Fermented Cranberries in Honey – Best Cranberry Sauce

Bursting with sweet and tart cranberry flavor, fermented cranberries in honey make the perfect cranberry sauce. It only takes a few minutes to start fermenting delicious cranberry sauce that goes perfectly with any holiday meal.

I’ve always loved cranberries. So much that I even buy them in 5 pound bags from Azure Standard all year round! They’re delicious as cranberry sauce, in muffins and breads, desserts, you name it.

When I was first learning how to ferment, cranberries were near the top of my list to make. They did not disappoint! Now I try to always have fermented cranberries on hand around Thanksgiving and Christmas and any other time of year I start to crave them.

Why You’ll Love Fermented Cranberries

Simple ferment – This is the easiest fermented food recipe I know! No complicated measurements or tricky process, so even if you’ve never fermented anything before, this is a perfect recipe to start with.

Healthiest cranberry sauce – There are so many versions of cranberry sauce, but the probiotics in this recipe make it healthier than all the standard ways of making cranberry sauce.

Sweet and tangy – Fermented cranberries have the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavor which pairs wonderfully with holiday dinners.

Various uses – This cranberry sauce is perfect served alongside a holiday meal like regular cranberry sauce, but it can be used in so many other ways too!

Crowd-pleaser – This recipe is always a hit whenever I make it! I’ve found that even people who may not like other ferments like this cranberry sauce and those who aren’t a fan of cranberries in general tend to prefer this recipe to regular cranberry sauce.

Why Are Fermented Cranberries So Healthy?

Fermentation is one of the most amazing food preservation methods! People have been using it for thousands of years to preserve and increase the nutritional value of food.

During the fermentation process, the good bacteria in the ingredients eat the sugar in the recipe causing the good bacteria to multiply. Once your ferment is complete, you will have a food rich in gut-healthy probiotics with less sugar than you started with.

Probiotics are known to improve digestion, fight infection and inflammation, and enhance gut health. Many health issues that affect the gut, such as Crohn’s and colitis, may respond well to increasing intake of probiotics. Probiotics even boost the immune system which is especially important during the fall and winter months!

Cranberries are extremely healthy as well, and the fermentation process only improves the bioavailability of the nutrients they have.

How to Use Fermented Cranberries

There are so many delicious ways to use fermented cranberries! My favorite way to serve them is as traditional cranberry sauce alongside a meal, but there are so many other options as well.

• Topping for yogurt or ice cream
• On toast or pancakes
• In recipes (cooking and baking will destroy the probiotics, but not the beneficial enzymes created during fermentation)
• As a dip with cream cheese or brie
• On turkey sandwiches

How to Store Fermented Cranberries

Once your cranberry sauce is done fermenting, place it in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Keep in mind that it will continue fermenting extremely slowly in the fridge which will make it less sweet as time goes on. Because of this, I prefer to eat it within 4 months of making it.

FAQs

Are fermented cranberries safe? – Yes, fermentation is one of the safest food preservation methods there are, even safer than canning. If something goes wrong, you will see visible signs in the jar. If a ferment looks, smells, and tastes good, it’s safe to eat.

Do I need special fermentation equipment? – Not for this recipe! All you need is a food processor or blender, a mixing bowl, spoon, and a quart mason jar.

Can I use frozen cranberries? – Yes, frozen or fresh cranberries work wonderfully for this recipe. If you use frozen cranberries, make sure to let them thaw first.

Do I have to use raw honey? – Yes, raw honey is the only type that will work for fermentation. Pasteurized honey has been heated to kill all of the bacteria, including the good bacteria, which is needed for this recipe.

Tools You May Need

Food processor or blender

Mixing bowl

Mixing spoon

Quart Mason jar

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Ingredients for Fermented Cranberries

Cranberries – Fresh or frozen. If you use frozen, thaw them first. Since cranberries are typically grown with high levels of pesticides, they’re one of the most important foods to buy organic.

Raw honey – You can use any type of raw honey you prefer.

Spices – For the best flavor, use high quality spices.

How to Make Fermented Cranberries

Start by placing the cranberries and spices in a food processor or blender.

Chop them until they are the consistency you like. I prefer the consistency of chunky relish, but you can leave the cranberries larger or chop them smaller.

Then, pour the cranberries into a bowl and stir in the honey.

Finally, place the mixture in a quart Mason jar (a wide mouth jar is easier to use, though it’s not necessary), packing it down as you go. Once all of the cranberries are in the jar, wipe off any cranberry residue that’s on the sides of the jar.

Screw on the lid and place in a dark location at room temperature, between 65 and 75 degrees. Every day or so, slightly unscrew the lid to release any pressure that has built up through fermentation.

Let the cranberries ferment for 3-5 days or until you like the flavor. The longer you let them ferment, the more tangy the flavor will become. Also, the warmer the temperature is, the faster it will ferment.

Once you are happy with your cranberry sauce, place the jar in the fridge to store. Enjoy with a delicious holiday meal!

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments! Tag me on Instagram @violet_rightathome

More Delicious Cranberry Recipes

Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce (if you’re looking for a more traditional cranberry sauce recipe)

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins with Chocolate Chips

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

Maple Granola with Nuts and Cranberries