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Easy Cranberry Apple Sauce

This Cranberry Apple Sauce is the perfect accompaniment to roast turkey or ham. It can be made in any flavor variation, but nothing beats this version with apples. This dish combines sweet and tart flavors for a well-balanced taste, making it a Thanksgiving favorite!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 191 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • One 12-ounce bag fresh or cranberries , frozen cleaned
  • ¾ to 1 cup granulated sugar or maple syrup , depending on the level of sweetness you desire
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 granny smith apple , peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • ¼ cup water
  • juice and zest from 1 lemon ( about ¼ cup)
  • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the orange juice, zest, sugar, and water to a simmer. Add the cranberries, apple, nutmeg, salt, and cinnamon stick, and increase to high heat.
  2. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until cranberries burst, stirring or swirling the pan occasionally.
  3. Carefully taste and adjust the sugar as needed. When cranberries have broken and the sauce has thickened to your preference, about 10 to 15 minutes, remove from the heat and transfer to a heat-proof bowl to cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for later use.

Notes

  • How to Store & Reheat
  • How to Store & Reheat
  • To store: The leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
  • To store: The leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
  • To reheat: Alternatively, you can reheat the cranberry sauce in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, often whisking, until warm; whisk in additional orange juice, water, or a combination of both until the cranberry apple sauce reaches the desired consistency.
  • To reheat: Alternatively, you can reheat the cranberry sauce in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, often whisking, until warm; whisk in additional orange juice, water, or a combination of both until the cranberry apple sauce reaches the desired consistency.
  • Make-Ahead
  • Make-Ahead
  • To make Cranberry Apple Sauce, simmer orange juice, zest, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Add cranberries, apples, nutmeg, salt, and a cinnamon stick. Cook until cranberries burst and the sauce thickens (10-15 minutes). Adjust sugar to taste. Remove from heat, let it cool, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy this make-ahead sauce whenever you like.
  • To make Cranberry Apple Sauce, simmer orange juice, zest, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Add cranberries, apples, nutmeg, salt, and a cinnamon stick. Cook until cranberries burst and the sauce thickens (10-15 minutes). Adjust sugar to taste. Remove from heat, let it cool, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy this make-ahead sauce whenever you like.