Cranberry sauce is a beloved Thanksgiving tradition but how is it typically enjoyed? Is it relished on its own or primarily served as a topping for turkey? Let’s delve into the versatile world of cranberry sauce and explore its various roles on the Thanksgiving table.
Cranberry Sauce: A Brief History
Cranberries, native to North America, have been a staple in indigenous cuisine for centuries. They were incorporated into various dishes, including pemmican, a high-energy food made from dried meat and berries. During the colonial era, cranberries were used in sauces and relishes, gradually becoming a Thanksgiving tradition.
Is Cranberry Sauce Eaten on Its Own?
Absolutely! Cranberry sauce is a delicious and refreshing condiment that can be enjoyed on its own. Its tartness and sweetness make it a perfect palate cleanser between savory dishes. It can be served as a side dish, spread on bread or crackers, or even used as a topping for yogurt or ice cream.
Cranberry Sauce as a Turkey Topping
While cranberry sauce is undoubtedly delicious on its own, its most iconic pairing is with turkey. The tartness of the cranberry sauce complements the richness of the turkey, creating a delightful balance of flavors. The vibrant red color also adds a festive touch to the Thanksgiving table.
Different Ways to Enjoy Cranberry Sauce with Turkey
- Classic Cranberry Sauce: This traditional version is made with cranberries, sugar, and water, simmered until thickened. It can be served warm or cold alongside the turkey.
- Spiced Cranberry Sauce: Adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves enhances the flavor profile of the sauce, creating a warm and comforting accompaniment to the turkey.
- Chutney-Style Cranberry Sauce: This version incorporates chopped onions, peppers, and ginger, adding a savory and tangy twist to the classic cranberry sauce.
- Relish-Style Cranberry Sauce: This chunky sauce includes chopped cranberries, apples, and nuts, providing a textural contrast to the smooth turkey.
Whether enjoyed on its own or as a topping for turkey, cranberry sauce is a versatile and delicious condiment that adds a touch of sweetness and tartness to the Thanksgiving table. Its history, versatility, and flavor combinations make it a beloved tradition that continues to be enjoyed by generations. So, the next time you’re at a Thanksgiving gathering, don’t hesitate to indulge in the delightful flavors of cranberry sauce, whether on its own or with a slice of turkey.
Salty and Sweet: Turkey and Cranberry Perfection
Because turkey is frequently bland, salty, and dry, it goes well with sweet and moist foods. Cranberries are not overly sweet. Their tartness pairs well with the more bland-tasting turkey.
Our palates would be bored by singular tastes. Rather, we naturally love meals that bring together the perfect balance of flavors and textures in a single mouthful.
The sweetness of chocolate and the saltiness of peanut butter are two more excellent examples of this.
Bread and jam as well. When you combine sweet and salty flavors or pair dry food with its liquid counterpart, you’ve achieved culinary bliss!
The Historical Roots of Turkey and Cranberry on Thanksgiving
Cranberries are native to the Cape Cod, New England region of the United States. Eastern Massachusetts cookbooks from centuries past are filled with recipes using these small, tart red berries. It wouldn’t be unusual to see cranberry sauce, jams, and preserves being used by the region’s earliest settlers. Of course, we don’t know exactly what was served at the first Thanksgiving meal, but it is safe to speculate that cranberries had a place at the table around the same time period. Although cranberry sauce wouldn’t have used sugar to sweeten down the tartness, colonists may have used honey or maple syrup in its place.
In addition, wild and farm-raised turkeys are frequently found in North America’s colder climates. Compared to other meats, they tend to dry out more quickly when baked, roasted, or smoked. Combining turkey with gravy or mashed potatoes with cranberry sauce makes for a tasty combination that facilitates easier digestion.
Traditional Cranberry Sauce VS Canned Cranberry Sauce
Does cranberry sauce go with Turkey?
Enter cranberry sauce. But cranberry sauce on its own can be a little one-note, especially the canned stuff that leans more sweet than tart. Woody, earthy rosemary is already a cornerstone of Thanksgiving cooking—it goes with turkey like peanut butter goes with jelly.
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 a good side dish for Thanksgiving?
It’s an excellent choice when you want to spice up your dinner table at the end of a long workday or on weekends with something other than chicken, beef, or turkey. Cranberry sauce is a classic Thanksgiving side dish, and it’s also a very versatile one. You can serve it with all kinds of meats—or even vegetables.
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.