Spiced Pickled Cranberries Recipe (2024)

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This recipe for Spiced Pickled Cranberries can be water bath canned or made for more immediate serving. Serve it alongside your Turkey for a unique twist on Cranberry Sauce. This is also a great recipe for a novice canner.

Truth…I did not really like cranberries growing up; I know that’s a bold statement this time of the year, but there it is. Cranberries were probably ruined for me by the fluoride-ish cranberry sauce and whole cranberries that come out of the cans in the grocery store.

That being said, I am more than willing to try ‘alternative’ uses for cranberries and push their tart boundaries a bit. For instance, I do love the Cranberry Curd that I used to fill these Chocolate Tarts as well as this Winter Spiced Cranberry Conserve. So, when I was trying to figure out a new way to serve cranberries at our Thanksgiving table this year, I decided to go a different route and the result is pretty darn tasty if I do say so myself!

Spiced Pickled Cranberries Recipe (1)

I leaned on a Pickled Cranberries recipe by canning maven, Marisa McClellan, altering the recipe to have more depth with the balsamic vinegar, as well as a hint of vanilla and cardamom.

How to Serve Pickled Cranberries

I plan to serve these spiced pickled cranberries in a bowl alongside our Thanksgiving Turkey; they are completely different from the sweeter Cranberry Conserve which we will also enjoy at the table. And, after tasting these lovelies and their cranberry balsamic brine, I am already planning to mix some of the brine with some olive oil to toss our salad; I’m thinking greens with some pickled cranberries, sliced apples, toasted pumpkin seeds, and this cranberry balsamic dressing!

Spiced Pickled Cranberries Recipe (2)

I can absolutely see draining these pickled cranberries and tucking them in a ‘day after thanksgiving’ turkey sandwich and Marisa recommends using some of the brine mixed sparkling water for a ‘shrub’…that might get made too!

Supplies I Use for Canning Pickled Cranberries:

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While canning isn’t hard, it does require a few pieces of equipment to make the task much easier. These are the tools and equipment I used to make these Pickled Cranberries:

That Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving is my bible. Even if I think I could make the recipe in my sleep, I double-check myself against the Ball Book…that whole botulism thing. If you are new to canning, it should be your very first purchase.My cookbook library inventory recently expanded with the addition of The All New Ball Book Of Canning And Preserving: Over 350 of the Best Canned, Jammed, Pickled, and PreservedRecipes!

Spiced Pickled Cranberries Recipe (3)

Spiced Pickled Cranberries Recipe

Lynn

This perfectly spiced pickled cranberries recipe includes balsamic vinegar for depth, vanilla, cinnamon and cardamom for the lovely winter spice.

4.67 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Water Bath CanningTime 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Canning, Preserving, Jam + Jellies

Cuisine American

Servings 5 half-pints

Calories 92 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 12- ounce bag of fresh cranberries
  • 3/4 cups balsamic vinegar
  • 3/4 cups white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon sticks broken
  • 1 teaspoon allspice berries
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 5 cardamom pods

Instructions

  • If you will be water bath canning these pickled cranberries, then prepare canner, jars, and lids. See The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving for guidance.

  • Thoroughly wash and pick through your cranberries

  • Combine both kinds of vinegar and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes to dissolve the sugar

  • If water bath canning, remove jars from boiling water and distribute cranberries among the 5 jars. If you will not be canning these for long-term use, you can put the cranberries in a glass bowl that has a lid.

  • Cut the vanilla bean into 5 equal pieces and place one in each jar, or the single glass bowl. Divide the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick pieces, allspice berries, cloves, and vanilla bean and add to the jars.

  • Remove the vinegar mixture from the stove and distribute the brine among the 5 jars or pour into your single glass bowl.

  • If canning, leave 1/2" headspace. If you need a wee bit more liquid to get to the 1/2", add white vinegar to make up the difference.

  • If you will not be canning the pickled cranberries, then let the cranberries cool to room temperature and then refrigerate. They will be ready to eat in 3 days.

  • If you will be canning the cranberries, wipe your rims with white vinegar, apply the lids and rims place in the canner, making sure the jars are completely covered with water by 2". Add additional boiling water as needed to raise the water level.

  • Cover the canner and bring water to a gentle boil. Process for 10 minutes, adjusting time as necessary for elevation. (see notes)

  • Remove jars and place upright on a rack to allow to cool completely for 24 hours.

  • Refrigerate any jars that did not seal

Video

Notes

This recipe assumes some knowledge of proper and safe canning techniques. Please see the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving for guidance.

Nutrition

Serving: 2ouncesCalories: 92kcalCarbohydrates: 22gSodium: 6mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19g

Keyword cranberries, pickled, recipe, spiced

Well, what did you think?Please rate this recipe here! It helps other readers and also helps to support our site.

So, what do you think? Will you give these Pickled Cranberries a whirl? I know that they are not the ‘traditional’ cranberries of past, but the depth of flavor of these cranberries is really delightful.

Spiced Pickled Cranberries Recipe (4)

If you want to refer back to this Pickled Cranberries recipe in the future, bookmark this page or pin the following image.

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Spiced Pickled Cranberries Recipe (5)
Spiced Pickled Cranberries Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to spice up canned cranberries? ›

Boosting your cranberry sauce can be as simple as bringing the heat. A freshly minced serrano pepper, a dash or two of your favorite hot sauce can do wonders for your sauce. Or add a sprinkle of mustard powder, garam masala, or vadouvan to wake up your palate.

How many cups of cranberries are in a bag of Ocean Spray cranberries? ›

First sort out any soft berries and stems. Rinse berries in cold water, drain well and use as the recipe directs. There are three cups (750 mL) of cranberries in a 340 g bag of Ocean Spray® Fresh Cranberries.

Can you melt down jellied cranberry sauce? ›

A can of cranberry sauce typically contains cranberries, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, and water, so when you plop it into a pot on low heat, it is going to melt down into an almost jam-like consistency, but that's not all that is going to change.

How to serve store-bought cranberry sauce? ›

The traditional way to serve canned cranberry sauce is to slice the cylinder into rounds and arrange them on a platter. Go a step further by adding a garnish like sugared rosemary or candied ginger. Or, cook the canned sauce with orange juice and zest for a citrusy take on a holiday standby.

What flavors compliment cranberries? ›

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

How do you take the bitterness out of cranberries? ›

One of the best foils for bitter flavors are acidic ingredients, like citrus juices or vinegars. Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar.

Is drinking Ocean Spray cranberry juice Healthy? ›

There are various health benefits of cranberry juice, including preventing infections, delaying or reducing the severity of chronic disease, and preventing age-related oxidative damage.

What happens if you don't refrigerate cranberry juice after opening? ›

Once a bottle or container of cranberry juice has been opened, it should be stored in the refrigerator as this will limit the growth of bacteria and help keep the juice from going bad.

What is the difference between whole cranberry sauce and jelly cranberry sauce? ›

The major variation you're likely to come across is "whole berry" versus "jellied." The only difference between them is that the jellied sauce is cooked until the berries have completely broken down. They both slide out of the can as a wobbly red cylinder.

Why is jellied cranberry sauce canned 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.”

Should you chill canned cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce is best served at room temperature or slightly chilled.

How to jazz up cranberry sauce? ›

Stir-in one (or more) of the following add-ins to one can of whole or jellied cranberry sauce:
  1. 2 Tbsp. of orange juice plus 1 tsp. of finely grated orange peel.
  2. ½ can of mandarin oranges.
  3. ½ cup pineapple.
  4. ½ tsp. cinnamon.
  5. ½ cup chopped dried apricots.
  6. ½ cup toasted pecans.
  7. 2 Tbsp. Zinfandel Wine.
Aug 11, 2022

Can you eat unrefrigerated cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce will last for two hours at room temperature. 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. We hear you: After a long day of cooking, hosting, and celebrating, something's bound to get overlooked.

Can you freeze store bought cranberry sauce? ›

Unlike its homemade counterpart, canned cranberry sauce doesn't freeze or defrost very well. The jellied texture changes after freezing, becoming more watery. Even the leading authority on canned cranberry sauce, Ocean Spray, agrees that freezing canned cranberry sauce is not recommended.

What can I mix with cranberry juice to make it taste better? ›

I sweetened my juice with honey which adds a sweet floral touch to the beverage. I also use a couple of freshly squeezed oranges which gives the juice a nice hint of citrus flavor. I'm sure apple juice or apple cider would work well too. I think moving forward I'm going to call this drink cranade (like lemonade…).

How do you sweeten and dehydrate cranberries? ›

Instructions
  1. Wash and dry cranberries. ...
  2. Line your dehydrator rack with parchment paper. ...
  3. Toss the cranberries with the oil and then add the sugar and toss again to coat the cranberries with sugar. ...
  4. Dump the cranberries on to the parchment lined tray and make sure they are in a single layer.
Feb 26, 2023

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