30 Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipes for a Twist on Tradition
Because store-bought just isn't the same.
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What's deliciously sweet, eye-catching, and the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner condiment? Cranberry sauce, of course! Here, we've rounded up the best homemade cranberry sauce recipes in the hopes that you'll skip the store-bought stuff this year and delight your guests with a fresh batch instead. The truth is, whether it's your Thanksgiving feast, Christmas dinner, or just a chilly-weather dinner party, no turkey dinner is complete without this goes-with-anything sauce. It provides a brightness and sweetness that we just can't imagine going without. Maybe you're hosting this year and looking for ways to one-up last year's meal...or maybe you've just been tasked with bringing this one holiday staple to a bigger potluck dinner. Either way, we promise you'll steal the show with a cranberry sauce recipe from this list. And we've made it easy to pick and choose a cranberry concoction that fits the theme, mood, and style of your particular celebration. Opt for a more traditional, classic sauce with one of these five-ingredient recipes, or throw in a splash of bolder, more adventurous flavor (think: orange-infused sauces, splashes of bourbon and Grand Marnier, pineapple and apple additions, and more). Whichever you choose, your friends and family are bound to be happy you went with homemade. Happy Thanksgiving!
Orange Lime Cranberry Sauce
Adding orange juice and zest to cranberry sauce before is a combination we've come to love. Here, that welcome citrus taste is further accentuated with the addition of lime.
Get the recipe at The Recipe Critic.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is pretty and celebratory enough all on its own. But when it's topped with a sprig of mint, it suddenly becomes even more festive.
Get the recipe at Cooking Classy.
Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce
Bourbon? Who would've thought? Your (of age) guests won't be able to stop talking about this cool twist on the traditional cranberry sauce recipe.
Get the recipe at Gimme Some Oven.
Cranberry Orange Sauce
Plump cranberries join forces with sweet orange for a result that's positively decadent. The sweetness of the orange balances out the tartness of the cranberries beautifully.
Get the recipe at Damn Delicious.
Spiked Cranberry Sauce
Here, orange zest makes for a gorgeous, colorful topping—and we love how it's placed asymmetrically along the sauce's border. Meanwhile, orange liqueur adds flavor and intensity.
Get the recipe at The Cookie Rookie.
Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
After everything that goes into cooking a turkey, the last thing you'll want to do is deal with another time-intensive recipe. Make this cranberry sauce recipe a day or two before your Thanksgiving feast instead.
Get the recipe at Jo Cooks.
15-Minute Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce
Not much is better than a sauce that cooks in 15 minutes! We also love the maple syrup addition here.
Get the recipe at Ambitious Kitchen.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Save yourself a ton of time and space in the kitchen with this slow cooker cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe at Gimme Some Oven.
Easy Cranberry Sauce
This blogger claims her recipe is the very best out there, with nutmeg, ginger, and orange zest included in it.
Get the recipe at Cooking and Beer.
Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce
Who can resist the rich sweetness of pomegranate? We love the idea of pairing these two red fruits for an extra-flavorful cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe at Gimme Some Oven.
Cranberry Sauce With Orange Juice
Have this orange-infused cranberry concoction made and ready to serve with Thanksgiving dinner in just 10 minutes.
Get the recipe at Culinary Hill.
Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Use fresh or frozen cranberries in this no-fuss recipe.
Get the recipe at She Wears Many Hats.
Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
Filling really bold this Thanksgiving? This blogger recommends adding a bit of bourbon to her "best ever" cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe at Major Hoff Takes a Wife.
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Instant Pot for the win: This tart sauce is cooked in just two minutes.
Get the recipe at Simply Happy Foodie.
Cabernet Cranberry and Blueberry Sauce
This boozy, berry-filled sauce can be made with your red wine of choice.
Get the recipe at Averie Cooks.
Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce
This keto, low-carb recipe will have you feeling zero guilt indulging in your Thanksgiving feast.
Get the recipe at Savory Tooth.
Easy Cranberry Sauce
This super simple sauce gets hint of flavor from maple syrup.
Get the recipe at The Gracious Wife.
Slow Cooker Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Not only is this sauce conveniently made in your slow cooker, (hello, stove space!) but it also only requires five ingredients.
Get the recipe at Little Spice Jar.
Rosemary-Port Cranberry Sauce
A fun mold will appease canned sauce lovers, especially when it's infused with port wine and Grand Marnier.
Cranberry Sauce With Pears
Juicy pears add a fresh, bright flavor to this homemade sauce.
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