The Best Cranberry Sauce of Your Life

This easy spiced cranberry sauce will become your new go-to! Ready in 15 minutes or so and customizable to any dietary need.

This is going to be the Best Cranberry Sauce of Your Life. A bold claim, I know. Why am I so sure of myself, you ask? This recipe keeps things nice and simple without skimping on flavor for a second. It’s ready in 15 minutes flat while adding a few special touches that make this sauce unique. You won’t want to go back to the canned stuff after this, I promise.

Cranberry Sauce Ingredients

Cranberries: Fresh or frozen work wonderfully!

Navel Orange: You’ll use both the fresh juice and the zest to really infuse this sauce with flavor.

Maple Syrup: To lend a bit of a nutty, caramel flavor. It really gives things some depth that basic sugar could never dream of.

Vanilla Extract: The subtle touch of vanilla really takes things to a whole new level.

Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Ginger: What really makes this recipe sing. Adding these warming autumn spices creates a cozy, festive experience that outdoes any other cranberry sauce, in my opinion.

How to Use Leftovers

It always seems like there’s a bit of leftover cranberry sauce after Thanksgiving, doesn’t it? Aside from the usual leftovers-for-days situation, here are a couple other suggestions for how to make use of it.

• Freeze It! This sauce freezes easily and beautifully. Simply add the sauce to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container, where it will keep for up to 3 months.
• Make it Breakfast: I love adding leftover cranberry sauce to my morning oatmeal or yogurt bowls.
• Put It on a Sandwich: You could always go the classic turkey sandwich route, but I also think this sauce would be simply divine on a grilled cheese.

I hope this Cranberry Sauce becomes your new Thanksgiving Go-To. If you give it a try, be sure to leave a rating, review, question, or concern. This not only helps me improve my recipes but helps enormously with Google rankings. You can also connect with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok.

More Thanksgiving Sides

• Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
• Incredible Vegetarian Garlic Bread Stuffing
• Roasted Carrot Pistachio White Bean Dip
• Healthier Caramelized French Onion Dip
• Crispy Parmesan Dijon Brussels Sprouts
• Japanese-Inspired Miso Green Beans

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

This easy spiced cranberry sauce will become your new go-to! Ready in 15 minutes or so and customizable to any dietary need.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Appetizer, Dressings, Sauces, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Equipment

• Medium Saucepan

Ingredients

  

• 1 12-oz bag cranberries
• juice and zest of one navel orange
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ginger
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

Instructions

 

• Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil.
• Once the mixture is boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst. Remove top and simmer, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes, or until thickened.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a few days before serving.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to one week.

To Freeze: Put in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to three months.

Keyword cranberries, cranberry orange, dairy-free, gluten free, nut-free, sauce, vegan, vegetarian

Photography by Hope Agresti