Spiced homemade cranberry sauce with pumpkin spice are an easy, flavorful addition to holiday meals. Perfect with turkey and more!
There’s something magical about spiced cranberries during the holidays. They bring a burst of tartness balanced with just the right amount of sweetness and warm fall spices. This recipe combines fresh cranberries, sugar, water, and pumpkin spice to create a cozy, festive side dish. Best of all? It’s quick to make, stores well, and can easily become a new holiday tradition.
Whether you need a last-minute addition to Thanksgiving dinner or a fun way to dress up your leftovers, turkey sandwiches or pinwheels, this one’s a keeper.
How To Make Spiced Homemade Cranberry Sauce:
Ingredients Needed
Here’s everything needed to whip up these flavorful cranberries:
- Fresh cranberries
- Sugar
- Water
- Pumpkin spice
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine Ingredients in a Pot. In a 2-quart pot (or larger), add cranberries, sugar, water, and pumpkin spice.
- Cook the Cranberries. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Watch for the Cranberries to Pop. As the cranberries cook, they’ll soften and break open, releasing their juices. This takes about 5-10 minutes.
- Cool and Store. Transfer the cooked cranberries into a quart-sized jar or container. Let them cool completely before storing in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The homemade cranberry sauce will thicken even more as it cools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Out of Pumpkin Spice?
No worries! Here are a few substitutions you can make:
- ½ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp nutmeg + ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Add a pinch of allspice or cloves for extra warmth
- Swap in apple pie spice for a slightly different but still delicious twist
Can I Make This Sugar-Free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the sugar with your favorite sugar-free alternatives like:
- Granulated erythritol or monk fruit sweetener
- A blend of stevia or allulose
Just be mindful of the sweetness level, as some sugar substitutes can be more or less sweet than regular sugar. Also know that some zero calorie sweeteners like monk fruit will cause the sauce to crystalize when cooled in the fridge. It will need to be reheated to dissolve then brought back down to room temperature before serving.
Storage Tips
Once cooled, the cranberry sauce should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 weeks—perfect for prepping ahead of busy holiday meals! If you have leftovers, they can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge when you’re ready to use them.
These spiced cranberries are destined to become a new Thanksgiving favorite. Serve them alongside my smoked turkey recipe for a sweet and savory combo that will have everyone going back for seconds. Whether you’re spooning them over turkey or adding them to leftover sandwiches, this recipe will shine throughout the holiday season!
Spiced Homemade Cranberry Sauce Printable Recipe:
Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
Method
- Add all ingredients to a 2-quart pot or larger.
- Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Let cranberries cook until they soften and break open, about 5-10 minutes.
- Transfer to a quart-sized jar or container; cool completely and store in the fridge. Sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.