Making your own cranberry sauce is much simpler than you might think, and it tastes so much better than anything from a can. I love having fresh, bright cranberry sauce ready for holiday meals or just to enjoy with chicken or turkey during the week.
Today, I’m sharing three easy cranberry sauce recipes that you can make with just a few ingredients. They all start with basic fresh cranberries but offer different flavors to make your meals special and delicious.
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Sweet Cranberry Pineapple Sauce for Your Table
- 2. Bright Cranberry Sauce With Orange Marmalade Recipe
- 3. Cranberry Ginger Sauce: A Zesty Side Dish
Sweet Cranberry Pineapple Sauce for Your Table
This sweet and tangy cranberry sauce adds a tropical flavor with pineapple. It’s great for those who like a sweeter side dish with a bright taste.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Pineapple Cranberry Sauce
- Crushed Pineapple: Canned crushed pineapple, drained, makes this sauce easy to prepare and adds a nice texture. You can also use diced fresh pineapple.
- Pineapple Juice: Using a little of the pineapple juice from the can instead of all water can deepen the tropical flavor of your sauce.
What You Need for Cranberry Pineapple Sauce
- 12 oz (340g) fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup water or pineapple juice
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
⏱️ Time: 20 minutes🍽️ Yields: About 2 cups
How to Make Your Cranberry Pineapple Sauce
Step 1: Get Ready
Wash your fresh cranberries. Open and drain your crushed pineapple, keeping a little juice if you plan to use it instead of water.
Step 2: Simmer Together
In a medium pot, mix the cranberries, sugar, water (or pineapple juice), and drained crushed pineapple. Heat the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring until cranberries pop and the sauce gets thick.
Step 3: Chill and Enjoy
Take the pot off the heat. Let the cranberry pineapple sauce cool down completely. It will become thicker as it gets cold. Serve it cool with your meal.
📝 Final Note
For a smoother sauce, you can mash some of the cranberries with a potato masher after cooking. Store leftovers in the fridge.
Bright Cranberry Sauce With Orange Marmalade Recipe
This bright and zesty cranberry sauce gets a lovely citrus note from orange marmalade. It’s simple to make and tastes wonderful with any main course.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Orange Marmalade Cranberry Sauce
- Orange Marmalade: Use a good quality orange marmalade for the best flavor. The bits of peel in the marmalade add extra citrus and a pleasant texture.
- Fresh Orange Zest: A small amount of fresh orange zest at the end really brings out the orange flavor and brightens the sauce even more.
What You Need for Cranberry Orange Marmalade Sauce
- 12 oz (340g) fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup orange marmalade
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: About 2.5 cups
How to Make Your Cranberry Sauce with Orange Marmalade
Step 1: Prepare Cranberries
Rinse your fresh cranberries under cold water. Gather all your other ingredients, measuring everything out before you start cooking.
Step 2: Cook Sauce Base
In a medium pot, combine the cranberries, sugar, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, reduce the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring often until cranberries burst and the mixture starts to thicken.
Step 3: Add Orange Marmalade
Stir in the orange marmalade and fresh orange zest into the cranberry mixture. Continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors combine and the sauce thicken a bit more.
Step 4: Cool Down
Remove the pot from the heat and let the cranberry sauce with orange marmalade cool completely. The sauce will set more as it cools. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
📝 Final Note
This sauce is excellent with roasted chicken or turkey, and makes a great addition to a cheese board.
Cranberry Ginger Sauce: A Zesty Side Dish
This cranberry sauce has a warm, spicy kick from fresh ginger. It’s a lovely side dish that pairs well with many foods like turkey or chicken.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Ginger Cranberry Sauce
- Fresh Ginger: Use freshly grated ginger for the best bright, spicy flavor in your sauce. Dried ginger won’t give the same result.
- Orange Zest: A little fresh orange zest, added with the ginger, makes the sauce brighter and more flavorful.
What You Need for Cranberry Ginger Sauce
- 12 oz (340g) fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest (optional)
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: About 2 cups
How to Make Your Cranberry Ginger Sauce
Step 1: Prep Ingredients
Wash your fresh cranberries well. Grate the fresh ginger using a fine grater. If using, zest your orange.
Step 2: Cook the Sauce
In a medium pot, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, grated ginger, and orange zest (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until the cranberries pop and the sauce thickens.
Step 3: Cool and Serve
Remove the pot from the heat. Let your cranberry ginger sauce cool completely. It will thicken more as it cools. Serve chilled or at room temperature with your meal.
📝 Final Note
This cranberry ginger sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days in an airtight container.
