For American families turkey dinner just wouldn’t be complete without the tart crimson accompaniment of cranberry sauce. The pairing of roast turkey and tangy cranberry sauce is a tradition as old as Thanksgiving itself. But what makes this classic combination so iconic? Is cranberry sauce actually good with turkey, or is it just a relic of holiday meals past?
A Brief History of Cranberries with Turkey
While turkey had been a traditional centerpiece of New England harvest feasts since the Pilgrims’ era, cranberry sauce didn’t join the table until the 19th century. Before sugar became more widely available, fresh cranberries were deemed too sour to eat raw. But they made excellent preserves.
As the American palate changed and people sought more sweet/tart contrast, cranberry sauce became a favored condiment for roasted and grilled meats. Its high acidity provided balance against the richness of turkey, goose, and duck. By the late 1800s, magazines promoted cranberry sauce as an essential part of the Thanksgiving turkey menu.
So while not as historically intertwined as the turkey itself, cranberry sauce has certainly earned its place as a complementary favorite at our holiday feasts.
Flavor Profile Compatibility
There’s no denying the balanced flavor profile of cranberry sauce and turkey are perfectly suited. The intense tartness of the cranberries contrasts the savory umami taste of the tender roasted turkey.
The sweet element of sugar-sweetened sauces also complements and cuts through the turkey’s richness. Likewise, the touch of bitterness and subtle spice in some cranberry sauce recipes serves as an invigorating accent to turkey’s milder flavor.
From a food science perspective, cranberries also contain benzoic acid. This compound is known to increase flavor perception. It literally makes foods taste better, including the turkey!
Textural Contrast
Beyond optimal taste, the textures of cranberry sauce and turkey also complement each other. The smooth, glistening sauce provides nice contrast against the turkey’s dense, shredded meat. A bit of sauce adds welcome moisture, making turkey easier to chew and more palatable.
And the sweet-tart pop of whole cranberry skins in the sauce paired with turkey is a fun alternation of textures. The sauce’s cool temperature next to hot sliced turkey further heightens the contrast.
Color & Visual Appeal
There’s no denying, that splash of vibrant red sauce against golden brown turkey simply looks festive on the holiday table. Cranberry sauce adds visual interest and appeal. That color coordination is etched in our brains as the classic Thanksgiving or Christmas Day palette.
Convenience of Canned Sauce
For many home cooks today, processed canned cranberry sauce is a convenience they don’t want to give up. The jellied sauce can be easily sliced and retains the fluted shape on a plate with little fuss or prep needed. While gourmet cooks may make sauce from scratch, premade cranberry sauce remains a holiday staple.
Potential Downsides of the Pairing
However, some modern chefs have argued that people cling to the cranberry-turkey tradition more out of nostalgia and habit than for flavor reasons. The super-tart jellied sauce overwhelms turkey’s subtle taste for some. And others simply don’t care for cranberry flavor in general.
From a health perspective, commercial cranberry sauce is high in added sugar. The American palate may be shifting away from such intense sweetness at meals. For those watching carbohydrates, the sugar content could be a drawback too.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce Work with Turkey
If you want to enjoy cranberry sauce with your holiday bird, consider these tips:
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Opt for homemade cranberry sauce or chutney with less sugar and more complexity of spice.
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Cook fresh cranberries with orange juice/zest for a sweet-tart-citrus balance.
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Mix dried cranberries, ginger, and sweetener into stuffing instead of just sugar.
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Brush turkey with cranberry glaze instead of serving sauce on the side.
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Garnish plates with fresh orange or grapefruit slices instead of sauce for a tangy accent.
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Combine crushed berries with Greek yogurt for a quick relish.
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Mix fresh chopped cranberries into cornbread or biscuits for a fruity twist.
So is cranberry sauce good with turkey? At its best, it certainly can be! But feel free to riff on the classic by adjusting sweetness, texture, and other ingredients to suit your taste. The essence of cranberry-turkey tradition lives on not in perfection, but in celebrating flavor, food memories, and meaningful company.
Swaps and Substitution Suggestions From Our Readers
- Ole: “Using orange juice instead of water is nice; it adds a little zip without being too much.” “.
- Joe: “I added cherry juice and it was very delicious!”
- Dianna: “I added dried orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. The smell and flavor is one of the BEST!”.
- “I added a lot of blueberries and not as many pecans,” Jan said. Topped off with a bit of cinnamon. Everyone at the table said, “Those were the best cranberries I’ve ever had!”
- Jennifer: “Apple juice, brown sugar, and diced and peeled apples are what I use.” I add the apple when I add the cranberries. Cranberry sauce is less sour than this, but it’s not too sweet either. It is a great balance. “.
- Michelle: “Once the sauce has cooled a bit, I add a few swigs of Grand Marnier or another orange-flavored liquor and mix it in well.” “.
- Bonny: “Decided to play with it a bit. I used orange juice and chopped apple. I chopped up some fresh Italian basil and cooked it with the apples and berries as well. When you add a few shots of Crown Royal to that, it’s beyond great. “.
How Far Ahead Can You Make Cranberry Sauce?
Don’t serve the cranberry sauce until it’s completely cold. This will give it time to set up and work its best. It will have plenty of time to chill if you make it the day before Thanksgiving.This will also save you time on Thanksgiving itself.
You can make this cranberry sauce up to 1 week before serving.
The Perfect Cranberry Sauce For Thanksgiving | Chef Jean-Pierre
FAQ
Does cranberry sauce go on turkey?
Why do people eat cranberry sauce with turkey?
What sauce is traditionally served with turkey?
Can cranberry sauce go with Turkey?
Cranberries are absolutely perfect with turkey. Sort of like lemons and chicken. Something about the flavors, they’re just made for each other. Which is why the sauce is so good to spread over turkey in your leftover turkey sandwiches. The following is a simple and easy recipe for cranberry sauce, one that you can easily dress up with extras.
Is jellied cranberry sauce good for our health?
That infamous block of canned cranberry sauce! Cranberry sauce can be rich in antioxidants and overall can be part of a healthy diet. I encourage you to look at the nutrition label and see how much added sugar is in the container as this will have more of an effect on our health. Ideally we want to minimize the amount of added sugar in our diets, but this is challenging for cranberries as they are tart and sour by nature. Most people do not find this palatable. So you can either elect an option that is lower in added sugar, or modify your portion size so it does not have a tremendous effect. I hope this helps. Thanks for your question! Noah, RD
Is cranberry sauce good for turkey breast?
But in this recipe, the turkey breast meat is protected by skin and a thick layer of cranberry sauce. The risk of meat drying out during baking is much smaller. Brining or injecting is also good for flavoring the meat inside out.
What goes well with cranberry sauce?
Orange Juice — The flavor of the orange juice complements the cranberry sauce and really brightens the whole dish. Dry Onion Soup Mix — Add this for a savory, seasoned element. Brown Sugar — For an extra touch of sweetness to balance out the seasonings.
What can I substitute for cranberry sauce?
The recipe calls for a cup of water. You can easily substitute that with 1/2 cup of orange juice and 1/2 cup of water if you want to increase the orange note in the sauce (cranberries and oranges play well together!) You can also reduce the sugar if you want. Start out with half as much and add more if you think it needs it.
What sauce goes with a Thanksgiving turkey?
* Cranberry sauce: A tart and sweet sauce, cranberry sauce is a traditional accompaniment to Thanksgiving turkey. It can be made from fresh or canned cranberries, and is often sweetened with sugar or honey. * Horseradish sauce: A spicy and tangy sauce, horseradish sauce is a great way to add some extra flavor to your turkey.