Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce With Port and Orange
This classic, sweet and tangy cranberry sauce tastes complex but is quite easy to make. The slow cooker method saves in-demand stovetop space for other Thanksgiving dishes, and the sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for at least one week.
- Total:
- Serves: 8 persons
Ingredients
- 24ounces fresh or frozen, thawed cranberries (about 5 cups)
- 1 ½cups packed light brown sugar
- ½cup ruby or tawny port
- Finely grated zest of 1 orange
- Kosher salt
- Slow Cooker Method
- Stovetop Method
Instructions
Step 1
Put the cranberries into a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker. Scoop out about 3/4 cup of the berries and finely chop. Set aside. Stir the sugar, port and half the orange zest into the slow cooker. Season with a generous pinch of salt. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour and 30 minutes.Step 2
Stir the cranberry sauce well and set the lid back on the slow cooker so there is a 1- to 2-inch gap, to allow for evaporation. Cook on high for another 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring at least twice, taking care around the edges, until many of the berries have popped and the sauce has thickened and is syrupy. Stir in the reserved chopped cranberries and the remaining orange zest. Spoon the cranberry sauce into a serving bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.Step 3
Put the cranberries into a medium saucepan. Scoop out about 3/4 cup of the berries and finely chop. Set aside. Add the sugar, port and half the orange zest into the pan, and stir. Season with a generous pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until many of the berries have popped and the sauce has thickened and is jammy and syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the reserved chopped cranberries and the remaining orange zest. Spoon into a serving bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.