Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce is a great way to make cranberry sauce without having to watch over the stove. It’s easy and only requires a few ingredients! This delicious treat will be perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner or any time you need some cranberry sauce. You’ll love this recipe!

I love cranberry sauce with my turkey dinner, but when I was a kid, it came out of a can. Recently I’ve been making an easy fresh cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving and Christmas that’s much better than the canned stuff. This simple recipe couldn’t be easier because the slow cooker does all the work.

This slow cooker cranberry sauce is sweetened with sugar and brown sugar, though you can play around with the different amounts. It’s a snap to make because it cooks unattended in the slow cooker. The ingredients are simply thrown into the crockpot, stirred, and set for several hours while the flavors meld together.

I keep the ingredients simple, but you can add other spices, such as nutmeg, if you like. Or you can omit all of my embellishments and it’ll still taste great. It’s really the perfect recipe!

Though if you are short on time and just want to try and dress up a can of canned cranberry sauce, make sure you check out this article – How to Make Canned Cranberry Sauce Taste Homemade!

How should I store the leftovers?

Store leftovers in the refrigerator, but serve at room temperature because it tastes better this way.

Can I freeze cranberry sauce?

Yes! Just place cooked sauce in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to three months. If you don’t want to cook the cranberry sauce, you can also buy pre-cooked sauces at many grocery stores or order them online.

How long will the cranberry sauce last?

This slow cooker cranberry sauce, when stored in an airtight container in the fridge, should last about a week. The flavors develop, so sometimes I make it a month ahead of time to save on prep time during the holidays.

Can I cook this on the stove top?

You can use this cranberry sauce recipe on the stove top, but it will take longer for everything to cook down. When you simmer the ingredients together, be sure to stir frequently so that everything cooks evenly. You may need to add extra water or orange juice if it gets too thick before the cranberries pop and release their juices.

How much does this recipe make?

This makes enough for about eight adult-sized portions.

Should I use fresh or frozen cranberries in this recipe?

Either is fine. Frozen cranberries are a little sweeter and help the sauce to thicken faster. Fresh cranberries may take slightly longer to cook down into a sauce because they have less natural pectin than their frozen counterparts. If you do use fresh, add 1/2 teaspoon of additional honey for this recipe because fresh cranberries are a little less sweet.

My cranberry sauce is too tart! What can I do?

Add more honey to sweeten it. If you are cooking the recipe on the stovetop, you may need to simmer it longer until some of the cranberries pop open and release their juices. You can also add some orange juice or water to thin out the sauce a bit if it is too thick.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ tablespoon orange zest
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions:

1. Spray the bowl of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Add the cranberries, water, sugar, brown sugar, orange zest, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
3. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. When the cook time is up, stir in the cornstarch and water mixture. Place the lid back on the slow cooker and set to cook on high for 30 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.

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What spices go well with cranberry sauce?

Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg are nice additions to a cranberry sauce recipe because they not only enhance its flavor, but they’re festive and remind you of the holidays. Ginger or crystallized ginger can also be added for a little heat!

What is the best kind of orange to use in this recipe?

The zest, or peel, of any sweet orange will work in this cranberry sauce recipe. Some varieties you might try are Valencia, navel oranges (for extra sweetness) or Texas Rio (if you like a little tartness).

My cranberry sauce is too thin. What can I do?

After cooking, place the sauce in a colander and drain off some of the excess liquid which will make it thicker. You can also simmer the sauce longer to evaporate some of the water. Some varieties of cranberries have thicker skins which may also contribute to a thinner sauce. Make sure you are using ripe whole berries, not under-ripe ones.

Can I make this in the Instant Pot?

We have a fantastic Instant Pot Cranberry sauce that you can try out!

Is this a vegan recipe?

Yes it is!

Can I decrease the sugar?

Yes, you can – just make sure you experiment with the proportions first! You can also use honey as a sugar alternative.

Do I have to cook this recipe?

This recipe is designed for the slow cooker. The stovetop method includes simmering ingredients together until they pop and thicken slightly, so it may take longer than using a crockpot. If you use the stovetop method, be sure to stir frequently to prevent burning!

What goes well with cranberry sauce?

Traditionally, we serve our with turkey! But you can serve it atop chicken, pork loin, and other meats. Cranberry sauce also tastes great on whole-grain toast, waffles, and even your morning oatmeal! Or try it as a topping for yogurt or cottage cheese too. It is delicious served warm or cold and can be stored in the fridge for up to one week.

I don’t want to use fresh cranberries, can I use jellied products?

It’s best to use whole berries because they are usually fresher and have better flavor. If you would like to use jellied products, make sure there are no added sugars in the ingredients list. Also keep in mind that cooked jellied products will have a slightly different flavor and consistency.

Do I have to cook the cranberries?

This recipe is designed for slow cooker cooking, so you won’t need to cook anything ahead of time! However, if you would like to use fresh or frozen cranberries on the stove top, add them when you add in the orange juice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until cranberries pop (about 5 minutes).

Can I use my own spices?

Feel free to experiment with your favorite spices! Just be sure to taste the sauce as you go so you know what it tastes like once it is combined with the rest of the ingredients.

Can I use another sweetener?

If you are not watching your sugar intake, this recipe is delicious with 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup instead. You can also use 2 tablespoons of your favorite sweetener plus 2 teaspoons of stevia extract to reduce the amount of added sugars in this dish.

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• Easy Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

No more canned cranberry sauces with added high fructose corn syrup! This slow cooker recipe is so easy and fun to try out new flavors. Add some honey, ginger, cloves or orange zest to spice up this sweet sauce. Enjoy!