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This bright, tangy Cinnamon Spice Cranberry Sauce brings juicy bursts of tart cranberries along with the subtle warmth of cinnamon to your holiday table-it complements savory dishes instead of overwhelming them with sweetness!
The Cranberry Sauce That Changed Everything
I'll be honest with you-I was not a cranberry sauce fan growing up. That jiggly, can-shaped blob on the holiday table? It always seemed suspicious to me, and I could never justify putting something that was half-jam, half-gelatin on my turkey and mashed potatoes. So I avoided it completely!
But a few years ago that changed during a family trip to Disneyland. We ate at the Earl of Sandwich, and my wheat-eating family members were raving about their turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce. I couldn't have a bite because of the gluten, but I did try a sample of the filling. That tangy cranberry sauce was so perfect with the turkey-it wasn't sugary or gelatinous, just bright and full of flavor. After that I decided I needed to create my own less sugary version of cranberry sauce inspired by those amazing sandwiches.
Here's What you Need
- Fresh cranberries: These are available from October through December in the produce section of most grocery stores. And here's a great tip: cranberries freeze beautifully! If you find them on sale during the holidays, grab a few extra bags and toss them in the freezer. You can make this sauce year-round for turkey sandwiches and charcuterie boards whenever the craving strikes.
- Orange juice: Try to get fresh orange juice if you can. The frozen juice concentrate tends to be too sour.
- Sugar: regular granulated sugar is what you need for this recipe.
- Ground cinnamon, and ground cloves
Tips and Tricks for the Best Results
⭐️Serving Temperature
This sauce is at its best when it's at room temperature or slightly warm. When it's cold it has more of a gelatin texture. Warm cranberry sauce on cheese and crackers is so good!
⭐️Storing Cranberry Sauce
Store your cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The warm spices and tangy flavors actually deepen and meld together beautifully after a day or two, so feel free to make this ahead! You can also freeze it for up to three months-just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving. It will be one less thing to worry about when you're putting together a big holiday dinner.
⭐️Money Saving Tips
Stock up on bags of fresh cranberries when they're in season and on sale ( around the holidays), and freeze them in their original bags. Frozen cranberries work perfectly in this recipe-no need to thaw them first, just add a minute or two to your cooking time. This way, you can enjoy fresh-tasting cranberry sauce any time of year!
Easy as 1,2,3
Homemade cranberry sauce might just be the easiest holiday side dish you'll ever make, and it comes together so quickly you'll wonder why you ever bought the canned stuff!
Step 1. Add all ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Step 2. Cook and stir for 5-10 minutes or until the berries pop. You'll hear them! It's a fun and satisfying sound, and you'll see the mixture start to thicken beautifully as those cranberries release their natural juices.
Step 3. Remove from the heat. Mash with a potato masher as it cools. Cranberries are naturally high in pectin, so this sauce will gel really quickly as it cools. Don't worry if it seems a bit loose when you first take it off the heat-it'll thicken up perfectly as it reaches room temperature.
Cinnamon Spice Cranberry Sauce - Easy Homemade Recipe
This bright, tangy Cinnamon Spice Cranberry Sauce brings juicy bursts of tart cranberries and warm fall spices to your holiday table-it complements savory dishes instead of overwhelming them with sweetness!
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: sauces, dressings, seasonings
- Method: stove top
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh raw cranberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Cook and stir for 5-10 minutes until the cranberries pop (you'll hear them).
- Remove from the heat and mash with a potato masher as it cools until it is your desired consistency.
What to Eat with Cinnamon Spice Cranberry Sauce
This Cinnamon Spice Cranberry Sauce recipe is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with so many dishes! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
Classic Holiday Feast
Of course, this sauce is a delicious recipe to go alongside your Thanksgiving dinner. Serve it with roasted turkey or chicken, glazed ham, and your favorite side dishes for a complete holiday feast. The tart and tangy flavor compliments rich, savory meats beautifully.
Turkey Sandwiches
Remember those Earl of Sandwich turkey sandwiches that inspired this recipe? Use this sauce on turkey sandwiches year-round! It's especially amazing on day-after-Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches. The combination of turkey, leftover cranberry sauce, and cream cheese on gluten-free bread? Pure comfort food magic.
Appetizers and Entertaining
Add a bowl of this gorgeous ruby-red sauce to your charcuterie board alongside aged cheddar, brie, crackers, and sliced meats. It's also perfect with just cheese and crackers alone for an easy, elegant appetizer. The vibrant color makes your spread look festive and impressive!
More homemade Sauces & Dressings
Recipe creator: Kristie Winget, who loves cooking Thanksgiving dinner! It's one of my all-time favorite meals, because it's made especially for family (my favorite people). Here's a little more about me.