This apple cranberry sauce starts with canned whole berry cranberry sauce. We stir in diced apples sauteed in butter, a splash of apple cider, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and allspice. It all comes together in about 15 minutes, making it an easy holiday side.
Recipe at a glance
- Main ingredients: Canned whole berry cranberry sauce, apples, butter, and warm spices
- Time: About 15 minutes, plus chilling
- Method: Stovetop
- Best for: Thanksgiving, holiday meals, and turkey or pork dinners
- Servings: 8 (about ¼ cup each)
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What's great about this recipe
- Quick shortcut - A can of cranberry sauce and a few pantry spices give you a homemade flavor in about 15 minutes.
- Tender apple bites - Sauteed apples turn canned sauce into cranberry sauce with apples, adding sweetness and texture to every spoonful.
- Make ahead friendly - It sets up in the fridge, so it's one less thing to do on the big day.
Budget check
- The full recipe is about $3.75 to $5.00
- Per serving (8 servings): about $0.50 to $0.65
Uses conventional ingredients. Based on recent U.S. averages. Actual prices will vary by store and region. Garnishes not included.
Ingredients you'll need
- Apples - We used Fuji apples. Other firm apples that hold their shape, like Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, or Granny Smith (more tart), work well too. Skip soft apples like McIntosh, which break down quickly.
- Butter - Just a little to saute the apples.
- Spices - Ground cinnamon, ginger powder, allspice, and a pinch of salt.
- Whole berry cranberry sauce - Use your favorite brand, just make sure it's whole berry for the texture.
- Liquid - Apple cider or apple juice loosens the sauce. Water works in a pinch.
- Serving and garnish - Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish, optional.
📖 See the recipe card for quantities and full instructions.
How to make apple cranberry sauce
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the apples and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and salt.
- Add the cranberry sauce and apple cider, and stir to combine.
- When it comes to a simmer, lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally at a gentle simmer.
- Let it cool, stirring gently and occasionally to let the steam escape. Transfer to a container and chill to set. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Garnish with a small rosemary sprig, if desired.
Recipe tips and notes
- Dice the apples small so they cook through in about 5 minutes.
- Stir the canned sauce before adding it so it blends evenly.
- Keep the simmer gentle; cranberry sauce can spatter.
- The sauce thickens as it cools and chills.
Serving suggestions
Serve it alongside roast turkey or pork with sausage stuffing, green bean casserole, or twice baked potatoes. For more ideas, see our holiday side dishes.
This cranberry sauce is also delicious in a turkey sandwich or wrap made with Thanksgiving leftovers. You'll find more in our leftover turkey recipes for easy dinners.
Storing instructions
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days.
Freezer: Transfer the cooled sauce to freezer containers, leaving 1 to 2 inches of space at the top to allow for expansion. Freeze for 1 to 2 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and stir before serving.
Reheating: Serve chilled or at room temperature. To warm it, microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between intervals, until warmed through.
Food safety: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking, or within 1 hour if it's above 90°F.
FAQs
You don't have to, but warming it briefly helps the flavors blend. Here we simmer it for 5 to 6 minutes with sauteed apples and spices, then chill it to set.
Yes, it freezes very well. We froze a batch for a few weeks and it was still good. Freeze it in freezer containers for 1 to 2 months, leaving 1 to 2 inches of space at the top to allow for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and stir well before serving.
Yes. It keeps in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days, and it needs time to chill and set anyway.
More holiday sides to try
If you enjoyed this apple cranberry sauce, try one of our other holiday recipes, like our cranberry orange sauce, loaded sweet potatoes, creamed corn casserole, and easy broccoli cheese casserole.
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📖 Recipe
Apple Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Small Apples about 1¼ to 1½ cups, peeled, cored, and diced small, about ¼ to ½ inch (we used Fuji apples)
- 2 teaspoons Butter
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Ginger Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Allspice
- Pinch Salt
- 1 (14 ounce) can Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce removed from the can and stirred
- 2 to 3 tablespoons Apple Cider Apple Juice, or Water
- Fresh Rosemary optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the apples and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the ground cinnamon, ginger powder, allspice, and salt.
- Add the cranberry sauce and apple cider (or apple juice or water), and stir well to combine.
- When it comes to a simmer, lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir occasionally and adjust the heat as needed to keep it at a gentle simmer.
- Let the sauce cool, stirring gently and occasionally to let the steam escape. Transfer to a container and chill to let it set.
- Serve at room temperature or chilled. Garnish with a small rosemary sprig, if desired.
Notes
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Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
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