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Home Meal Type Holiday
5
/5
12 minutes

Raspberry Balsamic Cranberry Sauce

Dairy Free Dairy-Free Gluten Free Gluten Free Nut Free Nut Free Vegan Vegan Vegetarian Vegetarian
Jump to Recipe
By: Denise Bustard33 Comments
Posted: 9/24/14 Updated: 8/29/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Fresh raspberries and raspberry balsamic vinegar give a subtle twist on classic cranberry sauce to give us this delicious raspberry balsamic cranberry sauce. 

Close up shot of Raspberry Balsamic Cranberry Sauce in blue bowl

I know, raspberry balsamic cranberry sauce...in September?

Here's the deal: Canadian Thanksgiving is October 13, which is about three weeks away.

In that time, I am going back to work, throwing Kai's first birthday party, and hosting Thanksgiving. So, I thought I would get the Thanksgiving recipes rolling a little sooner than normal!

And if you're American, I am reeeally early. Bookmark this one for November, it's a keeper!

Reasons you'll ♡ this raspberry balsamic cranberry sauce

  • it's super easy to prepare (under 15 minutes of effort!)
  • it's a fun way to switch up your cranberry sauce routine
  • the flavors are absolutely delicious together and it goes great with turkey

Close up shot of Cranberry Sauce on a spoon

Raspberry Balsamic Cranberry Sauce on top of sliced turkey

I take my cranberry sauce verrrry seriously. It has pretty well always been my job {even before I got all 'into' food}, to make the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, whenever we were having a turkey. I totally got off easy when I consider the amount of work it takes to cook the turkey 😉 {By the way: the BEST EVER turkey recipe, hands down, is this Dry Brined Turkey with Garlic Sage Butter}

And about the turkey: I won't even bother unless there is cranberry sauce involved. A big scoop of that sweet, tart, gooey sauce. I like my cranberry sauce with a little bit of turkey, please!

I can't even wrap my brain around the fact that they sell cranberry sauce in a can...people must buy it, because every year, it's back. It takes about 10 minutes to make cranberry sauce. I know, there's the turkey, stuffing, sides, dessert, etc etc etc. But it's the cranberry sauce!! {Tell me I'm not alone in my cranberry sauce passion, here!}

Overhead view of Raspberry Balsamic Cranberry Sauce in blue bowl

 Raspberry Balsamic Cranberry Sauce on top of sliced turkey

OK, stepping down from my crazy lady cranberry sauce rant.

I wanted to make my own cranberry sauce recipe, something a little different. But not too different, I didn't want to mess with a good thing. I almost went chipotle on it, but I have done a lot of chipotle recipes this summer.

Instead I went raspberry on it. Then a little balsamic on it. Both good decisions. This raspberry balsamic cranberry sauce is definitely not the same as the original, but still has the tart, sweet flavors that I love so much. There is a fresh raspberry twang to it, and a teeny little balsamic zing at the end. Twang and zing...am I making up words here?

One Three more things: 1} it still only takes about 10 minutes to make, and 2} it is much prettier than those can-shapped wobbly things, and 3} your taste buds will think they've died and gone to heaven. And I'm done.

Tips & equipment for the perfect cranberry sauce

  • you'll need a medium sized pot; I used my 4L Paderno pot (similar to this one)
  • make this recipe up to 4 days ahead (store in an air tight container in the fridge)
  • Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes? Check out this Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce, these Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower and this Brussels Sprouts Gratin

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

raspberry balsamic cranberry sauce in blue bowl

Raspberry Balsamic Cranberry Sauce

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 2 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 12 mins
Print Rate
Fresh raspberries and raspberry balsamic vinegar give a subtle twist on classic cranberry sauce to give us this delicious raspberry balsamic cranberry sauce.
6

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 ½ cups raspberries (fresh)
  • 3 tsp raspberry balsamic vinegar

Instructions 

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar, and bring to a boil, stirring until all sugar is dissolved.
  • Add the cranberries and raspberries and simmer for 5 or so minutes, until most of cranberries have popped.
  • Stir in the balsamic vinegar and allow to cool before serving.
  • Must be stored in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/6 of batch, Calories: 137kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 87mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 40IU, Vitamin C: 14.5mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 0.3mg
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did You Make This?Don't forget to leave a review below, and tag us on Instagram using @SweetPeasAndSaffron or #sweetpeasandsaffron
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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

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Recipe Rating




  1. Marla Meridith says

    Posted on 11/19/14 at Posted on 11/19/14

    This cranberry sauce sounds amazing!!!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 11/20/14 at Posted on 11/20/14

      Thanks Marla! And thanks for linking it!

      Reply
  2. Trang says

    Posted on 10/7/14 at Posted on 10/7/14

    OMG how have I never made cranberry sauce before? This looks totally yummy! I'm definitely gonna try to make it this Thanksgiving, no more canned cranberry sauce for me! Yay!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 10/8/14 at Posted on 10/8/14

      Hi Trang! YOu should totally try making your own cranberry sauce, it is SO easy!

      Reply
  3. Isadora @ she likes food says

    Posted on 9/28/14 at Posted on 9/28/14

    I have to be honest with you, I've never once made my own cranberry sauce and I always buy the congealed canned one. In a gross way I kinda like it. But yours looks so much better and I love the addition of the raspberries and balsamic! I will have to try to make this for Thanksgiving this year and surprise everyone with something new! Also, I love your blue bowl 🙂

    Reply
  4. Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says

    Posted on 9/26/14 at Posted on 9/26/14

    Oh, you are SO not alone in being a crazy-cranberry-obsessed lady. I'm right there alongside 'ya skipping the turkey and mashed potatoes to stuff my face with cranberry sauce instead. ---This is SUCH a gorgeous twist on classic cranberry sauce---love the addition of rasberries and balsamic and omg the color is so freaking gorgeous! Pinned. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says

    Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

    5 stars
    It's never too early to start with gathering Thanksgiving recipes and ideas. I can't wait to make this sauce. It looks spectacular Denise. You must be feeling sort of anxious about everything that's coming your way and going back to work.

    Reply
  6. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says

    Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

    That cranberry sauce looks incredible! I am all about the cranberry sauce too - the turkey is just the side to me 🙂 I love that you added raspberries - no need for the spoon I would just want to inhale that entire bowl 😉

    Reply
  7. Leah | So, How's It Taste? says

    Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

    Absolutely bookmarking this one! I bet that touch of vinegar and raspberries makes this spectacular! Great pics!

    Reply
  8. Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says

    Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

    Your pictures make me want to eat this sauce with a spoon. Simply gorgeous, Denise! And I totally agree - making your own is so simple and tastes sooo much better than the stuff from a can. Definitely bookmarking this one!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      I'm glad you are on board with the homemade stuff, Kathi! So much better!

      Reply
  9. Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says

    Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

    Oh, I just love this twist! Can I celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving AND American Thanksgiving? I definitely wouldn't mind stuffing myself twice. 🙂

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      I don't see why you can't celebrate both, you can be an honorary Canadian 😉

      Reply
  10. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

    Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

    I would want to eat this by the spoonful!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      Thanks, Bianca! There was a bit of spoon licking, for sure. Taste testing is a very serious job 😉

      Reply
  11. Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says

    Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

    This cranberry sauce looks all kinds of amazing!! I will be for sure be making this for Canadian thanksgiving - it sounds delicious! I'm bringing Canadian thanksgiving to Belgium this year and introducing it to my in laws here!! 🙂 One of my fav. holidays for sure!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      I didn't realize you were in Belgium! Good for you for throwing a Thanksgiving dinner, I lived in Australia for a few years and really missed my turkey dinner that time of year (even though it was their spring).

      Reply
  12. Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says

    Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

    Denise, I love your idea to add raspberries in the cranberry sauce. I've only made cranberry sauce once, and it was too tart for me. I'm pinning this, and I don't care if it's September. 🙂 Good luck with all of your plans!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      Thanks, Andrea! I find that adding more sugar masks the tartness of the cranberries a bit. But I do like the tart flavors, so it could be personal preference 😉

      Reply
  13. Karen - 2Teaspoons says

    Posted on 9/24/14 at Posted on 9/24/14

    I love homemade cranberries too! We just started making them last year and were astounded with how delicious and easy they were. I love adding balsamic vinegar to roasted strawberries and bet it tastes great in these cranberries. I'm totally book marking this recipe for November 🙂

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      Karen, the strawberry-balsamic flavor combination is to die for, isn't it? That's where I got my inspiration for this recipe. Although the balsamic is pretty toned down, but could easily be increased for more balsamic flavors.

      Reply
  14. Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says

    Posted on 9/24/14 at Posted on 9/24/14

    I always find cranberry sauce too tart and never thought of adding anything to sweeten it up. Love the additions of raspberries and balsamic vinegar - adding sweetness and richness to the tartness of the cranberries - great idea! Pinning for November. Thanks, Denise!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      I made a few versions of this and at first it was SO tart, almost bitter. I had to up the sugar to 'mask' the tartness a bit, so it is sweet, and a bit tart. Thanks, Geraldine!

      Reply
  15. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    Posted on 9/24/14 at Posted on 9/24/14

    I love home-made cranberry sauce! I didn't even know that there was raspberry balsamic vinegar, this I have to try! Sounds like this will be perfect for your Thanksgiving meal, Denise! And I'm definitely pinning this one for November! 🙂

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      A friend of mine gave us a really nice bottle of the raspberry-balsamic vinegar, and it is so delicious! We put it on our salads and it has enough flavor that it doesn't need anything else. Thanks, Gayle!

      Reply
  16. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    Posted on 9/24/14 at Posted on 9/24/14

    5 stars
    I'm like you, I like a TON of cranberry sauce with my turkey. It's all about that salty and sweet. Love that you added raspberry. Yum!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      Yay, another cranberry sauce addict 🙂 You're right, that savory sweet is totally why I love cranberry sauce, because I don't really care for it on it's own. Thanks, Natalie!

      Reply
  17. Annie @Maebells says

    Posted on 9/24/14 at Posted on 9/24/14

    5 stars
    I like your cranberry rant! 🙂 Because I happen to agree! I have to admit, my cranberry sauce is always pretty plain and traditional. I love the raspberry and balsamic with this! And the idea of chipotle cranberry sauce is basically blowing my mind!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 9/25/14 at Posted on 9/25/14

      What can I say...I love my cranberry sauce 😉 Maybe I should try to make a chipotle cranberry sauce...it does sound like a good flavor combo!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Denise

Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too! Read more ...

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