Is Cranberry Sauce Good with Turkey? A Tasty Holiday Tradition

Cranberry sauce is a staple condiment served alongside turkey, especially during the holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Its sweet and tangy flavor acts as the perfect complement to the savory and herbaceous taste of roasted turkey. While this combination may seem unusual at first glance, there are some clear reasons why cranberry sauce and turkey have become tied together as a classic holiday pairing.

A Brief History of Cranberry Sauce and Turkey

While cranberries have been used and enjoyed by Native Americans for centuries, it wasn’t until the 1620s that European settlers in Massachusetts learned about cranberry preparation from them. Cranberries grew abundantly in the area and soon became a Thanksgiving staple.

In 1703 a popular cookbook entitled “The Compleat Housewife” by Eliza Smith was published in Williamsburg Virginia. This cookbook contained a recipe for cranberry tarts as well as one of the first published recipes for roast turkey.

So while the exact origins are murky it’s clear that by the early 18th century roast turkey and cranberry sauce were both fixtures of American holiday meals, even if they weren’t yet paired together. As time went on, the tart flavor of cranberry sauce came to be appreciated as an ideal complement to roast turkey. Nowadays, cranberry sauce and turkey are considered an iconic and inseparable holiday duo.

Why Cranberry Sauce Works So Well with Turkey

There are some clear reasons why cranberry sauce pairs so perfectly with roast turkey

• Flavor contrast – The tart and sweet cranberry sauce balances the savory, salty flavor of the turkey. This contrast makes both components “pop” and taste better.

• Texture contrast – The smooth, spreadable cranberry sauce contrasts nicely with the tender and juicy slices of turkey meat.

• Color contrast – The vibrant red of cranberry sauce is visually striking alongside slices of golden brown turkey meat.

• Palate cleanser – The clean, tart taste of the cranberry sauce acts as a palate cleanser between bites of turkey, preparing your taste buds for the next tasty bite.

• Moisture – Cranberry sauce adds some moisture and juice to a turkey dinner, preventing the turkey meat from drying out.

So the flavor, texture, appearance, and moisture benefits explain why cranberry sauce works so seamlessly when served with roast turkey dinner. The components just complement each other perfectly.

Popular Ways to Enjoy Cranberry Sauce with Turkey

There are a few classic ways that cranberry sauce can be served alongside turkey:

• Spread it directly on sliced turkey meat.

• Serve it in a bowl on the side to be spooned onto your plate and enjoyed with bites of turkey.

• Add it to stuffing or use it as a stuffing ingredient. The tang offsets the richness.

• Make little “cranberry sauce sandwiches” with turkey slices and sauce between bread or biscuits.

• Stir it into turkey gravy for a flavor and color boost.

• Use it as a turkey sandwich spread alongside mayo, mustard, or cream cheese.

• Dollop on top of your leftover turkey casseroles, pot pies, soups, etc.

• Thicken it up and use it as a glaze over roasted turkey near the end of cooking.

As you can see, cranberry sauce is very versatile and can be used in many ways to enhance leftover turkey too. Get creative with it!

How to Make Easy Cranberry Sauce from Scratch

While it only takes about 10 minutes of hands-on time, making cranberry sauce from scratch is worth the effort. Here is an easy recipe:

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar (can use 3/4 cup honey for lower sugar)
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Zest of 1 orange

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved, 2-3 minutes.

2. Add the cranberries, cinnamon, and orange zest. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until thickened and cranberries have all popped.

3. Remove from heat and let cool completely before serving or refrigerating.

Making your own allows you to control the ingredients and texture – plus it’s so easy!

Why You Should Add Cranberry Sauce to Your Holiday Table

If you’ve never paired cranberry sauce with your savory roasted turkey before, it’s definitely worth giving this classic combination a taste. The contrasting flavors and textures work so well together. Cranberry sauce also adds a dose of nutrition from antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber.

Beyond great taste and nutrition, serving cranberry sauce is a fun way to carry on a time-honored holiday tradition that likely dates back hundreds of years. So the next time Thanksgiving or Christmas rolls around, be sure to pick up a bag of fresh cranberries and whip up a batch of homemade cranberry sauce to complement your turkey dinner. Your taste buds will thank you!