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Crockpot Cranberry Sauce is so easy in the slow cooker and delicious. With only 4 ingredients and hardly any work, you will never buy store bought again.
With my large family, I love making one pot meals. This classic dish is always on our family dinner table during Christmas and Thanksgiving. Make sure to check out all our favorite Thanksgiving Recipes to complete your holiday meal. This would be perfect to make ahead for Thanksgiving.
If you love cranberries try Cranberry Jello Salad, Cranberry Chutney, and Fresh Cranberry Relish.
Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries – Find in the produce section
- Sugar – Adds a hint of sweetness
- Orange Juice – Citrus addition
- Water – Important to add the liquid
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce in the Crockpot
Step 1 – Put all of the ingredients in the crock pot. We love using ½ cup of fresh orange juice.
Step 2 – Stir everything to combine. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. Cooking time could vary.
Step 3 – You want most of the cranberries to pop and the sauce to thicken.
Step 4 – You can serve this warm or you can let the mixture cool for 30 to 45 minutes topped with fresh orange peel. This allows it to come to room temperature before serving. It is delicious both ways so just serve it based on preference.
Crockpot Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 oz Fresh Cranberries
- ½ cup Sugar
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ cup Orange Juice
- ½ cup Water
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a slow cooker and stir to combine them.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until most of the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve warm or allow the mixture to cool for 30-45 minutes before serving and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Recipe Tips
- Crockpot Size – I make this in my 1.5 quart crock pot and it works great for this recipe. This can also easily be made (and even doubled) in a 4 quart crock pot.
- Double Recipe – Try doubling it for the holidays or a special dinner. Everyone will love it so you might want to have extra.
- Crockpot liners – Use these to make cleanup really easy. Cranberry sauce can be sticky so this sure makes cleanup so easy. It is worth the extra step and they are very inexpensive.
- Sugar – Don’t reduce the amount of sugar. This helps the cranberry sauce to thicken so you want to use all of it.
Substitutions and Additions
- Orange Zest – Add orange zest to the crock pot if you want even more orange flavor. The combination is great.
- Cinnamon Stick – Try putting in a cinnamon stick while it is cooking. The taste of cinnamon in this sauce is the perfect combination.
- Sugar – You can easily substitute the sugar with brown sugar, honey or maple syrup. Feel free to use a sugar substitute that fits into your diet restrictions.
How it Best Served
It can be served either way. It is all about preference and tradition at our house. Some of my family loves to have it hot out of the oven and others like it room temperature. Traditionally, I have been serving it at room temperature as it is one the first things I make on Thanksgiving morning.Nutrition Facts
Can You Overcook Cranberry Sauce?
Yes, you can. Cooking cranberry sauce too long will make it too thick. You definitely don’t want to overcook or bring it to a boil as it will be way too thick.
Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools. So if it is too thick when it has finished cooking, it will be way too thick when it cools and sets.
What to Serve with Crockpot Cranberry Sauce
There are different ways to serve cranberry sauce. These are some of our favorites:
- Roasted Turkey – Serve as a side with Turkey and Crockpot Stuffing.
- Stuffing Muffins – This recipe is one of my kids favorite ways to eat stuffing. These muffins pair well with a side of cranberry sauce.
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken – We love serving it with chicken occasionally. This cranberry sauce recipe can be served year round.
- Granola – You can serve cranberry sauce with a little granola for a cranberry crunch treat.
- Skillet Pork Chops – This slow cooker cranberry sauce recipe is perfect served with pork chops.
This sweet cranberry sauce pairs perfectly with Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe, Stove Top Green Bean Casserole and Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole.
How to Use Leftovers
We love leftovers especially after Thanksgiving. We seem to always have leftover cranberry sauce, so here are a few ways to use the leftovers:
- Make a Dip – Pour cranberry sauce over a block of cream cheese. You can also add walnuts or pecans. Serve as an appetizer with crackers.
- Sandwiches – Make turkey sandwiches with your leftovers. We love making turkey cranberry sliders the next day.
- Cranberry Glaze – Try using as a glaze for your leftover ham with some maple syrup.
- Cranberry Cake – You can also swirl into a cake.
The options are endless! See Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can store cranberry sauce in the refrigerator for up to 14 days covered in a glass airtight container. This is a great side dish to make ahead of time if you like to serve Cranberry Sauce cold or room temperature.
Yes, you actually can freeze cranberry sauce. Check out our Can You Freeze Cranberry Sauce post to learn more. Thaw in the fridge when ready to serve.
Yes, you can and it sure helps during busy holidays. Just make the cranberry sauce as normal. Once finished cooking, store in an air tight container in the refrigerate for up to 3 days.
I love to do this so it is one less thing to make on the actual day for Thanksgiving dinner. It is such a time saver.
More Easy Crock Pot Side Dish Recipes
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Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
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We love hearing from you. Make sure to leave us a comment if you try this Crockpot Cranberry Sauce Recipe.
How big of a crockpot?
A 2-4 quart crock pot works best for this recipe. Thank you!
I love cranberry sauce and this recipe sounds amazing! I will definitely be making this for a delightful touch to many fall recipes and meals by freezing some and having it on hand!
Mmmm mmmm delish. What an easy way to make one of thanksgivings side dishes, with out standing over it an watching it.