3 Ways To Fix Bitter Cranberry Sauce

Put down the sugar bowl, honey.

Fact checked by Jennifer HawkMedically reviewed by Carolyn O'Neil, MS, RDN

No matter how diligently you plan for the day, some kind of kitchen disaster always transpires on Thanksgiving. That's OK—nobody's perfect. But this year, how about avoiding one of the most common Turkey Day transgressions? Say goodbye to bitter cranberry sauce.

If your cranberry sauce comes out tasting too bitter, your first impulse might be to reach for the sugar bowl. Don't. Granulated sugar will make the situation worse, especially if you don't have time to reheat the sauce so the sugar can dissolve properly. Gritty cranberry sauce is NOT delicious, y'all. Instead, try one or more of these no-fail tricks for transforming Thanksgiving's banner condiment from "bless your heart" to "I'll have seconds!"

Try A Softer Sweetener

In lieu of granulated sugar, try genuine maple syrup. It's already liquid so it will stir right into the cranberry sauce, lending it a gentle sweetness. If you don't have maple syrup (pancake syrup WILL NOT do, y'all), try honey or a more neutral sweetener like agave syrup, brown rice syrup, or even simple syrup. All of these syrupy ingredients are a perfect quick fix for bitter cranberry sauce.

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

One of the best foils for bitter flavors are acidic ingredients, like citrus juices or vinegars. Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar. While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries. Start with a little, then add more gradually. It's easy to overdo it when in comes to bold vinegars.

Sprinkle A Pinch Of Salt

Before you recoil in horror, think about it—salt intensifies sweetness. It's why Southerners add salt to their watermelon. But before you go hog-wild, we mean it when we say "just a pinch." A dash could be too much—just like with the vinegar, start with a little and build up. You can always add more, but you can never take it out.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.