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This Baked Cranberry Sauce is an easy and flavorful twist on the classic Thanksgiving side dish. It has a thick, jam-like consistency with the right balance of tartness and sweetness that pairs perfectly with the traditional flavors of the holiday season. All made in the oven with just four ingredients, there is no reason not to try this delicious take on cranberry sauce.

This Baked Cranberry Sauce recipe is an easy way to make a classic Thanksgiving side dish in the oven using 4 ingredients. It is thick, tart, and sweet. | aheadofthyme.com

A lot of holiday traditions start in the kitchen, and cranberry sauce is certainly a staple on Thanksgiving. This baked version is a simple upgrade from the canned and stovetop method. Baking cranberries allows them to burst and combine with orange juice and sugar to create a thicker sauce with complex flavors. It's certainly easier than making it on the stove as you don't have to monitor the cooking process, and you get a consistent texture every time. You literally can't go wrong with this recipe! It's sure to be one of the best parts of your Thanksgiving dinner.

Why You'll Love this Baked Cranberry Sauce

Extremely simple to make. With only four ingredients, this baked cranberry sauce is one of the easiest recipes you’ll make this Thanksgiving. All you have to do is mix all the ingredients in a baking dish and leave it to bake in the oven. No need to worry about boiling or stirring every few minutes!
Deep, complex flavor. Any cranberry sauce will have that natural tart flavor, but baking it in the oven concentrates and enhances those flavors, creating an incredibly richer and more complex flavor. Plus, it gets nice and thick like a jam, so it’s perfect for topping your favorite dishes or spreading on toast.
Make-ahead option. Bake this cranberry sauce in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for later use. You can even freeze it if you’re making a big batch. Serve it cold or warm, whichever way you like!
Versatile. This baked cranberry sauce is perfect for Thanksgiving, but it can also be used in other dishes like roasted meats, pastries, and desserts year-round. Top your toast, pancake, or ice cream with a dollop of this sauce, or mix in some to a smoothie or oatmeal bowl.

Ingredient Notes

To make this easy Baked Cranberry Sauce, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

orange juice - this adds a fresh tangy flavor that matches the tartness of cranberries. I prefer using fresh orange, but you can use bottled ones.
cranberries - I use fresh cranberries, but you can always use frozen.
granulated sugar - gives a sweet taste and a thick, syrupy texture to the sauce. You can also use brown sugar.
cinnamon - for a nice warm fall flavor.

You will also need measuring cups, 1 quart baking dish, and oven.

How to Make the Best Baked Cranberry Sauce

Combine ingredients. In a 1-quart baking dish, add orange juice, cranberries, sugar and cinnamon. Mix well to combine.

Bake. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a 350F preheated oven for 1 hour. Stir halfway through.

Mash. Remove from the oven and mash with the back of a spoon until all the sugar has dissolved and the syrupy cranberry sauce reaches desired consistency.

Chill. Let the sauce cool at room temperature. Then, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight.

Recipe Variations

Add nuts. For an added crunch with a nutty flavor, throw in some almonds, pecans, or walnuts after baking.
Add orange zest. If you’re using fresh orange, you don’t have to throw the peel away. Add in orange zest which brings a bright, zesty note to the sauce, complementing the tartness of cranberries.
Incorporate pears. Add pears for a juicy and slightly grainy texture and sauce, which can be used as a filling for pies or a side dish for mildly flavored meat. Simply incorporate the diced pears halfway through baking.
Use balsamic vinegar. Substitute orange juice with a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to make a sauce with more complex sweet and savory flavors. This perfectly complements a lot of roasted meats.
Flavor with bourbon. For a unique twist, add bourbon for a strong, woody, alcoholic note that blends well with the sweet, tart flavor of the cranberry sauce. Just be cautious when adding this to the sauce—only when it’s out of the oven and away from open flame.
Switch up the sugar. Replace half of the granulated sugar in the recipe with another sweetener to give your sauce a different sweetness profile. You can use honey for a smooth, floral sweetness or brown sugar for a deep, caramel-like flavor.
Experiment with spices. Swap cinnamon with other spices for a unique flavor and aroma. Cardamom will enhance the flavor of your sauce with its woody, citrusy notes while nutmeg gives an aromatic, warm flavor that makes your sauce extra special for the holiday.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious Baked Cranberry Sauce with Whole Roast Turkey, Homemade Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, and Oven Roasted Vegetables for Thanksgiving. Here are other great side dishes you can pair with it:

For more recipe inspiration, see our 50 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Cover it properly. To prevent the sauce from burning, cover the entire baking dish with aluminum foil while baking.
Adjust sugar. Change the amount of sugar to your liking. Taking away a few tablespoons of sugar from the recipe brings out the tartness of the sauce while adding more makes it sweeter. I find one cup of sugar to be the perfect balance for my taste. You can start with less and just add more sugar if needed after baking.
Get creative with leftovers. Don't throw away those leftovers! Instead use it to create something new like Cranberry Meatballs, Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins, or Cranberry Brie Bites. See more ideas in our 15 Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Let the cranberry sauce cool to temperature first, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

How to Reheat

I prefer serving cranberry sauce cold, but if you like it warm or hot, reheat it on the stovetop for a few minutes.

How to Freeze

Store the cranberry sauce in an airtight freezer bag or container and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

More Cranberry Recipes

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