Cranberry Chutney | The Modern Proper (2024)

June 10, 2024

Simmered with apples and dried figs, spiced with cinnamon and jalapeño, this cranberry chutney is a mouth-awakening Thanksgiving dinner superstar, a leftover reviver and a darn tasteful hostess gift.

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Cranberry Chutney | The Modern Proper (1)

Cranberry Sauce, Hold the Wiggle.

The sharp tartness of cranberry is a welcome flavor on Thanksgiving Day, and classic cranberry sauce is a MUST for our beloved day-after Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches. Can you even make a turkey sandwich without cranberry sauce? BUT, we prefer the real deal—the canned jelly stuff just isn’t our jam. We want vibrant, whole cranberries, shining like garnets and simmered with apples, dried figs and warm winter spices. Grandma can enjoy jiggly slices of cranberry jelly—just pass that gloriously chunky, tart and spicy homemade cranberry sauce down this way, please.

How to Make Fresh Cranberry Chutney:

In the fall, it should be pretty easy to find fresh cranberries—if you live in a part of the country where they grow (like we are lucky to, here in the Pacific Northwest!) you can often find them at farmers markets, even. Making cranberry chutney in a saucepan is both fast and really, really easy. Start by simmering equal parts apple cider vinegar and brown sugar. When the sugar dissolves, add:

  • Fresh cranberries.
  • More fruit! Dried figs and apples. The chunky fruit—dried figs and apples—that simmer with the cranberries are why we call this recipe a cranberry chutney instead of cranberry sauce. However, it really could be called either.
  • Spices! Cloves and cinnamon sticks plant our cranberry chutney recipe firmly in festive food territory.
  • Jalapeño. We adore the subtle warmth that a single jalapeño pepper gives to this cranberry sauce. It may sound a little unorthodox, but cranberry and jalapeño make a great pair. Use a sharp knife and gloves for this step!

As everything simmers, the natural pectin in the cranberries will thicken the sauce. Watch for splatter as the cranberries begin to pop as they soften, and be sure to stir the cranberries as the sauce cooks so that the bottom doesn’t burn.

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Cranberry Chutney | The Modern Proper (4)

How Long Does Cranberry Chutney Keep + Tips For Serving

Whether you’re hosting or guest-ing, your Thanksgiving prep starts right here! This easy cranberry sauce recipe makes a tart side dish that keeps for 10-14 days in the fridge. You can mix this up and stash it in the back of the fridge long before you’ve even picked up your turkey. It also makes a nice gift for the holiday season. We like to make it on the day we gift it, along with a little note about how long it’ll last, as well as how to serve cranberry chutney. In addition to being the best condiment for turkey sandwiches since the invention of mayonnaise, this cranberry apple chutney makes a festive centerpiece for a cheese plate—we especially love to serve it with aged cheddar and tangy goat cheese.

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The Most Festive Cheese Pairing of All.

Whether you slather it on your turkey sandwiches on the day after Thanksgiving, or serve it as part of a cheery holiday cheese platter, we think this cranberry chutney is worth the ten minutes it takes to make it. We hope you agree! Snap a photo of your fresh cranberry sauce, and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

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Cranberry Chutney | The Modern Proper (2024)

FAQs

How to thicken cranberry chutney? ›

Try reducing the sauce down even further so more of the liquid cooks off and the mixture thickens. If that doesn't work, add a thickener like gelatin, pectin or a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch whisked into juice or water). Let the sauce cool before refrigerating to completely set.

How long will homemade cranberry chutney last in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Cranberry Chutney Keep + Tips For Serving. Whether you're hosting or guest-ing, your Thanksgiving prep starts right here! This easy cranberry sauce recipe makes a tart side dish that keeps for 10-14 days in the fridge.

What is cranberry chutney made of? ›

A cranberry chutney is a combination of whole cranberries simmered with fruit such as apples or pears, spices, dried fruit and vinegar. It's similar to a whole berry cranberry sauce but with more complexity.

How do you make store bought cranberry sauce better? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

What if my chutney is not thick enough? ›

The most common method is to simply cook it for longer, until the excess water evaporates and the chutney thickens naturally. This can take a while, so be patient and stir the chutney frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add gelatin and/or a teaspoon of Asian cornstarch. Cool till dissolved.

Why is my homemade chutney runny? ›

If the chutney is too runny then in our opinion the best solution is to put it into a pan and bring it back to the boil, then simmer rapidly until it is the required thickness. If you can do this in a couple of deep frying pans (not aluminium) then it should help to speed up the process.

Can you freeze homemade cranberry chutney? ›

Make-Ahead/Freezing Instructions: The chutney will keep for 10 days in a covered container in the refrigerator, or can be frozen for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

How long should you keep home made chutney before eating? ›

Allow to Mature

Chutneys are best eaten after a long maturing period so we recommend storing them in a cool, dry dark place and leaving them for no less than 8 weeks before opening them.

Can homemade cranberry sauce be left out overnight? ›

What to Do if You Left Out Cranberry Sauce Overnight. We hear you: After a full day cooking and hosting and (hopefully) enjoying Thanksgiving, some things are bound to fall by the wayside. But if you leave cranberry sauce out over night, whether it is homemade or store-bought, please throw it away.

Why is it called chutney? ›

The word chutney derives from Hindi चटनी chaṭnī, deriving from चाटना chāṭnā 'to lick' or 'to eat with appetite'. In India, chutney refers to fresh and pickled preparations indiscriminately; however, several Indian languages use the word for fresh preparations only.

Why is chutney healthy? ›

Stimulates Healthy Blood Flow

Chutney made from curry leaves is rife with health benefits that will leave you wanting more. Not only is curry leaves chutney delicious, but it is also great for your health! Curry leaves are rich in iron and folic acid, which are both essential for a healthy cardiovascular system.

What the heck is chutney? ›

Chutney is a condiment or spread made from chopped fruit cooked with vinegar, spices and sometimes sugar, that can be served fresh or preserved. It's often associated with Indian cuisine.

What takes the bitterness out of cranberry sauce? ›

"Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness)."

How do you cut the tartness out of cranberry sauce? ›

In lieu of granulated sugar, try genuine maple syrup. It's already liquid so it will stir right into the cranberry sauce, lending it a gentle sweetness. If you don't have maple syrup (pancake syrup WILL NOT do, y'all), try honey or a more neutral sweetener like agave syrup, brown rice syrup, or even simple syrup.

Why is cranberry sauce so expensive? ›

Costs are up

That includes cranberry sauce, whose price is up about 18% compared to last year because cranberry crops are smaller this year, sparking a supply squeeze.

What can I use to thicken chutney? ›

If your chutney is too runny or your recipe calls for a thickening agent, always use cornflour mixed with a little of the vinegar. Cornflour is gluten free. Always to this at the very end because thickening your chutney like this will make catch and burn easily.

What to do if green chutney is too watery? ›

There are three ways to thicken the chutney:
  1. Add coriander powder to the chutney and blend it.
  2. Add dry mango powder to the chutney and mix it well.
  3. Add dry coconut powder to the chutney and blend it.
Nov 12, 2015

What makes cranberries thicken? ›

When the cranberries are heated, the berries begin to break down and pop open. The pectin is then released and reacts with the sugar and juices to form long polymers and thicken the sauce. This process creates the cranberry sauces and jellies which are so familiar at holiday dinners.

Can I use cornstarch to thicken my cranberry sauce? ›

In a small cup make a slurry with cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water. Whisk cornstarch mixture into cranberry sauce and cook, whisking, until sauce thickens. Taste and add more sugar, if necessary.

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