Cranberry Jezebel Sauce

Welcome Back to Football Friday and the Game Day Recipe. Jezebel Sauce is a popular Southern favorite, eaten alongside meat and vegetables such as: country ham, fried chicken and black-eyed peas. Cranberry Jezebel Sauce is our version of this southern classic. There are probably as many recipes for Jezebel sauce as there are for fried chicken but what exactly is Jezebel sauce.

cranberry jezebel

Jezebel Sauce

Jezebel sauce is a hot, sweet and spicy condiment named after that bad girl of the Bible. The original bad girl, Jezebel. Jezebel was something else indeed. She caused havoc and stirred things up everywhere she went. You can also say the same thing about this sauce that is her namesake. Sweet yet spicy with just the amount heat but very delicious and addictive all the same.

During the 80’s

During the cocktail parties of the 80’s, when every sauce imaginable was poured over a block of cream cheese, Jezebel sauce became a favorite. Jezebel sauce poured over cream cheese, arranged on a platter and surrounded by buttery crackers is an appetizer that never goes out of style.

Northern Style

Make this version of Jezebel Sauce using a favorite of mine, cranberries. “Northern-style” Jezebel Sauce is the perfect sauce to serve during the holiday season. Cranberries and chili sauce give this sauce it’s beautiful red color. Serve this gorgeous crimson sauce on a green plate for a festive look. Sweet and spicy yet tart and tangy, this sauce will please everyone.

Cranberry Jezebel Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 (12 oz) package fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 4 tablespoons chili sauce (from bottle)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon or Dusseldorf mustard
  • 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, room temperature

Cooking Directions

  1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in cranberries. Return to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cool. Stir in chili sauce, mustard and horseradish. Cover and chill for several hours.
  2. To serve, place softened cream cheese on a serving plate. Pour sauce over cream cheese and serve with crackers

 

Classic Jezebel Sauce

 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup apple jelly
  • 1/2 cup pineapple preserves
  • 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard

Cooking Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, whisk together.
  2. Refrigerate several hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend.
  3. Serve with ham, vegetables or as an appetizer with crackers.

Düsseldorf mustard from Koop’s Mustard. For a delicious cocktail made with cranberries, give this a try; Cranberry Rhubarb Liqueur Revisited