MyTastr

Best cranberry sauce, according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Toni Elkhouri, Terrence Gutiérrez, Gerald Sombright, Stacey Mei and 6 more. Recommendations come from eatingwell.com, thekitchn.com, americastestkitchen.com and foodandwine.com and 2 other sources.

Condiments · The ranking

  1. 1
    Top pick

    Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Unanimous when EatingWell and The Kitchn asked chefs. Sombright: “They are the OG and anything else is an imitation.” Elkhouri: “bright and clean, and it actually tastes like cranberries.” Mei wants it “just released from the can in all its glory… Let me see the ridges on the jelly!” America’s Test Kitchen’s blind panel picked it as the best jellied sauce: it tasted “just like Thanksgiving.”
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: eatingwell.com ↗
  2. 2

    Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Wild Cranberry Sauce

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    The premium jar. Made in Essex from small wild cranberries, it ranked first overall in Food & Wine’s blind test of eight sauces, ahead of Ocean Spray, and was the whole-berry co-winner of Serious Eats’ blind test of 15: cranberries, sugar, water and pectin, tart rather than cloying. Sold in US supermarkets and online.
    Where to buy · amazon.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: foodandwine.com ↗
  3. 3

    New England Cranberry Colonial Cranberry Sauce

    Chosen by
    • America’s Test Kitchen tasting panel
    ATK’s whole-berry winner among seven: a “good mixture of sweet and sour,” with whole berries and a jam-like sauce that “don’t compete with each other; they blend together nicely.” Short ingredient list. For the table that wants berries, not ridges.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: americastestkitchen.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best cranberry sauce, according to chefs?
MyTastr’s top pick is Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce, chosen by Gerald Sombright (Top Chef); Toni Elkhouri (chef); Zachary Chancey (chef); Stacey Mei (50 Pies, 50 States); Terrence Gutiérrez (chef and baker). Unanimous when EatingWell and The Kitchn asked chefs. Sombright: “They are the OG and anything else is an imitation.” Elkhouri: “bright and clean, and it actually tastes like cranberries.” Mei wants it “just released from the can in all its glory… Let me see the ridges on the jelly!” America’s Test Kitchen’s blind panel picked it as the best jellied sauce: it tasted “just like Thanksgiving.” Source: eatingwell.com ↗
What are the other top picks for cranberry sauce?
No. 2 is Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Wild Cranberry Sauce, chosen by Amelia Schwartz (Food & Wine); Genevieve Yam (Serious Eats). No. 3 is New England Cranberry Colonial Cranberry Sauce, chosen by America’s Test Kitchen tasting panel. Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?
Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

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