Cranberry sauce Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Cranberry sauce

Alternative names	Cranberry jam
Place of origin	United States
Main ingredients	Cranberries, sugar, water

Cranberry sauce or cranberry jelly is a sweet and tangy sauce made from cranberries. It's a popular side dish, especially during holidays like Thanksgiving in North America and Christmas dinner in the United Kingdom. This bright red sauce adds a special flavor to many meals.

Cranberries popping as they cook
A jar of homemade cranberry sauce
Cranberry jelly from a can, sliced

What is Cranberry Sauce?
- Sweet and Tart Taste
A Holiday Tradition
- Why with Turkey?
How Cranberry Sauce is Made
- Simple Steps
- Homemade vs. Canned
History of Cranberry Sauce
- Year-Round Availability
Images for kids
See also

What is Cranberry Sauce?

Cranberry sauce is usually made by cooking fresh or frozen cranberries with sugar and water. Sometimes, other ingredients like orange zest or spices are added for extra flavor. As the cranberries cook, they pop open and release their juices, creating a thick, jam-like sauce.

Sweet and Tart Taste

Cranberries are naturally quite tart, so sugar is important to balance their flavor. The sauce can be sweet, but it still has a bit of that refreshing tartness. This mix of sweet and tart makes it a great partner for rich meats like turkey.

A Holiday Tradition

Cranberry sauce is a classic part of many holiday meals. It's almost always found on the table during Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada. People also enjoy it with their Christmas dinner in the UK and other places.

Why with Turkey?

The tartness of cranberry sauce helps to cut through the richness of turkey and gravy. It cleanses your palate, making each bite of your meal taste fresh. This is why it has become such a traditional pairing.

How Cranberry Sauce is Made

Making cranberry sauce at home is quite simple! You just need cranberries, sugar, and water.

Simple Steps

First, you wash the cranberries. Then, you put them in a pot with sugar and water. You bring the mixture to a boil and then let it simmer. As it cooks, the cranberries will soften and burst. This releases a natural pectin, which helps the sauce thicken as it cools.

Homemade vs. Canned

You can find cranberry sauce in two main forms: homemade and canned. Homemade sauce often has whole or crushed cranberries, giving it a chunkier texture. Canned cranberry sauce, especially the jellied kind, is smooth and often holds the shape of the can when served. Both are delicious and have their fans!

History of Cranberry Sauce

For a long time, cranberry sauce was mostly a seasonal treat. People would make it when fresh cranberries were available in the fall.

Year-Round Availability

Things changed in 1941 when cranberry sauce started being sold in cans all year round. This was a big deal because it meant people could enjoy this tasty sauce whenever they wanted, not just during harvest season. Canning helped make cranberry sauce a staple in many homes.