“Wow” your Thanksgiving guests with this delicious Cranberry, Apple and Pomegranate Sauce that can be made in less than 20 minutes.
I learned many years ago that the easiest way to impress your guests at Thanksgiving is by making your own cranberry sauce. “Really?! You made this? Was it hard?” are the questions that inevitably crop up as soon as they taste the first bite.
While I’m tempted to claim that cranberry sauce requires a high level of culinary knowledge, that would be an outright lie, as it is arguably the easiest and quickest part of the Thanksgiving feast. Plus, it can be made several days in advance.
I’m not sure what it is about cranberry sauce that intimidates people, and I include my younger self in that category. Surely something that is sold in cans or as a holiday offering at specialty would be difficult and time consuming to make. Because of this misconception, I relish in the joy of teaching someone to make the holiday sauce because they are always…always…surprised that it comes together in 15 minutes.
While cranberry sauce lends itself to many different mix-ins and flavor profiles, such as cranberry sauce with tart cherries or cranberry sauce with port wine, the basic principles are the same each and every time. Place the fresh cranberries in a saucepan with some liquid (such as water or orange juice), and stir in some sort of sweetener (such as maple sauce, brown sugar or agave nectar). Bring to a boil then simmer for 15 minutes until the cranberries pop. That’s it!
In this version, I cooked chunks of apple alongside the cranberries, sweetening the mixture with maple syrup. Once the sauce is cooked, mix in the pomegranate arils (see How to: Pomegranate) for an extra level of tangy sweet flavor and a fun “pop” when eating the sauce.
Now it’s your turn to impress your guests!
#EatSeasonal
#EatSeasonal is the brainchild of my friend Becky of The Vintage Mixer , who has pulled together a group of bloggers to post seasonal recipes each month, using her produce guide as inspiration.
There’s a fantastic variety of recipes, some sweet and some savory, as you can see in the collage below, all inspired by produce that is fresh and seasonal in November. For more seasonal recipe inspiration, follow the #EatSeasonal hashtag on Instagram.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I’ll be sure to find it.
Easy Cranberry, Apple & Pomegranate Sauce Recipe
“Wow” your Thanksgiving guests with this delicious Cranberry, Apple and Pomegranate Sauce that can be made in less than 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 12 oz. fresh cranberries
- 1 large Gala apple, peeled & cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
Directions
- In a medium saucepan, stir together the cranberries, apple, water and maple syrup.
- Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cranberries pop, stirring frequently.
- Transfer to a bowl, stir in the pomegranate arils and cool completely.
- Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Nov 9, 2015 at 9:09 amHomemade cranberry sauce is THE BEST! It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it. Love the jewel colored pomegranate seeds in here!
marcie says
Nov 9, 2015 at 9:19 amI used to be intimidated by homemade cranberry sauce too, but now it’s so fun finding new twists every year. There’s something so special about it when it’s homemade to me, and I’m loving your version with the pomegranate and apples!
Melissa @ Bless this Mess says
Nov 9, 2015 at 10:23 amEeeee! I’ve been on the hunt for a healthier cranberry sauce using fresh berries and this looks like a total winner. The apple for sweetness is such a smart idea!
Letty / Letty's Kitchen says
Nov 9, 2015 at 11:58 amCranberry sauce with the pomegranates thrown in at the last minute! Maple syrup! Apples! I’m in!
becky says
Nov 9, 2015 at 7:47 pmI’m all about make ahead cranberry sauce recipes and I’m a huge fan of pomegranates too! Isn’t it so funny that people are so impressed by homemade cranberry sauce and it’s one of the easiest parts of the holiday meal!!
kelley says
Nov 9, 2015 at 9:14 pmI’m all about homemade cranberry sauce while most of my family prefers the canned stuff. I always make a batch anyway and am happy to have all the leftovers to myself!
Amy Stafford says
Nov 10, 2015 at 6:38 amWhat a great idea to add apples to your cranberry sauce. Natural sweetener and thickener.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Nov 10, 2015 at 3:56 pmSome of the simplest recipes can be the most impressive. I love all the flavors you used here, SO much better than the canned stuff.
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
Nov 10, 2015 at 5:35 pmI love that you’ve thrown pomegranate arils and apple into this cranberry sauce! It totally takes things up a notch!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Nov 10, 2015 at 7:35 pmGreat idea!! I actually mixed pear into my cranberry sauce this year (Thanksgiving must be a bit confusing for a former Canadian, haha. An by former I mean still Canadian living abroad!)
Michelle at A Dish of Daily Life says
Nov 10, 2015 at 9:16 pmHomemade cranberry sauce is so much better than the alternative. I love the addition of apple and pomegranate! I’d definitely like to try this!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Nov 11, 2015 at 10:27 amMy family loves homemade cranberry sauce! And I think they’ll love this version with apple and pomegranate! Thanks for sharing!
Cathy Trochelman says
Nov 11, 2015 at 2:42 pmI love making homemade cranberry sauce, and I especially love all the fun you can have with it! What a fabulous flavor combo you have here!
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
Nov 11, 2015 at 7:38 pmCranberry sauce is one of my favorite things – and I can finally use Elise’s pom trick we learned in Tahoe to make this!!
jeanette says
Nov 13, 2015 at 10:37 amCan this cranberry, apple, pomegranate sauce be made now, jarred, refidgerated and used for Christmas???
K. Shilling says
Nov 25, 2015 at 1:44 pmJust made this yummy recipe for Thanksgiving tomorrow. 1) I have never made homemade cranberry sauce,always came out of a can. 2) I have never tasted a Pomegranate seeds,let alone cut into a pomegranate! I had so much fun fixing this recipe. I do have to say I ended up adding some brown sugar because it was still too tart to my liking,. About 1/4 of a cup and it is delicious!!!!!
Comprar New Era says
Nov 29, 2015 at 4:14 amPor calmando que Área de que la mente que va un poco demasiado rápido antes de que pruebas,Thomas Sabo Joyería, la otra mente estarán clara de los preguntas y problemas que como para que pueda. Eso debería asegúrese de no cuando usted realmente necesita esfuerzo adecuado en se emplean en su máxima capacidad.Los mejores artículos de Internet | 15 de enero 2007 Si i iniciada en el desarrollo web comunidad que tenía algunos jugadores clave I Los miró
Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says
Dec 13, 2017 at 9:11 amDefinitely your cranberry apple pomegranate sauce recipe is awesomeness! This is a great recipe Dara, as you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely, in fact have made it again since. Thanks for sharing!
Julia Stearns @ Healthirony says
Mar 25, 2019 at 3:25 amThat cranberry apple pomegranate sauce recipe is incredible! I’m seriously so inspired right now.