This homemade cranberry sauce is sweet, slightly spicy, and made with orange and optional jalapeño. Perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday entertaining.
Easy Sweet & Spicy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
This Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Sauce is not your average cranberry sauce—and once you make it, you’ll never want to go back to the plain version again. It’s bright, slightly sweet, gently spiced, and has just enough heat to keep things interesting.
I make this cranberry sauce every holiday season, and it’s one of those recipes people don’t expect to love as much as they do. The secret is the balance of flavors. Fresh cranberries give it that classic tartness, orange zest and juice add brightness, cinnamon warms everything up, and the jalapeño adds a subtle kick that surprises people in the best way.
About the Jalapeño (Don’t Be Scared!)
The jalapeño in this recipe is completely optional, but I highly recommend trying it at least once. As long as you remove the seeds and dice it very small, it’s not nearly as spicy as you might think. Instead of overpowering the sauce, it adds a gentle heat that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the cranberries and sugar.
If you’re serving guests who are sensitive to spice, you can easily leave it out, or make one batch with jalapeño and one without. Either way, this cranberry sauce is packed with flavor.
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Easy to Make, Easy to Customize
This recipe comes together quickly on the stovetop and requires very little effort. As the cranberries cook, they naturally burst and thicken into a beautiful sauce. Don’t worry if it seems a little loose at first—it thickens as it cools.
You can also adjust the texture depending on how you plan to use it. Simmer a bit longer for a thicker spread or add a splash of water if you prefer it slightly looser.
Ways to Use This Cranberry Sauce
This sauce is incredibly versatile and works in so many recipes beyond the Thanksgiving table.
- Spoon it over my Hot Honey Whipped Goat Cheese Dip for the ultimate holiday appetizer.
- Make my Turkey Cranberry Baked Brie Braid recipe.
- Serve it alongside roasted turkey, chicken, or pork.
- Add it to a charcuterie board with cheeses and crackers.
- Spread it on sandwiches or sliders for a sweet-and-spicy twist.
- Use it as a topping for baked brie or cream cheese.
This cranberry sauce is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making year after year. It’s simple, bold, and just different enough to make people ask for the recipe—exactly how holiday food should be.
Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 5 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
- Zest of 2 oranges
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1 jalapeño seeds removed and finely diced (optional)
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Water as needed
Instructions
- Add cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, sugar, cinnamon, and jalapeño (if using) to a medium saucepan.
- Add enough water to just barely cover the cranberries.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Notes
Nutrition
How to Store & Freeze Cranberry Sauce
One of the best things about homemade cranberry sauce is how well it stores.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
- Freezer: Let the sauce cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To Thaw: Place in the refrigerator overnight or let it sit at room temperature for a few hours. Stir well before using.
Freezing cranberry sauce is a great way to get ahead during the busy holiday season or save leftovers for later.
