Published: · Modified: by Nicki Sizemore · This post may contain affiliate links
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This easy cranberry sauce recipe is the best. It's sweet and tart (but not overly saccharine like other recipes), with a nutty crunch from toasted walnuts, warmth from a touch of cinnamon and maple syrup, and brightness from orange zest. The sauce pairs perfectly with Thanksgiving turkey, but it's also phenomenal on pork, sandwiches, yogurt and more (keep reading!). Best of all, it takes just minutes to assemble. Don't miss the step-by-step video below.
When it comes to holiday side dishes, I’m fairly flexible. I’ll swapped out green beans or add in a new salad. But when it comes to the cranberry sauce, I won’t budge; it HAS to be this cranberry walnut sauce recipe, which I learned from my mother-in-law (moms are the best!). I've adapted the recipe over the years to cut back on the sugar and amp up the flavors.
Ingredients:
This sauce includes fresh or frozen cranberries as its base, but a few secret ingredients take the flavor and texture to new heights. These are pantry staples that you might already have on hand, including:
- Cherry preserves: using jarred preserves creates a luscious body that’s set but not too firm
- Maple syrup: swapping out some of the sugar for maple syrup lends a rich depth of flavor
- Cinnamon: a pinch of cinnamon provides sweet warmth
- Chopped toasted walnuts: walnuts not only add a nutty note but also create a delicious crunch (the nuts can be omitted for a nut-free version, or they can be swapped out for pecans)
- Orange zest: a touch of orange zest brightens up all the other flavors
Cranberry sauce recipe with orange
The orange zest in this recipe brightens up the flavors but you can’t really taste it. However, if you prefer a more pronounced orange flavor, simply add more zest!
How to make this easy cranberry sauce recipe:
- In a medium pot, combine fresh or defrosted frozen cranberries, cherry preserves, natural cane sugar (or you can use regular sugar), maple syrup, cinnamon and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer the sauce until most of the cranberries have popped.
- Stir in chopped toasted walnuts and orange zest.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool (it will thicken as it cools).
Healthy cranberry sauce
This cranberry sauce cuts back on the granulated sugar by swapping in cherry preserves and maple syrup. The result is a balanced sweet-tart flavor that’s not too saccharine.
FAQs
Do you serve cranberry sauce hot or cold?
Cranberry sauce should be served at room temperature or cold. The flavors get even better with time, so I suggest making it ahead.
How far in advance can you make cranberry sauce?
Cranberry sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance. Refrigerate it in an airtight container.
Will cranberry sauce thicken as it cools?
Yes! The sauce will be quite loose after it simmers, but it will thicken into a rich, spoonable texture as it cools.
How else can you serve cranberry sauce?
This cranberry sauce is also fantastic over roasted pork tenderloin or duck, and it takes turkey or chicken sandwiches to new heights. I also love to eat it over Greek yogurt for breakfast (or on our morning waffles), and it’s lovely on toasted pound cake.
Is cranberry sauce gluten free?
Yes! Cranberry sauce is naturally gluten free.
Recipe tips:
- This sauce will seem quite thin at first, but it will thicken and gel as it cools (especially if it’s refrigerated).
- If you prefer a sweeter flavor, stir in a couple more tablespoons of sugar once the sauce is cooked.
- I use organic cane sugar in this recipe, but you could use regular white sugar instead.
- You can use either a red or black cherry jam in this recipe. If you use a sour cherry jam you might need to add a bit more sugar, depending on the sweetness of the jam. You can also use black currant preserves.
- Feel free to omit the walnuts or to swap them out for pecans.
*This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links to products I use and love (from which I earn income, at no cost to you). Thank you or supporting From Scratch Fast!
Other Thanksgiving dishes to try:
- Easy Sweet Potato Souffle
- Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- Brown Butter Acorn Squash Wedges
- Swiss Chard Gratin
- Crustless Pumpkin Pie Custards
- Best Gluten Free Pie Crust
- Pumpkin Pound Cake
- More Gluten Free Recipes for Thanksgiving
Watch the video!
The BEST Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
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Easy Cranberry Walnut Sauce
This is the ultimate cranberry sauce, with a balanced sweet-tart flavor and lush texture. A few secret ingredients take it to new heights. Cherry preserves provide body, maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon lend warm complexity, orange zest brightens everything up, and toasted walnuts provide a wonderful crunch and nuttiness (but they can be omitted for a nut-free version). The sauce will thicken and gel as it cools.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time35 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cranberry sauce recipe, cranberry walnut sauce, easy cranberry sauce recipe
Servings: 4 cups
Author: Nicki Sizemore
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh or frozen and thawed cranberries
- 1 cup cherry preserves
- ¾ cup organic cane sugar (plus more as needed)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- Pinch cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, cherry preserves, sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until most of the cranberries are popped but a few whole ones remain, about 30 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the walnuts and orange zest. Give the sauce a taste; if you prefer a sweeter flavor, stir in a couple more tablespoons of sugar to taste (remember that the flavors will meld as the sauce cools). Cool the sauce completely before serving (the sauce will thicken as it cools).
Notes
Do Ahead: The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Notes:
- This sauce will seem quite thin at first, but it will thicken and gel as it cools (especially if it’s refrigerated).
- If you prefer a sweeter flavor, stir in a couple more tablespoons of sugar once the sauce is cooked.
- I use organic cane sugar in this recipe, but you could use regular white sugar instead.
- You can use either a red or black cherry jam in this recipe. If you use a sour cherry jam you might need to add a bit more sugar, depending on the sweetness of the jam. You can also use black currant preserves.
- Feel free to omit the walnuts or to swap them out for pecans.
- Get more Thanksgiving recipes here!
More Side Dishes
- Hoisin Glazed Baby Bok Choy
- Best Gluten Free Biscuits Recipe (Easy!)
