4.70 from 13 reviews

Apple Cranberry Sauce

Jump to RecipeVideoPrintRate

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

cranberry sauce in a bowl topped with orange zest

Basic cranberry sauce essentially contains cranberries, a liquid (usually water) and a sweetener but this apple cranberry sauce is nothing but basic!

Cranberry sauce is a low-maintenance side and will probably be the easiest thing you make for the Thanksgiving table in my opinion.

My mom has been making this cranberry sauce recipe for years now and it’s one of my favorite sides.

Some of my other favorite recipes using cranberries include my Cranberry Orange Bread (perfect for breakfast!), Cranberry Bliss Bars (a holiday fave!), and Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs (easy appetizer!).

cranberries in a sauce pan

It’s a classic homemade cranberry sauce recipe but with a few secret ingredients that make it next level.

I love that this recipe is the perfect combination of sweet, tart and has a citrusy kick from the orange. I know you guys will love it too!

Ingredients You Will Need:

Scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

ingredients needed to make cranberry sauce
  • Cranberries: you can opt for fresh or frozen
  • Sugar: Any granulated white sugar
  • Orange Juice and Zest: freshly squeezed is best. If you purchase some make sure it is pulp free!
  • White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay
  • Cinnamon or Cinnamon Stick: 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon, if using
  • Granny Smith Apples: The sweetness of the apples perfectly the tart cranberries!
  • Fresh ginger: some fresh spicy ginger adds a subtle yet wonderful flavor.
  • Chili flakes (optional)
cranberry sauce in a bowl topped with orange zest

How to Make Cranberry Sauce

Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe instructions.

  1. In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, orange juice, white wine and cinnamon. Simmer for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Add in the cranberries, diced apple, ginger and chili flakes (if using).
  3. Simmer the mixture uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will begin to pop/burst and break down. You’ll notice the sauce thicken and get syrupy.
  4. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest and allow to cool.

Ways to Use Up Leftover Cranberry Sauce

Just about every year we have leftover cranberry sauce and I get excited because it can be used in so many ways! Here are some of my favorite ways to use it up:

  • Top on your pancakes or waffles.
  • Add to your morning yogurt bowl or stir into a steaming bowl of oatmeal.
  • Stir or top on your favorite overnight oats.
  • Add it to meatballs for a quick and easy appetizer.
  • Spread it on your grilled cheese or leftover turkey sandwich.
  • Dollop it on top of your favorite cheesecake or pound cake.
cranberry sauce in a bowl topped with orange zest

When it comes to cranberry sauce do you prefer canned or homemade?

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

cranberry sauce in a bowl topped with orange zest
4.70 from 13 reviews

Apple Cranberry Sauce

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
This Apple Cranberry Sauce is filled with fresh orange juice, fresh ginger, Granny Smith apples and a touch of cinnamon. Your guests will love this sauce! 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup Orange Juice (fresh)
  • 1/2 cup white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay)
  • 1 stick cinnamon or 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 (12 oz.) package fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/8 tsp. red pepper chili flakes, optional
  • 1 Tbsp. orange zest

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, orange juice, white wine and cinnamon. Simmer for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves.
    1 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup Orange Juice, 1/2 cup white wine, 1 stick cinnamon or 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • Add in the cranberries, diced apple, ginger and chili flakes (if using).
    1 (12 oz.) package fresh cranberries (about 3 cups), 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced, 1 1/2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced, 1/8 tsp. red pepper chili flakes, optional
  • Simmer the mixture uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will begin to pop/burst and break down. You'll notice the sauce thicken and get syrupy.
  • Remove from heat, stir in orange zest. Transfer to a shallow dish or bowl and allow to cool before serving. Remove cinnamon stick prior to serving. Can be made 2 days in advance.
    1 Tbsp. orange zest

Video

Notes

Store in the fridge in an air-tight container for 10-14 days. 
If you don’t like a chunky cranberry sauce, you can use a potato masher to smooth it out or even blitz in your blender until smooth.
Sauce thickens as it cools. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 114kcal (6%), Carbohydrates: 27g (9%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 1g (2%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 72mg (2%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 25g (28%), Vitamin A: 51IU (1%), Vitamin C: 10mg (12%), Calcium: 11mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Krolls Korner

Krolls Korner

Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.

Read More
guest
Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

25 Comments
Filter By : All
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Kurtis

Absolutely delicious! Easy to make and was a crowd pleaser. Printed and saved this recipe for Thanksgiving. I will add more red pepper next time.

Taylor Eovacious

At what point do you recommend taking the cinnamon stick out? Or do you keep it in the whole time?

Beth

This looks amazing! I can’t wait to give this a try! My family is going to love this recipe!

Ipsa

This cranberry sauce looks so damn awesome.n really an easy quick recipe. I hv bookmarked this.

Nathan

I never would’ve thought to add ginger to cranberry sauce, but that sounds delicious! Can’t wait to give this a try 🙂

Angela

The addition of the apple pares so well. I have always done cranberry orange, but I love the addition of apple!

sarah johnson

I love that you added apples to cranberry sauce. This recipe is definitely a keeper! thank you for sharing

Lorie

The ginger is hands down where it’s at on this one!!!

Natalie Rizzo

Adding ginger is such a great idea!!

Liz Shaw

I love the hefty addition of the ginger to this classic. Cranberry sauce should be a year-round recipe!