Ditch the can and unlock a world of flavor with this easy Crockpot Cranberry Sauce!
With just a handful of ingredients and a few hours of slow cooking, you'll have a vibrant and delicious side dish perfect for any holiday gathering.
Don't worry, there are directions for stove top cooking as well!
Check out the other Easy Recipes for Thanksgiving to help you have a delicious celebration!
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Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 3 hours 45 min. | Difficulty: Easy
What it is: A simple, classic holiday side that tastes so much better than store-bought.
Why you’ll love it: You can toss everything into the slow cooker and let it bubble away while you prep the rest of your holiday meal. It delivers rich, homemade cranberry flavor with almost no hands-on work, and you can prep it ahead so one less thing needs your attention on Thanksgiving day.
How to make it: Add all ingredients to the Crock Pot, stir, and cook on LOW until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens into a rich, spoonable texture. Stovetop directions are also included if you prefer the traditional method.
Looking for more Thanksgiving Side Dishes? Try my Company's Coming Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe or my Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe.
This recipe has been updated from its original 2015 version with new photos and clear instructions for making it on the stovetop. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed putting them together!
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
- Why you'll LOVE this Recipe
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- My Essential Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- 🍲Stove Top Directions
- Storing, Serving and Prep Ahead Tips
- Can you Freeze Cranberry Sauce?
- Recipe FAQ's
- More Crock Pot Recipes for the Holidays!
- Indulge in Flavor, Not Ads - Get Your Ad-Free Digital Cookbook Today!
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Tried, Loved, and Rated 5 Stars!
"As a guy who loves Thanksgiving food this Cranberry recipe not only adds to that enjoyment, but it also let's me be part of the cooking side of things. So guys, if you want to help out in the Thanksgiving kitchen, this recipe is no fail and delicious for you to make. Not only was it easy, but the kitchen smelled great. I think the ladies or cooks in your life will appreciate the help and the company (I hope) in the kitchen."
~ Fred Spoelstra
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why you'll LOVE this Recipe
You’ll love this cranberry sauce because it’s incredibly easy to make and tastes so much fresher than anything from a can. One of the best things about this recipe is that you can make it ahead of time, which means one less task to worry about during the busy holiday rush.
Feel free to prepare it a day or two before Thanksgiving, or even freeze it a week or two in advance. It frees up valuable time on the big day and guarantees a bright, flavorful side dish that everyone will enjoy.
And if you happen to have any leftovers (though it's unlikely!), try spooning some over a turkey sandwich with leftover turkey.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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Main Ingredients Needed
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
Cinnamon: Swap out the cinnamon for ginger, cloves, or nutmeg if you want a slightly different warm spice flavor.
Extracts: Add a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract to boost the sweetness and deepen the flavor.
Nuts: Stir in toasted pecans or walnuts after cooking for a little crunch and texture.
Fruit: Dice a pear or apple and add it to the Crock Pot with the cranberries for a naturally sweet twist.
Tip: You can also make this recipe using my Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe. Stove Top directions can be found below!
Step-by-Step Directions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Start by adding all of the ingredients to your crock pot. Give everything a good stir to ensure the sugar is evenly distributed. Cover and cook on high for approximately 3 hours.
Step 2: After 3 hours, remove the lid and give the sauce another stir. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to gently mash some of the cranberries. This will help to thicken the sauce and release more of their juices.
Step 3: Continue cooking the cranberry sauce uncovered for another 45 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency. Most of the cranberries will have popped, and the sauce will be noticeably thicker.
Step 4: Once the cranberry sauce is cooked to perfection, turn off the crock pot and allow it to cool completely. This will allow the sauce to thicken further. Serve it chilled or at room temperature.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO let the cranberry sauce cool completely so it has time to thicken and set before serving.
❌ DO NOT reduce the sugar too much or the sauce may turn overly tart and won’t gel properly.
🍲Stove Top Directions
To make this cranberry sauce on the stovetop, simply combine the cranberries, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely so it can finish thickening before serving.
Storing, Serving and Prep Ahead Tips
Refrigerator: Any leftover cranberry sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Prep Ahead Tips: This cranberry sauce is perfect for making ahead. Once it cools, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week. If you need to prep even earlier, freeze it for a few months and thaw it in the fridge overnight. Give it a quick stir before serving.
Serving Tips: Spoon the cranberry sauce into a small bowl and let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes to soften. It’s great alongside turkey, ham, or pork, and also works well spread on dinner rolls or layered in leftover sandwiches the next day.
Can you Freeze Cranberry Sauce?
Before freezing, make sure your cranberry sauce has cooled completely to room temperature. This prevents ice crystals from forming and affecting the texture. Transfer the cranberry sauce to airtight, freezer-safe containers, leaving about half an inch of headspace for expansion. Use the frozen cranberry sauce within 2-3 months.
Recipe FAQ's
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
You can make cranberry sauce up to a week ahead of time. The flavors deepen as it chills, and the texture thickens beautifully in the refrigerator. Just store it in an airtight container and give it a quick stir before serving.
Cranberry sauce thickens as it cools, so if it seems runny right after cooking, that’s completely normal. If it still hasn’t thickened after cooling, it’s usually because it didn’t simmer long enough for the cranberries to fully burst and release their natural pectin. Simmer it a few minutes longer next time, and avoid reducing the sugar too much because sugar also helps the sauce set.
You can serve cranberry sauce either way, but most people prefer it chilled or at room temperature so it has time to fully set. If you like it warmer, let it cool just enough to thicken slightly before serving so the texture stays smooth and spoonable.
More Crock Pot Recipes for the Holidays!
Check out more family favorite crock pot recipes to help you have a great holiday celebration!
- Crock Pot Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Filling
- Crockpot Pumpkin Cobbler
- Crockpot Glazed Carrots
- AND if you have leftover cranberry sauce, you need to make these EASY Turkey Slider Sandwiches!
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📖 Recipe Card
Crockpot Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Method
- Place all the ingredients in the crock pot and stir.
- Cover and cook on high for about 3 hours.
- Remove the lid, stir and mash some of the cranberries.
- Continue to cook uncovered for another 45 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and most of the cranberries have popped.
- Let cool before serving or place in a container to store in the refrigerator.
- This sauce also freezes well.
Nutrition
Notes
- Combine cranberries, sugar, and water (or orange juice) in a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and let it cool completely so it can finish setting.
- Let the cranberry sauce cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- If making further in advance, freeze it and thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Stir well to bring back the smooth texture.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2015 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Kathi says
Another yummy recipe to make with the berries I gather here in Alaska. Thank you!
Lois says
Thank you for the lovely comment! Hope you enjoy the recipe...it's a family favorite here!
Joanne says
I don't normally like cranberry sauce (more for the texture because I do love cranberries!) and I think I'd love this!
Fred Spoelstra says
As a guy who loves Thanksgiving food this Cranberry recipe not only adds to that enjoyment, but it also let's me be part of the cooking side of things. So guys, if you want to help out in the Thanksgiving kitchen, this recipe is no fail and delicious for you to make. Not only was it easy, but the kitchen smelled great. I think the ladies or cooks in your life will appreciate the help and the company (I hope) in the kitchen.
Lois says
Thank you Fred! I'm glad you found the recipe easy to prepare and delicious!
Beverly says
Wow, this cranberry sauce looks amazing. Congratulations, you are being featured on Happiness Is Homemade this weekend. I hope you stop by.
https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2021/11/happiness-is-homemade-party_01749502664.html
Hugs,
Bev
Lois says
Thank you so much!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
I grew up with cranberry sauce that came in the form of a a can-shaped blob. It made the most revolting "slurp-PLOP!" sound as my mom flopped it onto her fanciest crystal serving dish. Cranberry sauce is SO EASY to make yourself—there's no excuse for the canned stuff. I love the addition of cinnamon and orange zest in your version!
Lois says
Thanks for visiting. I was quite surprised at how easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce is to make as well!
Emily says
There really is nothing quite like cranberry sauce that's homemade. There's no comparison with canned.
Valerie Rath says
Homemade Cranberry Sauce is just the best and also my most favorite dish at any Thanksgiving table.