Homemade cranberry sauce is incredibly easy to make and a great complement to any holiday meal. With just four ingredients and 15 minutes you can make a cranberry sauce that will outshine the rest of the side dishes on your holiday table. This homemade cranberry sauce with apple cider has been a treasured part of my holiday meals and I hope it will become a new favorite for yours.
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Planning to cook your holiday meal from scratch can be daunting but homemade cranberry sauce is seriously easy and takes minutes. Just add a few ingredients to a sauce pan and let everything cook for a few minutes and you’ve got a cranberry sauce that will shine at any holiday celebration.This apple cider cranberry sauce is perfect for Thanksgiving. Friendsgiving, Christmas, work potlucks and parties. You can also make this cranberry sauce in advance.
Fun Facts About Cranberries
- Cranberries are native to North America and the states that produce the most cranberries are Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Washington and Oregon.
- Cranberries grow on low shrubs and are in season from October through December.
- To harvest cranberries the bogs they grow in are flooded, the cranberries will then float to the top and are much easier to collect.
- Cranberries have a ton of health benefits. High in antioxidants, fiber and Vitamin C; cranberries can be used to prevent urinary tract infections.
- Cranberries were a part of the traditional Native American diet. Cranberries were eaten raw, baked with cornmeal and maple syrup as a cake, or combined with venison.
Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries
- apple cider
- granuated sugar (can also use honey or maple syrup)
- cinnamon stick
How to Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce
I mentioned that this cranberry sauce uses only four ingredients so let’s take a look at what we’ll need. Obviously for cranberry sauce we need cranberries, and just one 12 oz bag will do. Next up is apple cider for some extra fall flavor. For a bit of sweetness I like to add honey for it’s floral notes but white sugar will also work fine. The last ingredient? A singular cinnamon stick is all you’ll need ( you can also use fresh ginger, star anise or cloves if you’d like) to take this cranberry sauce from good to divine.
Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan. Over medium heat bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until all the cranberries pop, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until your cranberry sauce until your ready to serve.
If you like this Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apple Cider be sure to take a look at these other recipes!
Apple Scones with Maple Cinnamon Glaze
Spatchcock Turkey with Citrus-Herb Dry Brine
Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
If you make this Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apple Cider please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Youtube, Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
The Very Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apple Cider.
Equipment
- medium saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz bag of fresh cranberries
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup honey or white sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until cranberries have popped, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate and chill until you're ready to serve.
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Scarlet says
Huh! Now I never heard of that but it does sound good. The apple cider vinegar seems like it would an extra touch of acidity and flavor. I will try it this year!
Will says
Just want to make sure you see that it is just apple cider, NOT apple cider vinegar!
Jere Cassidy says
I love a good simply cranberry sauce. I have never seen a recipe that included apple cider so I can’t wait to make this for Thanksgiving.
Kushigalu says
Homemade is always the best. This sauce looks amazing. Thanks for sharing
adriana says
Oh yes, I made this, and it is so yummy the apple cider complements the cranberry sauce nicely.
Sandra Shaffer says
Once you start making your own cranberry sauce you’ll never buy the canned version again! So simple and I love the apple cider. Going on my menu for Thanksgiving.
Lily (GastroSenses) says
Oh my, this looks like all good things came together in this cranberry sauce!
Addie says
The use of apple cider was so yummy!!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Love the flavor of the cranberry sauce! The apple cider really brings a slight spice kick that makes it so so yummy! Tried this out and will be making it for Thanksgiving!
Amanda Scarlati says
Such a tasty cranberry sauce recipe. I love the flavor of the apple cider!
Luca says
This is indeed the best homemade cranberry sauce! It was so delicious!
Susan Pridmore says
I am definitely making this. I always add an apple to my cranberry sauce and think that the addition of apple cider is genius. Thank you!!
Megan Ellam says
Oh I love the idea of the apple cider with the cranberries! What a combo!
Linda says
Love this cranberry sauce and the addition of apple cider. So good and refreshing
Amy Liu Dong says
I love how easy and fast to make this cranberry sauce.
I am excited to make this recipe, thank you!
Erin Dooner says
We just tried this out as a trial for Thanksgiving and it was amazing! Love the apple cider twist. We’ll definitely make this for Thankgiving! Thanks for the recipe.
Alex says
Just gave this a try with honey and adored it! I can’t wait to make this again and share with my family on Thanksgiving.
Katie Crenshaw says
Homemade cranberry sauce is the BEST! The apple cider makes this recipe extra delicious. I also love that this recipe isn’t overloaded with sugar like the traditional versions.
Nicole washington says
Oh wow! I bet the apple cider gives it an extra punch!
Chef and Steward says
The apple cider adds delicious notes to this recipe. I am definitely going to try this recipe again.
LaKita says
This homemade cranberry sauce looks so flavorful and delicious. I will definitely try making it this holiday season.
BT Newman says
How long will this keep? That is how far ahead can I make it?
Brianna says
I’ve had it keep up to two weeks stored in the fridge just fine. I hope you like it!
Lois Randall says
This sounds delicious so I’m going to make this for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the recipe!
Brianna says
Yay! Let me know how it turns out!
Lois Randall says
I made this for Thanksgiving and wow, it turned out GREAT! I’m going to be making this again just because it is so delicious. Thank you for posting this recipe.
Mary says
Just watched a cooking show where Alex Guarnaschelli sang the praises of vinegar in cranberry sauce. So many people think cranberry sauce is hard to make, really. I am trying this!
Brianna says
Cranberry sauce is incredibly easy to make!
Jamie says
This is so delicious! I am so excited to make this at home.
Yum!
Ann says
I feel it is not Thanksgiving without the cranberry sauce. Love the idea of adding apple cider to the mix! I will definitely be making this come Thanksgiving!
Amy Liu Dong says
This sauce recipe just looks so yummy! The reddish look and creamy texture make this enticing and tempting!
Judith says
I made the Cider cranberry sauce last year. I cleaned, sorted and cooked the cranberries in the apple cider, cinnamon stick, half cup sugar. I let them cook to a soft berry stage, then added a tablespoon strawberry jello. Stirred and put in a bowl, covered and left in refrigerator over night.
The next day I then added the chopped celery, walnuts and orange peel and tasted to see if the jello was enough to bring out the strawberry flavor with the cranberries and it was plenty for me. I used less sugar in cooking the cranberries, as I was adding a Tablespoon of jello. Last I added one teaspoon white wine or sherri. Stir
If you don’t want wine or sherri, leave it out. Place in a container that seals well and serve with your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Andrea says
Loved it- this has become my go-to cranberry sauce recipe!