“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!
Printable Recipe
Easy Cranberry, Apple & Pomegranate Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz. fresh cranberries
- 1 large Gala apple peeled & cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup water
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup pomegranate arils
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Julia Stearns @ Healthirony
That cranberry apple pomegranate sauce recipe is incredible! I'm seriously so inspired right now.
Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky
Definitely 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!
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K. Shilling
Just 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!!!!!
jeanette
Can this cranberry, apple, pomegranate sauce be made now, jarred, refidgerated and used for Christmas???
Megan {Country Cleaver}
Cranberry sauce is one of my favorite things - and I can finally use Elise's pom trick we learned in Tahoe to make this!!
Cathy Trochelman
I 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!
Andi @ The Weary Chef
My family loves homemade cranberry sauce! And I think they'll love this version with apple and pomegranate! Thanks for sharing!
Michelle at A Dish of Daily Life
Homemade cranberry sauce is so much better than the alternative. I love the addition of apple and pomegranate! I'd definitely like to try this!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
Great 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!)
Justine | Cooking and Beer
I love that you've thrown pomegranate arils and apple into this cranberry sauce! It totally takes things up a notch!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Some of the simplest recipes can be the most impressive. I love all the flavors you used here, SO much better than the canned stuff.
Amy Stafford
What a great idea to add apples to your cranberry sauce. Natural sweetener and thickener.
kelley
I'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!
becky
I'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!!
Letty / Letty's Kitchen
Cranberry sauce with the pomegranates thrown in at the last minute! Maple syrup! Apples! I'm in!
Melissa @ Bless this Mess
Eeeee! 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!
marcie
I 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!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Homemade cranberry sauce is THE BEST! It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it. Love the jewel colored pomegranate seeds in here!