How to Melt Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce can be melted down and used as a glaze.

Jellied cranberry sauce, whether from a can or homemade, is almost mandatory on a holiday table. The sweet and sour side dish is excellent, though, with all sorts of entrees and at regular meals--not just special occasions. Cranberry sauce can be blended with other ingredients to make completely different sauces and glazes. All you need to do to incorporate with something else is melt it first.

Things You'll Need

• Small or medium saucepan
• Cranberry sauce
• Whisk or wooden spoon

Instructions

1. Place a saucepan large enough for the amount of sauce you wish to melt on your stove over medium heat. If you are melting less than half a can, use a small saucepan and low heat.

2. Use a double boiler to melt down your cranberry sauce if you will be adding more sugar to the sauce, so that it doesn't get too hot too fast and turn into candy.

3. Stir the sauce with a whisk or wooden spoon as it melts until it is the consistency and temperature you need.

4. Add ingredients to the sauce or add the sauce to your recipe as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a candy thermometer to keep the temperature of the sauce from going to a candy stage if that's not what you need.

References

• Rachel Ray Magazine; Cranberry and Soy Sauce-Glazed Ribs; Katie Barreira; Dec./Jan. 2010
• Ocean Spray: Holiday Glazed Ham