Pickled Cranberries

Add a tangy twist to your holiday table with these irresistible pickled cranberries—a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and subtly spiced flavors. This quick and easy recipe combines fresh cranberries with a bold brine of apple cider vinegar, warm spices like cinnamon and star anise, and a bright hint of orange zest. Ready in just 15 minutes of hands-on time, these jewel-toned pickles make a stunning condiment for cheese boards, roasted meats, or even salads. With their vibrant flavor and festive appeal, these pickled cranberries are a culinary standout that’s perfect for both entertaining and everyday meals. Plus, they keep beautifully in the fridge for up to two weeks, making them a make-ahead marvel for busy hosts!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups Fresh cranberries
• 1 cup Water
• 0.5 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1 piece Cinnamon stick
• 1 piece Star anise
• 3 pieces Cloves
• 1 strip Orange zest

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the fresh cranberries and discard any that are soft or discolored.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Stir and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat until the sugar fully dissolves.

Step 3

Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, and orange zest to the saucepan, allowing the spices to steep for 1-2 minutes.

Step 4

Carefully add the cranberries to the saucepan. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the cranberries just begin to soften but remain intact. Do not overcook.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Using a funnel, transfer the cranberries and liquid into a clean, sterilized glass jar (or jars) with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 7

Seal the jar(s) and let the pickled cranberries cool to room temperature before storing them in the refrigerator.

Step 8

Allow the cranberries to pickle for at least 24 hours before serving to maximize flavor. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(880.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	637.2

Total Fat 2.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 629.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 159.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.2g	0%
Total Sugars 118.0g
Protein 3.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 157.6mg	0%
Iron 4.0mg	0%
Potassium 560.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.8%

Protein: 1.8%

Carbs: 95.4%