Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce makes a meal a party. A super easy recipe that cooks in 15 minutes and thickens beautifully when chilled. Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner menus, and a whole lot more (tips and recipe ideas included).
Homemade cranberry sauce is always a star at any holiday meal!
It is the EASIEST recipe to make for Thanksgiving. It’s a perfect assignment for kids old enough to cook!
It only takes a handful of ingredients, cooks in 15 minutes and is always better than store-bought cranberry sauce.
This recipe kicks it up a notch in the flavor department.
Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors. It’s brings excitement to any dish it’s paired with.
It will be the talk of your Thanksgiving table!
Spicy Cranberry Sauce
As much as I love Thanksgiving food there can be a bit of a bland flavor about it all.
I like to include something with some spiciness.
Maybe it’s in my mind but I feel like it perks up the digestion and my palate too.
Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce is a delicious mix of sweet, savory and spicy flavors that are irresistible.
The end recipe is sweet and sassy!
Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce
This recipe can be made the day before using.
A ‘make ahead’ option on busy holiday cook days is always a great find!
The flavors may even be better when it is make a day ahead!
Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce Ingredients
This recipe includes classic cranberry sauce ingredients as well as a spicy touch!
- Jalapeno Peppers
- Kosher Salt
- Light Brown Sugar
- Granulated White Sugar
- Orange Juice
- Water
- Orange Zest
- Fresh Cranberries
Buying Cranberries
Cranberries are usually only available around the winter holidays.
Stock up on some bags of cranberries when they are available and freeze them!
Then you can enjoy cranberry recipes all year long.
I put multiple bags in a few 1-gallon plastic zip-seal bag and freeze them. I can remove individual bags of cranberries and use them whenever the mood strikes.
PRO TIP: Removing Seeds from Jalapeno Peppers
I developed a trick to easily removing seeds from Jalapeno peppers. It’s fast but still requires precaution when handling spicy peppers
Wash hands thoroughly after handling peppers or wear some food safe gloves (rubber, vinyl, latex) when handling hot peppers.
The oils from spicy peppers can stay on hands long after touching or cutting peppers even if hands are washed.
If you touch your eyes or nose you will feel a burning sensation.
STEP 1: Slice the pepper lengthwise
STEP 2: Insert the rounded end of a small dining spoon underneath the white membrane and seeds at the top of the pepper.
STEP 3: Keep the curved back of the spoon flush with the inside wall of the pepper. Push the spoon up toward the stem end of the pepper, releasing the membrane and seeds.
STEP 4: Turn the spoon over and using the pointed end again scrape out (and discard) and remaining seeds.
How to make Cranberry Sauce – Step-by-Step
There are many great things about this recipe.
One of the best in my opinion is how easy it is to make! It’s fast too.
For a detailed printable recipe refer to the recipe card at the end of the blog post.
STEP 1: In a large saucepan combine all ingredients EXCEPT the cranberries. Bring to simmer and add the cranberries.
STEP 2: Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. NOTE: the cranberries will pop during cooking.
STEP 3: Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Transfer to a sealed container and fully chill.
NOTE: the sauce will thicken as it cools.
Storing Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Can Cranberry Sauce be Frozen?
Yes! Put it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
How to use leftover Cranberry Sauce
This recipe is great for so many dishes, not just a holiday meal relish!
- I’ve been making grilled cheese sandwiches on my Griddler with this spicy jalapeno cranberry sauce. Add grated cheese on your favorite bread, some cranberry sauce, more cheese and a second slice of bread.
- Quesadillas are another great way to use both leftover cranberry sauce and turkey.
- It is fantastic on the top of baked brie as an appetizer.
- Spread it on toast.
- Top a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream with it.
- Put some in your smoothies.
This recipe is too good to only eat with holiday meals!
More Cranberry Recipes
More Cranberry Recipes- Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Slow Cooker Cranberry-Pear Sauce with Ginger
- Spicy Honey Cranberry Sauce
- Cranberry Salsa: an Easy Holiday Appetizer You’ll Love!
- Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Party Appetizer
- Cranberry Apple Hot Toddy
Try these Thanksgiving Recipes too!
- Au Gratin Potatoes with Green Chilies
- Easy Roast Turkey recipe
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Chipotle Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
- Ginger Pear Pie
- Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes in Mason Jars
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Recipe
Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Jalapeno Peppers seeded and diced
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 cup Orange Juice
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/2 teaspoon Orange Zest
- 12 ounces Cranberries
Instructions
- In a large saucepan combine the jalapeno peppers, salt, sugars, orange juice, water and orange zest. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and add the cranberries.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring periodically (cranberries will pop while cooking). Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Transfer to a sealed container and fully chill. NOTE: the sauce will thicken as it cools.
Nutrition
Originally published: November 9, 2017
Naomi says
I’m right in there with the other commenters; this stuff is delicious! Of course I used your recipe as a base for my own modifications: All water (had no orange juice or orange zest) and adding 10 drops of sweet orange essential oil to the finished product after cooling, and half palm sugar and half monkfruit/erythritol sweetener. It doesn’t have enough heat for my taste so next time will add another pepper. I love the suggestion above about serving it over a brick of cream cheese, and there are so many other uses for the wonderful concoction. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Toni Dash says
Thanks Naomi for your kind comment and sharing your modifications! Jalapeño peppers can vary incredibly in heat as you may know. They can be mild or pretty spicy and it can be difficult to tell pepper to pepper. Definitely taste and adapt to your preference!
Brenda says
I made this to go with our Christmas ham. You’re right, it is easy! I used regular brown sugar and a sugar substitute for the white sugar. The taste was delicious! We couldn’t get enough of it. Saving this recipe for next year. Move over mustard, this is our new ham condiment. Thank you.
Toni Dash says
I’m so glad to hear this Brenda! I love that little bit of heat. Also love knowing your modifications. Sound delish.
Gloria says
Can this be put into canning jars and sealed for later use?
Toni Dash says
Hi Gloria. The recipe was not developed specifically FOR canning and to evaluate if it would work I suggest consulting your favorite canning resource for the type of canning you’d like to do (water bath or pressure). Happy holidays!
Dixie says
The prep time says 1 hour, 20 minutes. Shouldn’t it be just 20 minutes? I almost passed over the recipe description when I saw the time required to make it.
Toni Dash says
That includes the time it takes for the cranberry sauce to fully chill and set (an hour estimated). I’ve updated the recipe card to make that clearer! Thanks Dixie!
BJ says
Can this recipe be water bath canned?
Toni Dash says
Hi BJ. I don’t know. I have never tried to can it honestly. You’d need to research that and if the recipe would need to be changed to can it. I did a quick Google search for you and found this which might be helpful (it does indicate cranberry sauce COULD be canned but I don’t know if this recipe in particular can).
It can be frozen!
Carolina navarro says
The cranberry salsa recipe looks awesome! YUM! We are already thinking about next thanksgiving–we’re going to invite even more people and do baja turkey tacos, this way we can premake the salsas and guacs and picos the day before and party with the guests day of while the turkey cooks 🙂
Carolina navarro says
My boyfriend is from mexico and doesnt get excited about thanksgiving so this year we are doing a ‘caliente’ thanksgiving! I made this recipe only i put all orange juice for liquid and all light brown sugar for sweetener as well as leaving the seeds in…omg! Incredible! And fiery!! I cant stop eating it! There needs to be a cocktail with this concoction! With a cool name…lol. hope its this good tomorrow when it cools off.
Toni Dash says
I’m so happy to get your comment! I love it too and feel it wakes up the tastebuds and digestion with all the usual heavy Thanksgiving dishes! Happy holidays!
Toni Dash says
Carolina you might also like this Cranberry Salsa too.
Roz says
So happy to see this recipe on your site! I put mine over cream cheese and make it a dipped appetizer 🙂
Toni Dash says
Wow! That sounds fantastic Roz!
Julie Blanner says
WOW! Game changer for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to add this to the menu.
Eden says
Jalapeno is a GAME CHANGER! Who knew that it would make it even better! Loved this recipe!