Nothing shouts “Thanksgiving” more than traditional cranberry sauce, especially when it’s prepared traditionally with fresh cranberries and served warm and tangy.
The great thing is that cranberry really is the ultimate side dish — it’s totally necessary in a Thanksgiving spread, in my opinion, and is easy to prepare in a slow cooker so you don’t have to worry about it. I found some great recipes for the crock pot too, which frees up your stovetop and ensures your cranberries will be ready to go when the meal is served.
When buying fresh cranberries, they should be plump, shiny and firm to the touch. They can be stored in a plastic bag and refrigerated for up to two months. After cooking, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one month. Freeze clean, whole berries in an airtight bag for up to one year.
There are so many reasons to love your crock pot and cranberry recipes are at the top. As a bonus, your house will smell amazing while the cranberry sauce simmers… divine!
Slow cooker cranberry sauce
Cleverly Simple adds brown sugar and cinnamon to their sauce, proving that even a novice can make delicious cranberry cause for the first time ever in the crockpot.
Slow cooker cranberry sauce with orange zest and ginger
The addition of a little orange zest and grated ginger to your cranberry sauce will recreate this amazing recipe from The Lemon Bowl that will leave your guests running for seconds.
Red wine crockpot cranberry sauce
How do you make delicious cranberries and make them even better? You take the boozy route and add red wine and a little nutmeg to the tart and sweet recipe by Oh, Bite It!
Tangy crockpot cranberry sauce
Want it tangy? The addition of a jar of orange marmalade will do the trick as shown in this recipe from FrugalGirls.Com. For another variation may we suggest using pineapple jelly or jam. It can easily be interchanged with orange to elevate flavor.
Roasted apple cranberry sauce
A super fall-inspired oven Roasted apple cranberry sauce from Budget Bytes is good for way more than just a Thanksgiving side! It goes perfectly on bagels with cream cheese, over goat cheese as an appetizer, or you can make a delightful baked brie that will be sure to impress all your friends at holiday parties.
Spiced cranberry sauce
This isn’t your average cranberry sauce. The Detoxinista adds cinnamon, ginger and maple syrup to her sauce to which is (almost) guaranteed to win over any guest that is not a fan of the holiday side dish!
Crockpot cranberry sauce with honey and walnuts
Dried cranberries, cinnamon, honey and walnuts slowly cooked in a crockpot gives Mommifried’s sauce palatable texture that will leave your guests excited and asking for more..
Cranberry butter
Cook a little longer and puree and you’ve got cranberry butter, recipe by The View From the Great Island.
3-ingredient crockpot cranberry sauce
Like the idea of only three ingredients? Try this super easy cranberry sauce with only three ingredients from Moms With Crockpots and you will never buy canned cranberry sauce again!
Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce
This cranberry sauce from our own Makeitgrateful.com kitchen has a twist with mixed in jalapeños that give it a kick none of your guests will be expecting.
