I’ve been making this fresh cranberry sauce every Thanksgiving for the past 25 years, and it never gets old. It’s bright, tangy, and so much better than anything from a can—my family wouldn’t let me skip it even if I tried! “`
Type of Cuisine:
American
Prep Time: 5 minutes.
Cook Time: 15 minutes
How Many Servings?
4-6 servings
There’s nothing quite like homemade cranberry sauce. It’s bright, tangy, and takes just 20 minutes—so much better than anything from a can. This fresh cranberry sauce with ginger, orange, and a touch of dried apricots has been my go-to for years, and once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
The fresh ginger adds a gentle warmth, while orange zest and juice bring a sweet citrus brightness that balances the tartness perfectly. And here’s my secret: a handful of thinly sliced dried apricots adds a subtle sweetness and beautiful texture that makes this cranberry sauce truly special. It’s simple, vibrant, and makes your whole kitchen smell incredible.
Whether you’re serving it with roasted turkey, alongside [Mediterranean stuffing], or on leftover turkey sandwiches the next day, this cranberry sauce is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table. Plus, it’s make-ahead friendly—one less thing to worry about!
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Sauce
- Unique Mediterranean Twist – Dried apricots add sweetness and texture you won’t find in typical cranberry sauce
- Fresh & Vibrant – Tastes nothing like canned cranberry sauce
- Ready in 20 Minutes – Quick and easy, no fuss
- Simple Ingredients – Just 5 ingredients (4 if you skip the apricots)
- Works with Fresh or Frozen – Make it year-round!
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Tastes even better the next day
- Perfect for Thanksgiving – The ideal side for turkey and stuffing
Ingredients for Fresh Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: The star of the show! Fresh cranberries are ideal during fall harvest season, but frozen work beautifully year-round. No need to thaw—just toss them straight into the pot.
- Fresh Grated Ginger: This is what gives the sauce its warmth and depth. Use a microplane or fine grater to get the most flavor. If you prefer, crystallized ginger adds a sweet-spicy note instead.
- Orange Zest & Juice: Bright citrus is key! The zest brings aromatic oils and fragrance, while fresh orange juice adds natural sweetness and tanginess that balances the tart cranberries beautifully.
- Light Brown Sugar: Balances the tartness with a subtle caramel-like sweetness. You can also use regular white sugar if that’s what you have—just adjust to your taste.
- Dried Apricots (Optional but Recommended!): This is my secret ingredient! Thinly sliced dried apricots add a subtle sweetness and chewy texture that creates a beautiful contrast to the cranberries. Trust me, this little addition takes the sauce from good to unforgettable.
Cranberry Sauce Variations & Customization
The beauty of homemade cranberry sauce is making it is made exactly how you like it! Here’s how to customize this recipe or try fun flavor twists.
- Adjusting Sweetness: My go-to uses ¾ cup light brown sugar + ¾ cup white sugar for 2 lbs of cranberries—perfectly balanced sweet-tart. But you can easily adjust:
- Less sweet? Cut back to 1 cup total sugar
- More sweet? Increase to 2 cups total
- Natural sweeteners: Swap half the sugar for pure maple syrup or honey
Pro tip: Taste once cooled. Too tart? Add more sugar and reheat. Too sweet? Squeeze in fresh lemon juice.
- About the Dried Apricots: I love adding thinly sliced dried apricots for sweetness and chewy texture, but they’re totally optional! Skip them for traditional cranberry sauce, or keep them for something special.
Flavor Variations to Try
- Extra Spiced: Add a cinnamon stick and 2-3 whole cloves while simmering (remove before serving)
- Pomegranate Molasses Twist: Stir in 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses for tangy Mediterranean depth
- With Crystallized Ginger: Use finely chopped crystallized ginger instead of fresh for sweeter, candied flavor
- Extra Citrus: Add lemon zest along with orange for brighter, more complex notes
- Chunky Nut Version: Stir in ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts at the end for crunch
- Maple-Sweetened: Replace half the sugar with pure maple syrup for richer, caramel-like sweetness
Make this recipe your own—that’s what home cooking is all about!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this cranberry sauce ahead of time?
Yes! This is perfect for Thanksgiving meal prep. Make it up to 5 days ahead and store in the fridge. It actually tastes better after a day or two when the flavors meld together. One less thing to worry about on the big day! - How long does homemade cranberry sauce last?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits—that’s completely normal. - Can I freeze cranberry sauce?
Absolutely! Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then give it a good stir before serving. - Should I serve cranberry sauce cold or warm?
Either works! I prefer it chilled or at room temperature. If serving straight from the fridge, take it out about 20 minutes early so it’s not ice-cold. - Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes! Frozen cranberries work perfectly. No need to thaw—just add them directly to the pot. They’ll take the same amount of time to cook. - What if my sauce is too thick?
Add a splash of water or orange juice and stir. If it’s too thin, simmer it a bit longer to reduce and thicken. - Can I leave out the dried apricots?
Absolutely! The apricots add unique sweetness and texture, but the sauce is still delicious without them—just more traditional. - Can I use crystallized ginger instead of fresh?
Yes! Use about 2-3 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger for a sweeter, candied flavor.
More Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Love
Planning your Thanksgiving menu? This cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with so many dishes! Here are a few more recipes to complete your holiday table:
- Homemade Turkey Gravy – Rich, flavorful, and the perfect complement to both turkey and this cranberry sauce. It’s easier to make than you think!
- Turkey Stuffing Casserole – My twist on traditional stuffing with sausage, fennel, and chestnuts. It’s been a family favorite for 20 years, and it goes perfectly with this cranberry sauce.
- Herbed Turkey Recipe – Looking for the star of your Thanksgiving table? This herb-roasted turkey is moist, flavorful, and pairs beautifully with the bright tang of fresh cranberry sauce.
- Sugared Cranberries– Want to make your table extra festive? These sparkly, sweet-tart cranberries are gorgeous as a garnish or even as a little treat on their own.
Thanksgiving is all about creating traditions and enjoying delicious food with the people you love. I hope these recipes help make your holiday table a little more special this year!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start the Base
Add Citrus and Ginger
Pour in the water, then lower the heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 8 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are soft and tender and the sauce has thickened nicely.
Finish and Cool
At this point, it will look a bit loose and liquidy—that's completely normal. As it cools to room temperature, it will thicken up beautifully into that perfect cranberry sauce texture.
Transfer to a serving bowl or storage container and let it cool completely before refrigerating. Remember, it tastes even better the next day when all those flavors have had time to meld together!
November 22, 2022
Fresh Cranberry Relish with Ginger: A zesty twist on a classic, this relish combines the tartness of cranberries with the warmth of ginger. It’s the perfect vibrant side for your holiday table
Type of Cuisine:
American
Prep Time: 5 minutes.
Cook Time: 15 minutes
How Many Servings?
4-6 servings
Ingredients:
| 2 lbs. fresh cranberry (washed and dry) | |
| 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (about 2 inches) | |
| 3 oranges (zest and juiced) | |
| ½ cup water | |
| ¾ cup light brown sugar | |
| ¾ cup regular sugar | |
| ½ teaspoon salt | |
| 3 oz dry apricots sliced thin (optional) |
Preparation
Add the cranberries and both sugars to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir everything together for about a minute, coating the cranberries in the sugar. This helps draw out their natural juices and gets the sauce started.
After about 5 minutes, the cranberries will start to burst open—this is exactly what you want! Add the orange zest, orange juice, grated ginger, and salt. Stir well to combine everything. Pour in the water, then lower the heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 8 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are soft and tender and the sauce has thickened nicely.
Give the sauce a few final stirs, then turn off the heat. Your cranberry sauce is done! At this point, it will look a bit loose and liquidy—that's completely normal. As it cools to room temperature, it will thicken up beautifully into that perfect cranberry sauce texture. Transfer to a serving bowl or storage container and let it cool completely before refrigerating. Remember, it tastes even better the next day when all those flavors have had time to meld together!
Rana’s Notes!
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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Have you given this zesty cranberry relish a try? We’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’ve made it, please leave a comment below and share your experience. Your feedback helps us create even more delicious recipes for future holidays!