I love making my own cranberry sauce, especially when I can try different flavors. Forget the same old thing this year! I’ve put together three fantastic cranberry sauce recipes that you can easily make at home. Each one brings something special to your table, whether you like a little heat, extra fruitiness, or a comforting classic.
These sauces are perfect for holiday meals, adding to sandwiches, or even serving with breakfast pastries. I know you’ll find a new favorite among these simple recipes. Let’s get cooking!
Jump to Recipe:
Spicy Cranberry Jalapeno Sauce Recipe
This cranberry jalapeno sauce is a fantastic way to add a bit of a kick to your holiday meal or any dish needing bright flavors. The sweetness of cranberries balances perfectly with the mild heat from fresh jalapenos.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce
- Jalapeno Heat: If you want less heat, remove all seeds and white membranes from the jalapeno before chopping. For more heat, leave some seeds in!
- Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe. Just be sure to rinse them well.
- Sweetness Balance: Taste your sauce after it cooks. You can always add a little more sugar if you like it sweeter, or a splash of lime juice for more tang.
What You Need for Spicy Cranberry Sauce
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1-2 jalapenos, deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water or orange juice
- Pinch of salt
⏱️ Time: 20 minutes🍽️ Yields: About 2 cups
How to Make Cranberry Jalapeno Sauce
Step 1: Prep Ingredients
Rinse your cranberries and chop the jalapenos very finely. Remember to remove seeds and membranes for less heat.
Step 2: Cook the Sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, chopped jalapenos, sugar, water (or orange juice), and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
Step 3: Cool and Serve
Remove the saucepan from the heat. The sauce will thicken more as it cools. You can serve it warm or chill it in the refrigerator before serving.
📝 Final Note
This sauce stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It’s fantastic with turkey or pork!
Sweet Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce Easy Recipe
This bright cranberry pomegranate sauce is full of fruity goodness and a beautiful deep red color. It’s a simple way to elevate your side dishes with a taste that’s both tart and a little sweet.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce
- Pomegranate Juice: Use 100% pomegranate juice for the best flavor. Avoid juices with added sugars if possible to control the sweetness yourself.
- Orange Zest: The zest adds a lovely fresh aroma and helps brighten the fruit flavors. Don’t skip it!
- Serving Ideas: This sauce is wonderful over roasted meats, but also try it on yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast.
What You Need for Sweet Pomegranate Sauce
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup 100% pomegranate juice
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: About 2.5 cups
How to Make Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, pomegranate juice, and sugar.
Step 2: Simmer Until Thickened
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will burst and the sauce will begin to thicken.
Step 3: Add Zest and Chill
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the orange zest. Let the sauce cool completely at room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
📝 Final Note
This vibrant sauce is excellent when made a day or two ahead of time, allowing the flavors to mix even more deeply.
Classic Cranberry Vanilla Sauce for Meals
Sometimes simple is best, and this cranberry vanilla sauce proves it with its comforting and fragrant qualities. The warm vanilla scent makes this familiar sauce feel extra special.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Vanilla Cranberry Sauce
- Vanilla Choice: For a richer vanilla taste, use a whole vanilla bean, split and scraped, cooked with the sauce, and then removed. Otherwise, good quality vanilla extract works perfectly.
- Adjust Sweetness: Start with the suggested amount of sugar and add more to your liking. Cranberries can be quite tart!
- Thickening: The sauce will thicken naturally as it cools. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can gently mash some of the cranberries after cooking.
What You Need for Cranberry Vanilla Sauce
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean)
- Pinch of salt
⏱️ Time: 20 minutes🍽️ Yields: About 2 cups
How to Make Cranberry Vanilla Sauce
Step 1: Simmer Cranberries
In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, and salt. If using a vanilla bean, add it now. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring sometimes, until the cranberries pop and the sauce starts to thicken.
Step 2: Add Vanilla
Remove the saucepan from the heat. If you used a vanilla bean, take it out now. Stir in the vanilla extract until it is well mixed into the sauce.
Step 3: Cool and Serve
Let the cranberry vanilla sauce cool down completely. It will get thicker as it cools. You can serve it at room temperature or chilled.
📝 Final Note
This versatile sauce is wonderful with poultry, as a topping for pancakes, or even swirled into plain yogurt for breakfast.
