Turkey Free Spiced Mulled Cherries
Deep, jewel-toned cherries simmered in pomegranate juice with warm spices — this compote is the kind of thing that makes your kitchen smell absolutely incredible. Ceylon cinnamon, fresh ginger, and a whisper of turmeric give it a complex, aromatic depth that goes way beyond a basic fruit sauce, while a strip of orange zest and a splash of apple cider vinegar keep everything bright and balanced. The honey melts right into the pomegranate base, creating a glossy, spoonable syrup that clings beautifully to the fruit as it reduces. Every single ingredient here is naturally free from poultry products, so there's no label-scanning or substitution stress involved — just straightforward, wholesome cooking. It works warm straight from the pan or cooled and spooned from a jar, making it genuinely versatile for everything from a cheese board topping to a yogurt swirl to a dessert sauce. The compote thickens as it cools, so don't be surprised when it transforms into something even more luscious by the time you're ready to serve.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 lb frozen or fresh sweet cherries, pitted
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 ceylon cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 strip orange zest (about 3 inches), pith removed
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the pomegranate juice, honey, Ceylon cinnamon stick, grated ginger, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, orange zest strip, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey dissolves, about 1 minute.
- 2
Add the cherries and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cherries are tender and the liquid has reduced by about half and coats the back of a spoon, 15 to 18 minutes.
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