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    Home » Recipes » Sauces, Marinades, and Butters

    Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

    Published: Aug 24, 2021 · Modified: Jun 1, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 6 Comments

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    Cranberry Balsamic Sauce is easy to make, and this sweet and tangy sauce is amazing on beef, turkey or even chicken! This balsamic cranberry sauce recipe can liven up any dinner night, there's no need to wait for the holidays.

    When I was younger Christmas was always my favorite holiday. And, then I got married and had my son, and I decided that Thanksgiving was now my favorite holiday.

    Once you get married and have children, Christmas  somehow seems to become less about you and more about expectations that are heaped on you and your family. However, Thanksgiving dinner is more relaxed and low key.

    Yes, I still have to get up early and cook, and make a menu plan for the holiday. But, I secretly love doing it. Spending time in the kitchen is one of my favorite things about holidays. I get to feed my family yummy food that I made.

    Lately, I've just been craving cranberry sauce. While I know that it's not Thanksgiving, I don't really care. This cranberry sauce is so good that you can eat it  any time of the year, so why not indulge in it now?

    Now this sauce is going to be good on just about anything. It's great on turkey or chicken, and super yummy with beef. No matter how you use it, I promise you won't be sorry!

    Cranberry Balsamic Sauce in a glass jar with rosemary. The jar is placed on a white plate with a small wooden spoon.

    How do I store Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

    Cranberry Balsamic Sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately ten days. If you are not able to use all of your Cranberry Balsamic Sauce within this timeframe, it is recommended that you freeze any unused portions for future use.

    Allowing the sauce to set and then freezing it will help retain its berry, vinegar, and sugar content when you thaw it later on.

    Should I serve this Balsamic Vinegar Cranberry Sauce hot or cold

    This sauce should be served cold and in a chilled bowl or saucer. You can serve the Cranberry Balsamic Sauce on your favorite salad or as a vegetable dip, salmon topper, or sandwich spread.

    How can I enhance the flavors of this Cranberry Balsamic Sauce recipe

    In order to enhance the flavor of this delicious relish, you may wish to add a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground pepper to it upon serving.

    Can I freeze leftover cranberry balsamic sauce 

    Yes. Leftover Cranberry Balsamic Sauce can be frozen for later use. Allow the sauce to set and before placing it back in its original container or a freezer bag for storage in your home freezer, as this will help retain its berry, vinegar, and sugar content when you freeze it.

    What should I serve this sauce with

    This sauce is perfect for adding some holiday flair to your favorite turkey or ham sandwich. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for vegetables and fruits, cranberries, oysters, and any other seafood you prefer. I like to serve it over a beef roast during the year, because who says that we need to wait for thanksgiving to enjoy this tasty relish?

    How do I prepare this sauce

    Cranberry Balsamic Sauce is simple to prepare. All you need to do is combine cranberries, balsamic vinegar, and sugar in a bowl or medium sized saucepan.

    Stir the ingredients together and place it over medium heat for approximately five minutes or until the berries are very soft and beginning to break down.

    Stir the contents continually to ensure that the sugar is dissolved and the berries are evenly distributed throughout your sauce.

    After five minutes, remove your cranberry balsamic relish from heat and cool it for several minutes before transferring it to a serving bowl or saucer while you enjoy this delicious dish!

    Two slices of roast beef served with cranberry sauce, whole cranberries and rosemary on a white. A fork on the side and a jar of cranberry sauce in the background.

    Ingredients for Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

    • 1 cup frozen cranberries
    • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
    • 1⁄4 cup water

    How to make Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

    1. Combine all ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine
    2. Place over medium high heat and cook until the sauce has turned to a simmer.
    3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries break down and sauce thickens. If smaller cranberry pieces are desired, gently break cranberries apart with a wooden spoon during the cooking period.
    4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Serve over beef roast.

    This Cranberry Balsamic Sauce is perfect for adding some holiday flair to your favorite turkey or ham sandwich. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for vegetables and fruits, cranberries, oysters, and any other seafood you prefer.

    I like to serve it over a beef roast during the year because who says that we need to wait for Thanksgiving to enjoy this tasty relish? The only thing left now is deciding whether you want it hot or cold!

    I love to pull this Cranberry Balsamic Sauce recipe when I am in the mood for a comforting dish but something that is a little unusual. You know how we can get stuck in food ruts? Well that's where this delicious Balsamic Cranberry Sauce comes in handy. It can liven up dinner and help you get out of your dinner rut.

    Looking for a delicious recipe to serve this cranberry sauce recipe with?  Try my roast beef for an easy and delicious meal that is both savory and sweet.  Simply combine the cranberry balsamic sauce recipe with roast beef and enjoy!

    More Delicious Recipes:

    • The Best Oven Roasted Turkey
    • Chicken and Stuffing Bake
    • Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins 
    Overhead photo of Cranberry Balsamic Sauce in a glass jar with rosemary. A small wooden spoon on top of the jar is filled sauce. The jar is placed on a round white plate.

    Cranberry Balsamic Sauce - Video

    YouTube video
    Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

    Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

    Karin and Ken
    Cranberry Balsamic Sauce is easy to make, and this sweet and tangy sauce is amazing on beef, turkey or even chicken! This balsamic cranberry sauce recipe can liven up any dinner night, there's no need to wait for the holidays.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 207 kcal

    Equipment

    • saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup frozen cranberries
    • 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
    • ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette
    • ¼ cup water
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Get out and measure all of your ingredients.
    • In a medium saucepan add cranberries, water, sugar and balsamic vinaigrette. Stir until incorporated and bring to a boil.
    • Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries break down and sauce thickens. If smaller cranberry pieces are desired, gently break cranberries apart with a wooden spoon during the cooking period.
    • Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Makes: 1 cup of sauce
    • Serve over beef roast, chicken or whatever your heart desires. Enjoy every bite!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 138mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword balsamic sauce, cranberry balsamic, cranberry balsamic sauce
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Overhead photo of Cranberry Balsamic Sauce in a glass jar with rosemary. The jar is placed on a white plate with a small wooden spoon.

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    Comments

    1. Cathy says

      May 19, 2025 at 6:34 pm

      5 stars
      It was a little sweet for us but a squeeze of lemon and some zest it was perfect

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        May 19, 2025 at 7:46 pm

        Sounds like a great addition! I’m going to try that myself! Thank you for taking the time to comment! All the best. Karin

    2. Doris says

      April 27, 2023 at 3:56 pm

      5 stars
      This was easier than I thought and is so good on just about every meat I have tried it on. I freeze it in batches and eat it all year round now. Thanks for this. Sweet goodness.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        May 06, 2023 at 8:07 am

        We love this recipe too! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. Thank you for letting me know. All the best. Karin

    3. Sandra says

      December 12, 2022 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      This sauce is so good. Tried it with your roast beef and loved it. Next we’re trying it with chicken. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe. It’s a keeper ❤️

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        December 12, 2022 at 5:08 pm

        We love this sauce too and it is as amazing on chicken as it is on roast beef. Enjoy! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. You made my day. All the best. Karin

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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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