Go Back
+ servings
Earl Grey Cranberry Sauce
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Earl Grey Cranberry Sauce with Dates

Cranberry sauce has to be the easiest Thanksgiving dish to make. You can leave it relatively simple or you can tap into your creative side by adding spices, orange juice, or anything else you see fit. Also, cranberry sauce can be made well in advance and actually thickens in the fridge.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time14 minutes
Total Time24 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Nimisha Ambati

Ingredients

  • 1-2 tsp. Earl Grey tea leaves
  • 1/3 cup boiling hot water for tea leaves
  • 3/4 cup cranberries 1 bag, divided
  • 3/4 cup whole dates
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1-2 tablespoons unrefined sugar optional

Instructions

  • Add tea leaves in the boiling hot water in a mug. Cover and steep for 15-20 minutes, depending on how much intensity you want. I like it intense.
  • Meanwhile, seed and chop the dates into quarters (tinier chunks if you don’t like the texture of dates). Wash cranberries under cool, running water. Add dates, cardamom, water, and only 1/2 cup of the cranberries to the saucepan.
    Starting the Cranberry Sauce
  • Stir mixture together and turn heat on high until it reaches a rolling boil. Turn heat to medium-low and let simmer for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on the sauce: If too much water has evaporated, add a couple of tablespoons of water, and cover. The sauce should be thick and about half of the water evaporated. Simmer for a few more minutes if it’s too liquidy. Stir occasionally.
    Simmering down the Cranberries
  • After the tea is done steeping, strain it and pour the tea water into the sauce pan. Add in the remaining cranberries. Stir well and bring to a rolling boil again. Then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes. Taste for sweetness and add desired amount of sugar if needed. Stir and let sugar dissolve, about 1-2 minutes.
    Straining the Tea into the Sauce
  • Transfer the sauce to a glass container or jar and refrigerate for at least an hour. The sauce will thicken and flavors will develop over time.
    Earl Grey Cranberry Sauce
  • This sauce actually gets better with a night in the refrigerator and it will keep your guests guessing on the mysterious Earl Grey flavor. It’s subtle and seductive. Use it as a side dish, dessert topping, or any other way you prefer.

Nutrition

Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.3mg