This easy recipe for cranberry sauce with oranges, apples, and pecans is an upscale version of the classic sauce. Simply made with ripe cranberries, fruit and nuts, it has a refreshing chunky texture that’s unique and delicious!
This is real homemade cranberry sauce, full of plump juicy and slightly tart cranberries. Fresh cranberry sauce is quick and easy to prepare.
I love all things cranberry and think I have perfected this amazing chunky cranberry sauce that is more like cranberry relish. It’s filled with fresh orange and apple chunks, orange and lemon zest, and toasted pecans. After all, we are in the south and we love our pecans!
What’s the difference in cranberry sauce and cranberry relish?
You might be wondering what the difference is in cranberry sauce, cranberry relish, cranberry conserve and cranberry compote? According to most experts, cranberry relish usually contains raw ingredients, but after that, the line blurs and it seems that cranberry sauce, compote and conserve all can contain ingredients other than cranberries and it is hard to tell one from the other.
What to serve with cranberry sauce?
This sauce is delicious in its own right and pairs perfectly with any of your holiday entrees such as turkey, ham, prime rib, or beef tenderloin.
Can cranberry sauce be made ahead of time?
Besides the taste, another huge plus is that you can make this colorful side dish 10-14 days ahead of time. It keeps beautifully in the refrigerator. All you have to do is take it out when you are ready to put it on the table.
Looking for even more options for easy and delicious holiday recipes? Check these out!
- 29 Best Christmas Dessert Recipes
- 25 Best Christmas Breakfast/Brunch Recipes
- 30 Easy and Elegant Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
- 31 Easy Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts
- 37 Fun & Festive Holiday-Party Appetizers
How To Make Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Apple
You will need the following ingredients: fresh cranberries, sugar, a Granny Smith apple, an orange, a lemon and toasted pecans. That’s it! And, if you prefer just plain cranberry sauce, all you need are cranberries and sugar.
I told you it was easy!
Add the cranberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water to a medium-size saucepan set over medium heat. When the mixture starts to boil, turn the heat down to low and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat.
Add the orange, apple, lemon juice, orange and lemon zest, and pecans and stir well to combine.
If making ahead, leave out the fruit and pecans and transfer the mixture to a dish with an air-tight lid and store in the refrigerator for 10-14 days. Add the fruit and pecans when you are ready to serve.
Be sure to chill before serving.
Sharon’s Tips:
Be sure to rinse and pick through the cranberries before cooking.
If making ahead, leave out the fruit and pecans and transfer the mixture to a dish with an air-tight lid and store in the refrigerator for 10-14 days. Add the fruit and pecans when you are ready to serve.
The cranberry sauce without any fruit can also be frozen for up to one month. Allow the frozen sauce to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before adding the fruit and pecans and serving.
Cranberry sauce is also delicious piled high on a turkey sandwich!
If you need to roast your pecans, spread them out on a saucer and microwave for six minutes.
★ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!
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Easy Cranberry Sauce with Orange, Apple and Pecans Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz bag fresh cranberries
- 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 Granny Smith apple unpeeled and chopped into cubes
- 1 orange zested and peeled, cut into small chunks
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans roasted
Instructions
- Add the cranberries, sugar and 1 cup of water to a medium-size saucepan set over medium heat. When the mixture starts to boil, turn the heat down to low and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Add the orange, apple, lemon juice, orange and lemon zest, and pecans and stir well to combine.
- If making ahead, leave out the fruit and pecans. Transfer the mixture to a dish with an air-tight lid and store it in the refrigerator for 10-14 days. Add the fruit and pecans when you are ready to serve.
- Cover the mixture and place in the refrigerator to chill before serving.
we ate something like this many years ago, and have been looking for the right recipe ever since. i think this is it!!
Hi Joan, I hope you enjoy it!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Sharon
I am going to make this but, without sugar as I have to stay somewhat sugar free. I am sure this would taste just as good.
Hi Alice, just remember that cranberries are very tart on their own but the apples may help sweet it up naturally. If you decide to make it without sugar please let me know how you like it.
All the best,
Sharon