to thicken slightly as it cools. Serve warm in a gravy boat and prepare for everyone to pour it over absolutely everything.
