The best cranberry sauce recipes
An essential part of the Christmas dinner table, cranberry sauce is also one of the easiest recipes to make. These are our favourites.
Cranberry sauce is one of the easiest things to make for Christmas dinner and packs one of the biggest punches. Sharp and citrusy, cranberries cut through any rich meats as a light relief!
A cranberry sauce recipe, made with fresh cranberries, is also just as delicious, cold and spread like a condiment on the bread of a leftover turkey or ham sandwich in a quiet moment after Christmas.
There are plenty of inventive cranberry sauce options available to buy at the supermarket, but if you prefer homemade cranberry sauce, it needs only a few ingredients and you'll be rewarded with a delicious taste.
How to make cranberry sauce?
An easy cranberry sauce needs fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice and maybe some wine or port. Gently simmer the wine, juice and sugar in a pan on the stove, bring to the boil and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Stir in the cranberries and simmer until the cranberries are tender but holding their shape. This will take about 15 to 20min and the sauce will thicken as it cools. Bring to room temperature before serving.
What flavourings can I add?
We have plenty of twists on a traditional cranberry sauce recipe - including everything from port and gin to Cointreau. Or, if you're looking a classic cranberry sauce recipe we also have you covered.
We love this mulled cranberry sauce which is gently spiced with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
Our cranberry sauce with sloe gin is a boozier take on the classic recipe and is the perfect addition to your festive feast.
Can cranberry sauce be frozen?
A question that is asked a lot is, can you freeze cranberry sauce? Yes, cranberry sauce can be frozen in a sealed container for up to one month, meaning you can get ahead on the Christmas Day meal prep. To defrost, just thaw in a fridge overnight. You’ll never buy cranberry sauce from a supermarket again.
Gin and Rosemary Cranberry Sauce
If you prefer to keep your sauce booze-free, simply replace the gin with orange juice.
Recipe: Gin and Rosemary Cranberry Sauce
Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce
Pomegranate adds an extra sweet-sour hit to the classic sauce. To make in the microwave, mix step 1 ingredients in a large microwave-safe bowl, cover tightly and microwave on high power for 8-10min, stirring every couple of min.
Recipe: Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce
Ginger and Marmalade Cranberry Sauce
Certainly superior to any store-bought offering, this easy all-in-1 sauce is great with leftovers, too.
Spiced Cranberry Margarita Sauce
Swap the tequila for water or apple juice for a family friendly version.
Recipe: Spiced Cranberry Margarita Sauce
Mulled Cranberry Sauce
So easy to make and much more flavoursome than the jarred varieties this mulled cranberry sauce recipe is a gently spiced accompaniment to Christmas dinner.
Recipe: Mulled Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry and orange sauce
Two classic Christmas flavours are used in this orange and cranberry sauce recipe, so it's best served up along your Christmas dinner.
Ruby port cranberry sauce
Use frozen or fresh cranberries for this classic cranberry sauce
Recipe: Ruby port cranberry sauce
Cranberry and Sloe Gin Sauce
A classic cranberry sauce with a boozy boost using sloe gin.
Recipe: Cranberry and Sloe Gin Sauce
Cranberry Cointreau Sauce
A zesty orange twist on classic cranberry sauce. Any leftovers will be wonderful served with ham or in turkey sandwiches.
Recipe: Cranberry Cointreau Sauce
Cranberry and Ginger Sauce
Turkey can’t be without its cranberries and our homemade cranberry sauce recipe, with a tang of ginger, is easy to make and freezes brilliantly.
Recipe: Cranberry and Ginger Sauce
Spiced cranberry sauce
If you are not a fan of cardamom, replace it with a broken cinnamon stick.
Recipe: Spiced cranberry sauce
Cranberry and Clementine Sauce
This delicious fruity cranberry sauce goes perfectly with roast turkey
Recipe: Cranberry and Clementine Sauce
Drunken Cranberry Sauce
Kirsch adds incredible flavour to this cranberry sauce
Recipe: Drunken Cranberry Sauce
Pan-fried loin of venison with port and cranberry sauce
This impressive venison dish is surprisingly quick and easy to prepare and comes with a port and cranberry sauce.
Recipe: Pan-fried loin of venison with port and cranberry sauce
Fruity cranberry sauce
Use mandarins in juice for ease, or prepare your own fruit for this fruity twist on a cranberry sauce recipe.
Recipe: Fruity cranberry sauce
Cranberry, orange and Port sauce
This Christmas dinner recipe combines three of the most festive flavours; cranberry, orange and port.
Recipe: Cranberry, orange and port sauce
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