19 Cranberry Sauce Recipes That'll Convince You to Ditch the Can Opener
We're loving these delicious cranberry recipes for your best sauce ever.
Step aside Turkey stuffing and mashed potatoes — these cranberry sauce recipes will be the real stars of Thanksgiving this year. Although you can buy some really tasty canned cranberry sauces (especially if you’re craving the classic jelly), your family and friends will be seriously impressed with any of these gourmet cranberry sauce recipes. And making this flavor-packed Thanksgiving side from scratch makes for an even better turkey.
While it’s hard to conceive of adding yet another recipe to your Thanksgiving dinner menu (you’re making a turkey, stuffing, potatoes and vegetable side dishes all from scratch, after all), most of these cranberry sauce recipes take only 30 minutes to make, and can be made a few days in advance and kept in the fridge until the big day. From healthy cranberry sauce to a decadent fruit-filled mostarda, it’s worth taking 30 minutes to simmer a super-simple sauce to make Thanksgiving dinner even tastier.
Jellied or whole, spiced or simple, these tangy, sweet cranberry sauce recipes are undoubtedly the ultimate condiments during the holiday season. And we have plenty of favorite homemade options, with loads of flavor combinations. Fruity and sweet or savory and a little spicy, these cranberry sauce recipes will make for the perfect partner to a Thanksgiving bird.
Fig and Rosemary Cranberry Sauce
Dried figs add extra sweetness and great texture to this unique cranberry sauce that'll wow on Turkey Day.
Raw Cranberry Relish
Pulse cranberries in a food processor for a texture and flavor unlike any other sauce. Orange marmalade mixed with the tangy fruit provides just the right amount of sweetness.
Roasted Cranberry Sauce
This hands-off recipe is a huge help during Turkey Day chaos: Just toss cranberries, sugar, orange zest and juice together on a baking sheet, transfer to the oven, and walk away.
Get the recipe for Roasted Cranberry Sauce »
RELATED: 85 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Steal the Show
Citrusy Cranberry-Apricot Compote
Make this tangy side ahead of time (up to 2 months in advance!), and then take it out of the freezer and heat it up on the big day.
Instant Pot Orange-Cranberry Sauce
Free up much needed stove space and make your cranberry sauce in your Instant Pot instead!
Get the recipe for Instant Pot Orange-Cranberry Sauce »
RELATED: 18 Genius Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes for the Easiest Turkey Day Ever
Cranberry-Orange Sauce
Bright citrus zest and juice give this cranberry orange sauce a little extra zip.
Spiced Cranberry Sauce With Orange and Star Anise
Thanks to the citrus and anise, this gorgeous sauce tastes like Christmas (or Thanksgiving dinner) in a bowl.
Get the recipe for Spiced Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Star Anise »
Maple-Orange Cranberry Sauce
Sugary maple syrup and orange zest add fragrance and sweet flavor to this simple but classic condiment.
Cranberry Fruit Conserve
Dress up your tried-and-true cranberry sauce with a helping of apples, raisins and nuts.
Ginger and Pear Cranberry Sauce
Take a walk on the spicy side this season and add a little ginger to your classic sauce.
Citrus-Apricot Cranberry Sauce
A single saucepan and some time to simmer is all it takes to make this flavor-packed sauce.
Orange-Cranberry Sauce
Fresh OJ adds a fruity sweetness to tart cranberries and makes for a sauce that pairs perfectly with any turkey recipe.
Cranberry Chutney
So, what exactly is chutney? An elegant blend of fruit and spices (a.k.a. delicious) that really improves your Thanksgiving dinner spread.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Quit fussing around with the can opener and whip up this five-ingredient sauce in just 10 minutes.
Cranberry Port Gelée
This jewel-colored jelly gets its depth of flavor from allspice and a cup of Port.
Cranberry-Apple Chutney
This sweet, savory and sour chutney is the fruity condiment you never new you needed on your Thanksgiving dinner table.
Cabernet Cranberry and Blueberry Sauce
Fresh cranberries and frozen blueberries make for the perfect sour and sweet duo.
Red Wine Cranberry Sauce
If you're going to drink a glass of wine while eating your Thanksgiving feast, you might as well infuse your food with it, too.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
Samantha (she/her) is the Senior Editor at Delish, where she edits the most-talked-about food news and features on the internet. In her previous role as Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, she taste-tested hundreds of products and recipes (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
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