Homemade Spiced Cranberry Sauce
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This Homemade Spiced Cranberry Sauce is not your average “open-a-can” variety! It features warm spices like cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg and a pop of fresh citrus, and is DELICIOUS!
Want more Thanksgiving food? How about my favorite Homemade Stuffing Recipe, or this amazing recipe for green beans?
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below. Jump to the recipe card if you wish!
Up your Thanksgiving game with this homemade spiced cranberry sauce! Infused with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and a hint of orange for a fantastic taste.
I love to change things up from the usual run-of-the-mill recipes, and making this fresh cranberry sauce from scratch is something I adore. I really enjoy the pop of freshness from the fresh orange. We use both fresh orange juice and zest combined with the cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice to make this so delicious!
I keep some of the cranberries whole and add them a little later so my sauce is more “whole berry” vs smooth.
This year, I’m making some old favorites as well (doing turkey breast in the crockpot) as trying some new ones. I make this Cranberry Sauce recipe ahead of time, and find that it allows the spices and flavors more time to blend and taste even more delicious.
I use it in my Thumbprint Cookies recipe after Thanksgiving, and spread it on toast, pancakes and waffles after that if I have any left.
You can also freeze cranberry sauce!
Why you’ll love this
- Super Easy. No need for a can of sauce when you can make this easy recipe from scratch. This will take you under 15 minutes to do.
- Adaptable. Choose your favorite spices, switch out the sweetener for your syrup of choice (agave, maple, honey – just adjust the amounts down).
- Delicious. Once you try this, you’ll never be satisfied with store-bought!
Step-by-step photos and tips and tricks are below. Jump to the full recipe card instead
Fun facts about cranberries
Did you know these?
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- Cranberries are native to North America.
- Cranberries are approximately 90% water.
- Only about 5% of cranberries are sold fresh while the rest are turned into cranberry juice, sauce, etc.
- One cup to cranberries is about 50 calories.
Ask your family if they knew (and if not, you’ll look like quite the smarty-pants. You’re welcome)
How to make this recipe
This is a step-by-step photo guide. Full ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
JumpAdd all but a 1/2 cup of cranberries to a saucepan. Add the water, sugar, orange juice, and some orange zest and bring to a boil.
Add allspice, nutmeg and a cinnamon stick, and the half cup of reserved cranberries and simmer for about 8 minutes until the cranberries have burst, stirring occasionally. Remove the cinnamon stick, add the remaining zest and allow to cool before serving.
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Spice it up: If you enjoy bolder flavors, go ahead add a pinch of cloves or ginger for extra warmth.
Ways to use leftover cranberry sauce:
Any leftovers go really great in thumbprint cookies, poured over cream cheese and used as a spread for crackers. How about these ideas?
Try this yummy Cranberry Orange Christmas Pound Cake from Lisa’s Dinner Time Dish!
Or, maybe you have some leftover stuffing too? You should totally make this gorgeous Deep Fried Cornbread Dressing Bites recipe with Cranberry Dipping sauce from Take Two Tapas
Frequently Asked Questions
You sure can! With the amount of sugar involved, it is a quick jam that can be kept in the refrigerator for quite a while.
It stays good at room temperature for several days too!
For sure. It won’t make any difference to the finished cranberry sauce.
If the sauce is too thick, stir in a bit more water or orange juice while it’s still warm to reach your desired consistency.
More recipes to love
Want more Thanksgiving-y type recipes or sides? Of course you do!
- Homemade Gravy (with or without pan drippings). Step by step instructions that will show you how to make gravy from scratch. Pan drippings not required!
- Homemade Mashed Potatoes (make ahead). Creamy, dreamy and decadent, this easy mashed potato recipe will make your side dish dreams come true!
- Easy Scalloped Potatoes (with video) Thinly sliced potatoes, layered with onion, flour, seasonings, and butter, baked, and topped with a little cheese… ready to devour!
- 30 Minute Dinner Rolls – Using a stand mixer and simple ingredients, you can have these homemade rolls on the table FAST!!
- Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shallots & Bacon. Paired with delicate shallots, salty bacon and a bit of parmesan – these take a childhood dread to DELIGHT!
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Homemade Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries washed
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 orange zested and juiced (divide the zest in half)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add all but 1/2 cup of the 12 ounces fresh cranberries.
- Add 1 cup white sugar and 1/4 cup water, half the orange zest, and all of juice of 1 orange. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce to a simmer and add 1 cinnamon stick, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
- Add in reserved cranberries, and stir to blend.
- Simmer for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the cinnamon stick, add remaining zest and allow to cool before serving.
- Devour
Notes
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Did you make this recipe?
Make sure to follow @kyleecooks on Instagram for more and tag me #kyleecooks so I can see!Update: This recipe was originally published in November of 2018. It was republished with updated photos in November of 2021.
About Kylee Ayotte
I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee
I made two batches. One with the instructions and one with candied jalapenos. Both are going over baked Brie.
That sounds amazing!