Apple Cranberry Sauce Recipe

This Apple Cranberry Sauce Recipe is an easy and chunky recipe, which is made with Granny Smith apple and fresh orange. It’s the perfect holiday side dish, ready in about 30 minutes.

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Apple Cranberry Sauce Ingredients

1 (12-oz.) bag fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup apple juice or cider
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 orange, zested and juiced

How To Make Apple Cranberry Sauce

Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, apple juice, chopped apple, orange zest, and orange juice.
Simmer Until Thickened: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for 12 to 15 minutes. The sauce is ready when the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened, but the apple pieces are still chunky.
Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool completely. It will continue to thicken significantly as it cools. Once cool, transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.

Recipe Tips

What are the best apples for cranberry sauce? A firm, tart apple like a Granny Smith is the perfect choice. Its tartness balances the sweetness of the sugar, and its firm texture ensures the pieces hold their shape and don’t turn to mush.
Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes, absolutely. If you are using frozen cranberries, there is no need to thaw them first. You can add them directly to the saucepan with the other ingredients.
How do I know when the sauce is done? The sauce will seem a bit loose when it’s hot on the stove. Don’t be tempted to overcook it. It is ready when most of the cranberries have popped and the sauce coats the back of a spoon. It will thicken into a jelly-like consistency as it cools due to the natural pectin in the fruit.
Can I make a smoother sauce? If you prefer a less chunky sauce, you can use an immersion blender to briefly pulse the finished sauce a few times until it reaches your desired consistency.

What To Serve With Apple Cranberry Sauce

This is the quintessential holiday condiment, but its sweet and tart flavor is delicious year-round. It’s the perfect accompaniment for:

Thanksgiving Roast Turkey
A glazed Christmas Ham
Roasted Chicken or Pork Chops
It’s also fantastic as a spread on a leftover turkey sandwich.

How To Store Apple Cranberry Sauce

Refrigerate: Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container or a sealed jar in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 2 weeks, and the flavor will actually improve after a day or two.
Freeze: This sauce freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Apple Cranberry Sauce Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1/4 cup
Calories: 150 kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 0.2g
Fat: 0g
Sugar: 35g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Why didn’t my cranberry sauce thicken?

The most common reason is that it hasn’t cooled down yet. The natural pectin released from the cranberries will cause the sauce to thicken and set as it cools. Be patient and let it cool completely before deciding if it’s too thin.

Can I make cranberry sauce ahead of time?

Yes, and you absolutely should! This is the perfect make-ahead holiday side dish. The flavor gets even better as it sits, so making it 2-3 days in advance is ideal.

Can I use water instead of apple juice?

Yes. As the recipe tip suggests, plain water can be substituted. However, you will lose the apple flavor from the juice, so you should add an additional 1/4 cup of sugar to compensate for the lost sweetness.

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