Put a new twist on this classic with apple cider cranberry sauce. This easy recipe can be made in about half an hour on the stove top.

My oldest son is a very picky eater. When he was 7 to 10, he ate 7 different foods. He was even brand specific as far as most foods were concerned.

Imagine my surprise when he ate cranberry sauce at a family Thanksgiving dinner. I couldn't believe it!

How to make apple cider cranberry sauce. This easy recipe uses fresh cranberries and apple cider. It's sweet and perfect for Thanksgiving or any day. This is a great make ahead side dish for turkey, chicken, or ham. Give a new twist to traditional cranberry sauce. This simple recipe is an easy homemade side dish. Also includes uses for cranberry sauce. #thanksgiving #recipe #cranberry #cranberrysauce

When a kid is that much of a picky eater, you let them eat new foods, even if they aren't the healthiest.

He's 17-years-old now and eats a few more foods, but he's still a picky eater. Most canned cranberry sauce is made with high fructose corn syrup, which is typically a no-no in my house. My younger son has hyperactivity problems with HFCS, and it's not very healthy.

So I started making my own cranberry sauce. It's so easy to make, I'm not sure why I waited to long to make it.

Last year, I put a spin on the classic cranberry sauce and made this apple cider cranberry sauce. It's a nice change from the traditional recipe. The apple cider gives it a little different flavor.

Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce Recipe

I buy fresh cranberries when they are on sale to make this apple cider cranberry sauce. You can freeze them in the plastic bag or in a freezer container up to 12 months, so stock up when the price is good.

Cranberries grow in the northern part of America. They are considered a superfood due to their antioxidants and nutrients.

Cranberries are often the first natural remedy people try for urinary tract infections. They are also said to lower blood pressure, support the immune system, and help prevent certain types of cancer.

Cranberries have the following vitamins and minerals:

calclum
iron
magnesium
phosphorus
potassiim
zinc
folate
vitamin C
vitamin E
vitamin K
vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B6

With all of those vitamins and minerals, you can see why I was thrilled that he would eat cranberry sauce!

Can Homemade Cranberry Sauce Be Frozen?

This cranberry sauce freezes wonderfully. Use freezer containers to freeze in smaller portions for a few months. Get it out the night before and set it in the fridge.

Check out this post on what foods can be frozen.

What Do You Eat Cranberry Sauce With?

Anything according to my kids! It's sometimes used as a relish or to make a sauce. I use it for my cranberry baked ham.

You can also use it to make desserts like cranberry bars or in muffins.

How Do You Make Cranberry Sauce Less Tart?

After the cranberries have burst, you can test for sweetness. Get a spoonful and let it cool. Test it and then add more sugar as needed. You can also add a pinch of salt to cut the bitterness and boost the sweetness.

How Do You Know Cranberry Sauce Is Done?

If it's the first time you've made cranberry sauce, it can be difficult to judge when it's done. The natural pectin in cranberries is what thickens it.

It should be thick like a jam when it's done. If you don't cook it long enough, the pectin won't work and it will be thin. Simmering it also evaporates some of the water so it thickens.

Be careful not to overcook it though. It will get too thick and turn into a mushy mess.

Can I Make Cranberry Sauce Before Thanksgiving?

Yes! Make this a few days before Thanksgiving or even freeze it a few weeks before to get a jump start on Thanksgiving.

More delicious recipe you may like:

Ingredients

12 ounce bag cranberries
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup apple cider

Directions

Step 1

Add the cranberries, water, sugar, and apple cider to a medium sized pan. Heat over medium heat.

Step 2

Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 25 minutes. Stir frequently so the cranberries fall apart. It will thicken as it cooks.

Step 3

Let cool to room temperature and serve.

Step 4

To make jellied cranberry sauce, strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl. Use a wooden spoon to push down the berries so the berry skins are left in the sieve and the sauce is in the bowl. Scrap the sieve to get the last of the sauce into the bowl.