Cranberry-Glazed Vegetable Medley Recipe

Tasty Cranberry-Glazed Vegetable Medley Recipe for Fall Nights

Cranberry-glazed vegetable medley brings vibrant colors and tantalizing flavors to any dining experience.

Seasonal ingredients dance together in a harmonious blend of taste and nutrition.

Winter produce crafts into a stunning culinary masterpiece with minimal effort.

Sweet-tart cranberry notes elevate ordinary vegetables into an extraordinary side dish.

Bold spices intertwine with natural vegetable sweetness, creating a memorable gastronomic journey.

Balanced textures and rich undertones make this recipe a crowd-pleasing sensation for family gatherings.

Each forkful promises a delightful combination of wholesome ingredients and festive spirit.

Why Cranberry-Glazed Veggies Feel So Festive

  • Elevate Flavor Complexity: The recipe combines sweet butternut squash, earthy Brussels sprouts, and tangy cranberry glaze, creating a symphony of complementary tastes that dance on your palate.
  • Master Effortless Roasting: Simple one-pan preparation method makes this dish incredibly beginner-friendly, allowing home cooks to achieve professional-level caramelization with minimal kitchen skills.
  • Quick Gourmet Experience: Completed in under 45 minutes, this vegetable medley transforms ordinary ingredients into a restaurant-worthy side dish that impresses guests without demanding extensive cooking time.
  • Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with seasonal vegetables and antioxidant-rich cranberries, this recipe delivers a healthy, colorful meal that supports wellness while satisfying taste buds with its vibrant flavors.

What Goes into Cranberry-Glazed Veggies

Roasting Vegetables:
  • Butternut Squash: Sweet, hearty vegetable with rich orange color that provides a creamy texture and earthy flavor.
  • Brussels Sprouts: Compact green vegetables with slightly nutty taste that roast beautifully and add nutritional value.
  • Sweet Potatoes: Vibrant orange root vegetable with natural sweetness that caramelizes well during roasting.
  • Olive Oil: Helps vegetables roast evenly and adds rich, smooth flavor.
  • Salt: Enhances overall vegetable flavor and helps with caramelization.
  • Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to the roasted vegetables.
  • Thyme: Fragrant herb that complements the roasted vegetable medley with its earthy, slightly minty notes.
Cranberry Glaze:
  • Cranberry Juice: Provides base liquid for the sweet and tangy glaze.
  • Dried Cranberries: Adds intense berry flavor and chewy texture to the glaze.
  • Honey, Maple Syrup: Natural sweeteners that balance the tartness of cranberries.
  • Balsamic Vinegar: Adds depth and complexity to the glaze with its rich, slightly sweet profile.
Finishing Touches:
  • Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that adds rich contrast to the sweet and roasted vegetables.
  • Dried Cranberries: Provides additional texture and bursts of fruity flavor as a garnish.

How to Make Cranberry-Glazed Vegetables

Step 1: Prepare Roasting Ingredients

  • Butternut squash
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Thyme

Preheat oven to 400°F. Chop vegetables into similar-sized pieces. Toss vegetables with olive oil and seasonings in a large mixing bowl, ensuring complete coverage. Spread vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway to promote even browning and caramelization.

Step 2: Create Cranberry Glaze

  • Cranberry juice
  • Dried cranberries
  • Honey
  • Balsamic vinegar

Combine all glaze ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat over medium temperature, stirring periodically. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until mixture reduces and thickens into a glossy consistency.

Step 3: Finish and Serve

  • Roasted vegetables
  • Cranberry glaze
  • Goat cheese
  • Additional dried cranberries

Transfer roasted vegetables to a serving dish. Drizzle warm cranberry glaze over vegetables, gently tossing to distribute evenly. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and extra dried cranberries on top. Serve immediately while warm for maximum flavor impact.

Tips for Balanced Sweet and Savory Flavor

  • Chop Evenly: Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces to guarantee uniform roasting and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • Monitor Caramelization: Watch vegetables closely during roasting to prevent burning while achieving beautiful golden-brown edges for enhanced flavor.
  • Control Glaze Consistency: Simmer cranberry sauce carefully, stirring frequently to reach perfect syrupy thickness without scorching or becoming too thin.
  • Layer Flavors Strategically: Drizzle glaze gradually and toss gently to ensure each vegetable gets balanced coating without becoming soggy.
  • Enhance Presentation: Sprinkle goat cheese and extra dried cranberries just before serving to maintain their fresh texture and create visual appeal.

How to Reheat Cranberry-Glazed Veggies

  • Store Leftovers
  • Refrigerate in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed vegetables will stay fresh for 3-4 days. Separate goat cheese to prevent soggy texture.
  • Reheat Methods
  • Oven Reheat: Spread vegetables on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle extra cranberry glaze before serving to restore moisture and flavor.
  • Microwave Option: Place vegetables in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly.

What Pairs with Cranberry Veggie Medley

  • Elevate with Sparkling Wine: Pair the sweet and tangy cranberry-glazed vegetables with a crisp prosecco or champagne. The bubbles will cut through the richness of the goat cheese and complement the caramelized roasted vegetables.
  • Match with Herbal Gin Cocktail: Create a light gin cocktail with thyme or rosemary to echo the herb notes in the dish. The botanical flavors will enhance the roasted vegetables' earthy undertones and the cranberry glaze's brightness.
  • Complement with Hearty Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied pinot noir with subtle fruit notes. Its acidity and berry undertones will harmonize perfectly with the cranberry glaze and roasted winter vegetables.
  • Balance with Nutty Salad: Serve alongside a simple mixed green salad with toasted pecans or walnuts. The crunch and nuttiness will provide textural contrast to the soft roasted vegetables and creamy goat cheese.

Creative Glaze Options for Veggie Medleys

  • Spicy Cranberry Roast: Add diced jalapeños and red pepper flakes to the vegetable mix for a heat-packed flavor profile.
  • Mediterranean Herb Blend: Incorporate rosemary, oregano, and za'atar spice to give the dish a Mediterranean-inspired essence.
  • Nutty Autumn Version: Sprinkle toasted pecans or sliced almonds over the roasted vegetables before adding the cranberry glaze for extra crunch and depth.
  • Maple Bourbon Infusion: Replace balsamic vinegar with bourbon and increase maple syrup quantity for a richer, more complex glaze that enhances the roasted vegetables' caramelization.
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Cranberry-Glazed Vegetable Medley Recipe

Cranberry-Glazed Vegetable Medley Recipe


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4.7 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Cranberry-Glazed Vegetable Medley brings festive flair to your holiday table with a colorful blend of roasted seasonal vegetables. Sweet-tangy cranberry glaze elevates simple ingredients, creating a memorable side dish that delights guests and complements any main course.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Vegetables:

  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 pound (453 grams) Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

Seasonings and Liquids:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ cup cranberry juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Garnish and Toppings:

  • ¼ cup dried cranberries
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) goat cheese, crumbled
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), creating an optimal roasting environment for the vegetable medley.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine diced butternut squash, halved Brussels sprouts, and cubed sweet potatoes with extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried thyme leaves.
  3. Thoroughly massage the seasonings into the vegetables, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the aromatic mixture.
  4. Arrange the seasoned vegetables on a large rimmed baking sheet, spreading them in a single layer to promote even caramelization and prevent steaming.
  5. Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, using a spatula to gently redistribute them midway through cooking to achieve uniform golden-brown edges.
  6. While the vegetables roast, create the vibrant cranberry glaze by combining unsweetened cranberry juice, dried cranberries, pure honey, and aged balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan.
  7. Simmer the glaze ingredients over medium heat, stirring periodically, until the mixture reduces and thickens to a glossy, syrup-like consistency (approximately 8-10 minutes).
  8. Remove the roasted vegetables from the oven, checking for tenderness and caramelized exterior.
  9. Transfer the hot vegetables to a large serving dish, then generously drizzle the warm cranberry glaze over the top.
  10. Gently toss the vegetables to ensure complete and even coating with the glossy glaze.
  11. Finish the dish by scattering crumbled goat cheese and additional dried cranberries across the surface for a tangy, textural garnish.

Notes

  • Elevate your roasted vegetable game with this vibrant, tangy cranberry glaze that transforms simple winter produce into a stunning side dish.
  • Preheat your oven to the right temperature to achieve perfect caramelization, creating crispy edges and tender interiors for the vegetables.
  • Create the cranberry glaze ahead of time to streamline cooking and allow flavors to meld together, giving you a deliciously complex sauce.
  • Choose fresh, firm vegetables for the best roasting results, ensuring they hold their shape and develop a beautiful golden-brown color.
  • Experiment with different winter vegetables like parsnips or carrots to customize this versatile recipe to your taste preferences.
  • Serve immediately after adding the glaze and cheese to maintain the vegetables’ warmth and preserve their crispy texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 250 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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