Make-Ahead Cranberry-Fig Sauce

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: about 3 cups (6 to 8 servings)
  • Total: 55 min (includes cooling time)
  • Active: 15 min
This tangy-sweet sauce can be frozen for your next family holiday. Let it thaw the night before the feast, and microwave it quickly before serving just to take the chill off. For an easy variation, use dried plums, dates or apricots instead of figs.
Advertisement

Ingredients

One 12-ounce bag fresh or thawed frozen cranberries

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

One 4-inch strip orange zest

1 stick cinnamon

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup dried figs, quartered

1/2 cup golden raisins

Directions

  1. Set aside 1/2 cup of the cranberries. Bring the remaining cranberries, sugar, vinegar, orange zest, cinnamon stick, ginger, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries soften, about 3 minutes. Add the figs and raisins, raise the heat to bring the mixture to a high simmer, then cook until the cranberries burst and the chutney is saucy and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the reserved 1/2 cup cranberries.
  2. Let the chutney cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag, label and date, and freeze for up to 2 weeks.
  3. Let the chutney thaw in the refrigerator the night before you plan to serve it. To serve, heat it in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments until the chill is gone. If the chutney is too thick, thin it out with a few tablespoons of water.

Cook’s Note

Instead of freezing the chutney, you can serve it warm right away or refrigerate it for up to 3 days, then microwave to take the chill off.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

Christine Forbes F.

This was delicious. I thinly sliced the orange peel after it was cooked and added it back to the chutney. (It was candied in the cooking process).<br />It makes a LOT. I was tempted to double the recipe as I served it with cheese and crackers. <br />Glad I didn’t, there was plenty.<br />Also served it with the turkey at Thanksgiving as an alternative to cranberry sauce.<br />The next day we had it on English muffins and toast.<br />Great recipe!

See All Reviews