Gordon Ramsay Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Name: Gordon Ramsay Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 Tablespoons Caster Sugar; 1 Star Anise; ½ Cup Apples (Peeled and Chopped); 2 Cardamom; 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon Powder; 1 Cup Cranberries; ½ Cup Orange Juice; 1 Teaspoon Orange Zest; Mint Leaves; 1 Teaspoon Salt; 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Recipe Pin

Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving classic, but why wait until Thanksgiving when you can easily make it at home anytime? This recipe is a must-have on every holiday table, and it brings out a burst of sweet, tart flavor that is difficult to ignore.

With its bright red color and texture, it makes a wonderful addition to special occasions. I am such a big fan of this recipe that I make it all the time, especially for Thanksgiving. It is so easy to prepare that I got it perfectly right on the very first attempt.

If you ask me why, then it is solely because there is nothing that can go wrong with it. I know it is always easier to get a jar of sauce from your nearby supermarket. However, this recipe is a must-try because it is healthier, saves a few bucks, and, of course, can be made with love.

So, if you are fond of galloping cranberry sauce on the plate, switch to this fresh, homemade version of Gordon Ramsay’s cranberry sauce. This sauce requires only two pieces of equipment: cranberries and a few other kitchen staples. It can also be made ahead of time.

Now, you don’t have any other excuse not to make it, so let’s get going. Get your notes and apron ready because you do not want to miss out on this recipe.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Stainless Saucepan: Cookware coated with aluminum can give off a metal-like taste, so I prefer using a stainless steel saucepan, which does not interfere with the flavors.
Spatula: To stir everything up, I use a spatula for this recipe.
Serving bowl: I like to serve the final product in a fancy serving bowl.

Gordon Ramsay Cranberry Sauce Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: This recipe will have you make 6 servings. You can increase or decrease the quantity of ingredients according to your need.

3 Tablespoons Caster Sugar: If you don’t have these, then you can also opt for regular sugar. But keep in mind that the color and taste may differ slightly.
1 Star Anise
½ Cup Apples (Peeled and Chopped): I recommend using Fuji or Honey Crisp for a sweeter taste and Granny Smith or Braeburn for a tangy profile.
½ Cup Ruby Port Wine: A good alternative for this would be dry German resoling, which also adds acidity to the tart flavor of the cranberry sauce.
2 Cardamom
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon Powder
1 Cup Cranberries: For best results, use frozen or fresh cranberries and not dried ones.
½ Cup Orange Juice: This creates the perfect base for making the Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce; however, if you are not a fan of orange juice, then switch it with pomegranate juice.
1 Teaspoon Orange Zest
Mint Leaves
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
5 Minutes	15 minutes	20 Minutes

How To Make Gordon Ramsay Cranberry Sauce At Home

Step 1

Start by adding star anise and cardamom pods to a pan on medium heat. Then, add caster sugar and let it heat until the sugar starts crystallizing.

Step 2

Once the sugar starts to brown, add the chopped apples and cranberries to it. Toss them well to coat them with the caramel.

Step 3

Let this all cook, and cover the pan with a lid for about 10-15 mins.

Step 4

Once they look nicely caramelized, add ruby port wine and orange juice to the pan and let it heat for 10 minutes. Wine amplifies the thickness and texture of the dish. However, I avoid adding too much wine, which can make the Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce runny or bland.

Step 5

Finally, make the finishing garnishing with some salt, pepper, and cinnamon powder.

Step 6

Cook it for a few more minutes, and your Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce is ready to be served.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

A pro tip is to always wash the cranberries well and remove the bad ones. These bad ones have ruined the flavor of my cranberry sauce once, so I am always cautious while washing them. Also, rotten cranberries risk the storage process, so they are a big no for this recipe.
Another tip about cranberries is to use ripe cranberries for best results. Ripe cranberries are opaque, sound hollow when dropped, and have a slight give when squeezed.
I avoid adding too many liquids to the pan because the cranberry releases water while cooking. If I add too much water, the cranberry can get slightly runny.
Remember, Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce thickens as it cools, so I restrict myself from thickening it up to the desired consistency in the pan. I put off the stove just when it is about to get ready and let the cooling process thicken it up naturally.
The cranberries can shrivel up quickly so I keep a close eye on the pan. Cook this at low heat, and no zoning out is allowed.
To avoid last-minute panic, I prefer to cook it ahead. Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce tastes best after it has cooled down. This allows the flavors to settle in, so you definitely need to give this sauce its own sweet time to rest.

FAQs About Gordon Ramsay Cranberry Sauce

How do I thicken my Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce?

To thicken your Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce, you can use a cornstarch slurry and bring it to a boil until the desired consistency is reached. Combine the cornstarch and water in a bowl, mixing well so that there are no lumps. Then, add the mixture to the pan and stir well. Some other trusted thickening agents you can use are gelatin or pectin.

Why is my Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce so runny?

Your Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce can turn out to be runny if you use too much liquid. Cranberries release water, which gets added to the pan. Also, if you use too little sugar, your sauce can turn out to be runny. This is because sugar thickens up after cooking, which also thickens the sauce. To fix it, you can use cornstarch slurry or other thickening agents like pectin.

What are some good mix-in options to enhance the flavor of the sauce?

Pecans or orange zest are good mix-in options for this Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce. To elevate the sweetness, you can also add raisins, blueberries, or currants. To ramp up the flavors, you can experiment with different spices like nutmeg or allspice.

Can I make this sauce without alcohol?

Yes, you can make this Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce without alcohol. To do this, you need to add orange or cherry juice instead of alcohol. This adds sweetness to the dish and keeps the flavor going.

What should I do if my sauce is too sweet?

To balance the sweetness of the cranberry sauce, you can add lemon juice or a pinch of vinegar. This helps balance the tartness and fix the sweetness of the sauce.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce is a healthy option to enjoy. It is low in calories and rich in vitamins, which can be added to our diets for health benefits.

To give you a deeper idea, here is a nutritional chart for Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce.

Calories	400 Kcal
carbohydrates	79 g
Protein	2 g
Fat	1 g
Saturated Fat	0.1 g
Polyunsaturated fat	0.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat	0.2 g
Sodium	2337 mg
Potassium	613 mg
Fiber	8 g
Sugar	58 g
Vitamin A	370 IU
Vitamin C	83 mg
Calcium	91 mg
Iron	2 mg

Apart from having amazing health benefits, this Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce is also naturally dairy-free and gluten-free. Hence, people who follow these diets can have this without any restriction.

How to Make Gordon Ramsay Cranberry Sauce

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan: To make Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce vegan-style, I only use four products: cranberries, orange juice, sugar, and water. I let this all boil and thicken, after which it is ready to be served.
Vegetarian: Since the wine-making process makes this Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce recipe non-vegetarian, I like to follow the same steps as I would for a vegan recipe while making it vegetarian-style.
Low-Carb Sugar-Free: When my friends are worried about calories, I make this low-carb sugar-free. I use cranberries, water, and allulose or erythritol as sweeteners for this recipe. If you can’t find this, search for other low-keto sugar sweeteners and add them instead.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Countertop: I do not like to risk my Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce, so I keep it out in the open for only 2 hours. After this, it goes straight into the fridge for further storage.
Refrigeration: I have stored my Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce in the fridge for at least a week. The only hack is to keep it in an airtight jar to keep it fresh. Also, let the sauce cool off completely before you pack it in a container to put it in the fridge.
Freezing: To freeze my sauce, I use zip-lock bags and mason jars. However, be cautious while getting mason jars since not all homes are freezer-friendly. I lock them tightly to prevent any moisture from seeping in and store them for at least 3 months. Another thing to note is that after thawing, the sauce may get a bit watery over time due to the water content in the cranberries, so it is best to finish it as soon as possible.

Reheating

Stovetop: I prefer using the stovetop method for reheating since this gives me more control. I start by adding the leftovers to the pan and adding a splash of water, which depends on the leftovers untidy and how runny I want it to be. I stir it until it is nice and hot enough, ideally taking a minute or so. Again this depends on the quantity as well.
Microwave: When I am in a hurry, I take a microwave-friendly dish and add the leftover cranberry sauce to it. If necessary, I add a tablespoon of water and heat it for 20-30 seconds on medium heat until it is hot enough to my liking.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce is more than a Thanksgiving meal, and there are so many food options to serve it with. I like to enjoy this with biscuits or Cornbread. The sweet and textured cranberry sauce tastes so delicious. If you want to take the sweetness to the next level, then have this with Pudding or Cheesecake.

I also enjoy Gordon Ramsay cranberry sauce with tarts, Pretzels, and Waffles. Try them out; they make any snack idea so filling.

Printable Version

More Gordon Ramsay Recipes That You Can Try

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Conclusion

Try out this classic Thanksgiving recipe with the bare minimum of ingredients. It is one of the best sauces that goes well with both sweet and savory food.

It is easy to make, store, and freeze, and it is enjoyed by people of all ages. So, make sure you give this a shot. Also, do let me know in the comment section how it turned out because there is no way to mess this up if you follow everything I said.