Super versatile this Easy Cranberry Compote (Sauce) with Rosemary is not only for Christmas! Pair it with cold meats or roasts for savoury fare or try on pancakes or with ice cream for a delightful treat!
With fresh cranberries now widely available in the shops and markets, there really is no excuse not to give this super easy, Easy Cranberry Compote (Sauce) with Rosemary a go. Four ingredients and 20 minutes of your time is all it takes for this fabulous and beyond tasty Christmas side dish! However, bare in mind that this delightful take on cranberry sauce is not only for Christmas, oh no! It is a perfect accompaniment well beyond the festive season and as it happens, it is perfect with not only savoury but also sweet delights!
This recipe is so easy and so delicious that you will think twice before cracking open that shop bought sauce you've got in the cupboard. It is simply beyond compare despite its simplicity. The season in which you can source fresh cranberries in the UK is very short but fret not as this recipe can also be made using frozen fruit which is widely available.
Can I adapt recipe for Easy Cranberry Compote (Sauce) with Rosemary and how?
When making this cranberry compote I decided to go for simplicity and let both cranberries and that umami hint of rosemary shine through.
I've gone for orange juice to cook the cranberries in but feel free to use just water or half water and half juice. You could even use some cranberry juice! If you want things a bit more zesty you might want to add an orange peel or two, or maybe even a splash of port?
The citrusy tang of orange juice and woodiness of rosemary comes through ever so subtly and then it hits you! It really is delicious! Make sure you don't put rosemary in too early though as it can make your compote quite bitter (trust me, I've been there, done that).
Storing and freezing tips!
When it comes to storing, this little festive side dish is perfect if you are preparing things in advance. Once cooked it can be stored, well chilled, in the fridge for up to 14 days.
It also freezes really well in freezer safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. To defrost, simply take it out of the freezer and pop into the fridge overnight and enjoy the following day.
Serving suggestions for Easy Cranberry Compote (Sauce) with Rosemary!
If you are wondering what you can serve this delight with beside the obvious choice of Christmas turkey, I would highly recommend it as accompaniment to any Sunday roast (chicken and duck in particular), cold meats and of course sweet delights! Yes I know, cranberry compote (sauce) might not be associated with desserts in particular but I encourage you to give it a go. I absolutely love it on crepe style pancakes, very simple yet so delicious (you can find my foolproof classic pancakes recipe HERE).
I have used this lovely compote in my delicious, easy and super impressive dessert Pancakes (Crepes) with Mascarpone Cream & Cranberry Compote. Perfect for Pancake Day and Valentine's Day too!
Easy Cranberry Compote (Sauce) with Rosemary
Ingredients
- 250 g fresh or frozen cranberries
- 100 g light brown sugar
- 100 ml orange juice
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Rinse cranberries (only if using fresh) in some cold water and drain.
- Put sugar and orange juice in a medium pan and bring to gentle boil stirring to help sugar dissolve.
- Add cranberries and simmer on low heat (stirring from time to time) for about 12-15 min until the fruit starts to soften and burst but still holds its shape (it will take less time if using frozen fruit). For mushier consistency cook for longer.
- Towards the end of cooking time for last 2-3 minutes add one sprig of rosemary and make sure it is immersed in the fruit.
- At the end of cooking time and once you are happy with the consistency of your compote take the pan off the heat and discard rosemary.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutritional information is approximate, for entire jar of the compote and meant as a guideline only.
- Well chilled, the compote will keep in the fridge for 10-14 days.
- Freeze in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
Nutrition
***This post has been first published in February 2018 and updated in December 2018***
SOME MORE FESTIVE RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
Roasted Brussels sprouts with Balsamic Vinegar & Walnuts
Easy Roasted Butternut Squash Veggie Wellington
Sage and Onion Stuffing (Vegan)
Mushroom and Walnut Pâté (Vegan)
Roasted Brussels sprouts with Parmesan & Garlic
Brussels sprouts, Bacon & Chestnuts Macaroni Cheese
Party Sausages with Honey & Mustard Glaze
Easy Chocolate Gingerbread Biscuits
Melt In Your Mouth Almondy Mince Pies
Dark Chocolate Cranberry Chestnut Cookies
MAKE SURE YOU STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST RECIPES FROM JO’S KITCHEN LARDER
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Mayuri Patel says
I don't mind rosemary in anything, adding to a cranberry compote is a wonderful suggestion. I can imagine how it would taste with pancakes or even topped on cheesecake.
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Mayuri! 🙂 It goes beautifully with pancakes and I do love your cheesecake topping suggestion too!
Julia Frey says
Such a lovely pairing with any meat on your holiday table, isn't it?! I love the addition of rosemary!
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Julia! 🙂 I totally agree 🙂
Angela Roberts says
I"ve recently had a cranberry rosemary compote with beef and it was fantastic. This is pretty and great for holidays.
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Angela! 🙂 It really is such a delicious accompaniment to so many dishes but meats in particular.
Mandy says
Yum! Love cranberries in every way possible and your cranberry compote with rosemary sounds utterly delicious. Can't wait to try this.
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Mandy! 🙂 Cranberries are fantastic and I love that they bring a little bit of colour too!
Choclette says
I make cranberry sauce every year. As you say it's so quick and easy and knocks the socks off any commercial brand. Rosemary sounds like a lovely addition and what a splendid colour you've achieved. Maybe I cook mine for too long as I've never achieved such a gloriously bright colour. Wishing you and yours a very Marry Christmas and I hope you manage to get some relaxation time.
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Choclette and very Merry Christmas to you too! 🙂
Angie | Fiesta Friday says
Good thing I still have fresh cranberries left from Thanksgiving. They last for a long time it seems in the fridge. Btw, is there a December Baking Crumbs Linky? I can't find it!
joskitchenlarder says
Fresh cranberries are definitely quite hardy and last long don't they! December #Baking Crumbs are hosted this month by Jenny over at Apply To Face Blog so feel free to pop in there and link up Angie 🙂 I will be doing December round up and January link up after New Year!
Anna | Once Upon A Food Blog says
I love Cranberries at Christmas time or any time I'm eating poultry. I've never thought of putting them with pancakes but it sounds like a great idea. This compote looks delicious.
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Anna! It really works a treat with pancakes too. It adds a bit of sweet and savoury note to them, you've got to try it! 🙂 x
Monika Dabrowski says
Such a simple yet tasty recipe, the rosemary sounds like an interesting addition to cranberries. I am sure this compote would be great even with ice cream. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare:)
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Monika! Absolutely brilliant with ice cream too! 🙂
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says
Oooh what a good idea, I'd never thought of putting rosemary in Cranberry sauce - bet its amazing!!
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Midge ? It really is good and smells amazing too!
Corina Blum says
This sounds delicious and yes, it's a shame that cranberries tend to get forgotten about after Christmas. I think this would be brilliant on pancakes! Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice x
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Corina! I do love sweet tartness of cranberries against sweet and savoury dishes. When I tried this compote with pancakes I was sold! So good! Good thing is you can get frozen cranberries all year round now so scope for making this little condiment is there no matter what time of year it is! 🙂 x