Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

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This Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce is a classic holiday staple. It is sweet and tart, with with only 4 ingredients, it couldn't be any simpler to make. It can even be made ahead of time. This is an excellent base recipe to build on and customize.

a bowl of homemade cranberry sauce, garnished with fresh mint and cinnamon

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Ingredients in Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

ingredients for homemade cranberry sauce - cranberries, sugar, cinnamon and orange juice

Ingredient Notes

Cranberries: For this slow cooker cranberry sauce recipe, you can use fresh or frozen cranberries. (Try this Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce)
Sugar or sweetener: You can use granulated or powdered sugar, brown sugar, or the natural low carb sweetener of your choice (for a low carb option). I've tested all of these variations and they all work great.
Orange Juice: The orange juice add a burst of fresh citrus flavor and a hint of sweetness. You can also use apple juice, or even cranberry juice. You could even use water and a teaspoon of pure orange extract.
Cinnamon Stick: If you do not have cinnamon sticks on hand, you can use ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Taste halfway through cooking, and add more if desired.

Step By Step Instructions

a slow cooker with cranberries, sugar, orange juice and a cinnamon stick

How to make Crockpot Cranberry Sauce

STEP 1: These steps can be copied from the recipe card or modified where

STEP 2: These steps can be copied from the recipe card or modified where

Recipe Tips and Variations

Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Make ahead: This crockpot cranberry sauce can be made ahead of time and frozen. Simply toss the frozen cranberry sauce into the slow cooker or a sauce pan to reheat when you are ready to eat it.
Spice it up: Spice up this homemade cranberry sauce with some warm spices like ginger, cardamom, clove, or nutmeg.
Add apples: Make a cinnamon apple cranberry sauce by adding 2 cored, peeled and chopped medium apples and 2 cinnamon sticks.
Add liquor: To add more depth of flavor to this slow cooker cranberry sauce, add a splash of Grand mariner, frangelico, whiskey, or even brandy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot, set the pressure cooker to the manual setting and adjust the pressure to high. Set the time for 4 minutes. Once it is finished cooking, let the pressure naturally release.

How can I adapt this recipe to stove top?

Put all of the ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the cranberries begin to pop, about 10 minutes. Use a fork to smash the berries as they pop. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.

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