Introduction
Cranberry sauce is a holiday classic, but there’s no reason to stick to the plain version. From sweet and fruity to tangy and spiced, these 21 cranberry sauce ideas bring flavor and color to your table. Let’s explore recipes that can make any holiday meal feel special and festive.
1. Classic Orange Cranberry Sauce
This traditional recipe combines fresh cranberries with sweet orange for a bright, festive flavor.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Rinse cranberries and remove any stems.
- In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, and orange juice.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst (about 10–12 minutes).
- Stir in orange zest and simmer 2 more minutes.
- Let cool to thicken before serving.
How to Serve It
Serve chilled with roasted turkey or chicken. Garnish with extra orange zest for a fresh touch.
2. Spiced Apple Cranberry Sauce
Adding apples and warming spices makes this sauce sweet, tart, and cozy.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1 large apple, peeled and diced
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, apple, sugar, spices, and water in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat until cranberries and apples soften (10–15 minutes).
- Mash slightly for texture or leave chunky.
- Cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Perfect with roast pork or turkey, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
3. Ginger Pear Cranberry Sauce
Fresh ginger adds a zing that pairs beautifully with sweet pears.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1 ripe pear, peeled and diced
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
- Simmer over medium heat until cranberries burst and pears soften (12–15 minutes).
- Mash gently for a chunky texture.
- Allow to cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted poultry or as a side for holiday sandwiches.
4. Maple Pecan Cranberry Sauce
Maple syrup and toasted pecans add a nutty, sweet twist to classic cranberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, maple syrup, and water in a saucepan.
- Cook until cranberries pop (10 minutes).
- Stir in pecans and simmer 2 more minutes.
- Cool to room temperature before serving.
How to Serve It
Garnish with extra pecans. Pairs well with roasted turkey or ham.
5. Cranberry Raspberry Sauce
Raspberries add extra tartness and a gorgeous color.
Ingredients
- 10 oz cranberries
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, raspberries, sugar, and water.
- Cook until cranberries pop and sauce thickens (10–12 minutes).
- Mash lightly for texture or leave smooth.
- Cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Serve chilled with poultry or spread on a holiday sandwich.
6. Orange Cranberry Relish with Pecans
This raw version offers crunch and freshness without cooking.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 orange, chopped (skin on)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, orange, sugar, and pecans in a food processor.
- Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- Chill before serving.
How to Serve It
Great for adding a fresh crunch to turkey or sandwiches.
7. Cranberry Chili Sauce
A touch of chili gives this sauce a subtle kick.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, water, and chili flakes.
- Simmer until cranberries burst (10–12 minutes).
- Cool slightly before serving.
How to Serve It
Pairs surprisingly well with roast chicken or grilled meats.
8. Honey-Lime Cranberry Sauce
Honey and lime create a sweet-tart balance with fresh cranberries.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup honey
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, honey, lime juice, zest, and water.
- Simmer until cranberries pop and sauce thickens (10 minutes).
- Let cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Serve with baked turkey or as a topping for cheese platters.
9. Cranberry Chutney with Raisins
Raisins add sweetness and texture to this spiced cranberry chutney.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine all ingredients.
- Simmer until cranberries pop and raisins soften (10–12 minutes).
- Cool slightly before serving.
How to Serve It
Delicious with roast meats or as a condiment for sandwiches.
10. Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce
Pomegranate seeds add bursts of flavor and a festive look to this tart-sweet sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
- Simmer until cranberries pop (10–12 minutes).
- Stir in pomegranate seeds and cook 1–2 more minutes.
- Cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Garnish with extra seeds for holiday presentation. Perfect with turkey or roasted vegetables.
11. Spiced Cranberry Orange Marmalade
This marmalade combines tart cranberries with sweet orange and warming spices for a bright spread.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1 orange, chopped
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, orange, sugar, spices, and water in a saucepan.
- Simmer until cranberries burst and mixture thickens (12–15 minutes).
- Mash lightly for texture and let cool.
How to Serve It
Serve with toast, cheese boards, or as a side for holiday meats.
12. Cranberry Fig Sauce
Dried figs add natural sweetness and a chewy texture.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped dried figs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, figs, sugar, and water.
- Simmer until cranberries burst and figs soften (12–15 minutes).
- Cool to room temperature before serving.
How to Serve It
Pairs well with roasted meats or as a spread on bread.
13. Cranberry Ginger Preserves
Fresh ginger gives this sauce a zesty, aromatic lift.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
- Simmer until cranberries burst and sauce thickens (10–12 minutes).
- Cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Use as a glaze for ham or as a tangy side for poultry.
14. Cranberry Blueberry Sauce
Blueberries add a subtle sweetness and deeper color to your cranberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
- Cook until cranberries pop and blueberries soften (10–12 minutes).
- Mash lightly if desired and cool.
How to Serve It
Serve with turkey, chicken, or pork for a colorful holiday plate.
15. Cranberry Apple Cider Sauce
Using apple cider adds natural sweetness and a fall-holiday flavor.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 small apple, diced
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, cider, sugar, and apple.
- Simmer until cranberries burst and apples soften (12 minutes).
- Cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Delicious with roasted turkey or pork, topped with thin apple slices.
16. Cranberry Vanilla Sauce
Vanilla adds warmth and a subtle sweetness that balances tart cranberries.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
- Simmer until cranberries burst (10 minutes).
- Stir in vanilla extract and cool.
How to Serve It
Serve with roast poultry or as a topping for desserts like cheesecake.
17. Cranberry Pineapple Sauce
Sweet pineapple balances tart cranberries for a tropical twist.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup diced pineapple
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, pineapple, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
- Simmer until cranberries burst and pineapple softens (12 minutes).
- Cool slightly before serving.
How to Serve It
Perfect with ham or roasted turkey, adds a sunny note to the plate.
18. Cranberry Lemon Sauce
Fresh lemon zest gives a zesty, tangy flavor to this cranberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, water, lemon juice, and zest.
- Simmer until cranberries pop (10 minutes).
- Cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Garnish with extra zest; great with roasted turkey or chicken.
19. Cranberry Raspberry Mint Sauce
Mint adds freshness, making this sauce vibrant and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, raspberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
- Simmer until cranberries pop (10 minutes).
- Stir in mint and cool slightly.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted meats or as a topping for holiday desserts.
20. Cranberry Cinnamon Pear Sauce
Cinnamon and pear make this sauce cozy and aromatic.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1 ripe pear, diced
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
- Simmer until cranberries burst and pear softens (12–15 minutes).
- Mash lightly if desired. Cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Garnish with a cinnamon stick; pairs well with poultry or cheese boards.
21. Cranberry Fig Walnut Sauce
Figs and walnuts add depth, texture, and a rich flavor perfect for holiday dinners.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped dried figs
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, figs, sugar, and water.
- Simmer until cranberries pop and figs soften (12 minutes).
- Stir in walnuts and let cool before serving.
How to Serve It
Serve with roasted meats or as a flavorful spread for bread.
Conclusion
With these 21 cranberry sauce recipes, your holiday meals can showcase a variety of flavors, textures, and colors. Try a few, share them with friends and family, and make your festive table a true celebration of taste.
Leave a Reply