There is nothing more quintessentially Thanksgiving than turkey with cranberry sauce, and several years ago I set out to find the very best recipe. I tweaked it a few times and ended up with this cranberry sauce recipe that we have been making every year since. The apples, walnuts, and fresh cranberries add the most wonderful flavor and texture to the cranberry sauce and it truly is delicious. Plus, it is my mom's favorite- she eats it straight by the spoonful- so you know it is good. 🙂
This recipe takes just 10 minutes and is so quick and easy. It is an effortless way to make Thanksgiving a little extra special. The richness of the brown sugar, the sweet texture of the apples, and the tartness of the cranberries mixed with a little subtle nuttiness of the toasted walnuts is such a winning combination. Pecans are also delicious in this recipe if you want to give them a try. It is also yummy to add a little orange zest if you want to add even more flavor.
Apple Walnut Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 granny smith apples peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts toasted (see below)
Instructions
-
Rinse cranberries and pour into a large saucepan. Add water and cook on medium high heat until cranberries come to a simmer. Cranberries will begin to pop open and make the most delicious sound. Add sugars and apples and simmer for 5-7 more minutes or until apples soften. You want them to be softened, but not mushy. Remove from heat and stir in roasted walnuts. Refrigerate and serve cooled. Cranberry sauce sets up and gels more as it cools.
Recipe Notes
To toast nuts- chop and lay out evenly on a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 3 minutes, stirring every minute.
I'm telling you that making cranberry sauce at home, instead of buying it from the can, is a total game changer. People in my family who don't even like regular cranberry sauce love this recipe.
I have a feeling you will love it too!
Here are a dozen more delicious tried and true Thanksgiving side dish recipes from our families to yours! Stay tuned for more delicious recipes from our Tastes of the Season Holiday Series. We are sharing our very best ones!
Apple Walnut Cranberry Sauce by Ella Claire | Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole by Nesting with Grace | Herb and Garlic Roasted Carrots by Craftberry Bush | Bacon Green Beans by anderson + grant | Pumpkin & Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes by My Sweet Savannah
Sweet Potato Pie by City Farmhouse | Sweet Cornbread by Nina Hendrick Design Co. | Sally Lunn Bread by House 214 | Cranberry & Brie Bites by Finding Home Farms | Avocado Bacon Butternut Salad with Pumpkin Vinaigrette by Nest of Posies
Cranberry Pretzel Salad by Zevy Joy | Sweet & Savory Cornbread by Julie Blanner | Roasted Carrots with Candied Pecans & Goat Cheese by Inspired by Charm
Debbie L
This was a great starting point for me.... It reminded me of a mostly uncooked favorite of mine! I tweaked it a bit by adding a pinch or 2 of ginger powder and cinnamon, a couple teaspoons of candied ginger, some vanilla and cooked it in apple cider, instead of water and also cut back the sugar by maybe a 1/3c. It is DELISH! Thanks for the inspiration! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Debbie L
This is a great foundation recipe for me... sounded similar to a mostly uncooked version of one of my favorite so had to give it a try! I added a pinch of ginger power, cinnamon powder, little vanilla, about a tsp of candied ginger pieces and boiled it in apple cider, instead of water and cut the sugar back by about a third! DELISH! Thanks for the inspo!
Have a wonderful thanksgiving!!
Julie Blanner
So gorgeous on a Thanksgiving table! Love the addition of the apples and walnuts, looks like a must-try. Thanks for sharing!