Cranberry sauce is a holiday essential on my Thanksgiving table. This bright, tangy Cranberry-Pineapple Sauce balances tart cranberries with naturally sweet pineapple, allowing you to use less added sugar while keeping a lively flavor. It’s quick to prepare, can be made a day ahead, and pairs beautifully with turkey, roasted pork, or even as a spread for sandwiches and appetizers.
Cranberry-Pineapple Sauce
This simple sauce captures the classic tartness of cranberries softened by crushed pineapple and a touch of sugar (or agave). Because the pineapple provides natural sweetness and moisture, you can reduce the amount of added sugar without sacrificing flavor. Make it the night before Thanksgiving so the flavors have time to meld and the sauce firms up to the perfect, spoonable consistency.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Bright, well-balanced flavor: tart cranberries and sweet pineapple create a pleasing contrast.
- Lower added sugar option: pineapple reduces the need for excessive sweetener.
- Versatile: serve with turkey, pork, cheeses, or spread on sandwiches.
- Make-ahead friendly: chilling overnight improves texture and depth of flavor.
Details
- Prep time: 5 mins
- Cook time: 15 mins
- Chill time: 6 hours (recommended)
- Total time: about 6 hours 20 mins (including chill)
- Serving size: 1/4 cup
Ingredients
- 8 oz fresh cranberries
- 20 oz can pineapple in pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup sugar (or agave for a less refined sweetener)
Instructions
- Drain the liquid from the canned pineapple into a measuring cup. Add water if needed so the total liquid equals 1 cup.
- Combine the pineapple liquid and the sugar (or agave) in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- While the liquid heats, chop the cranberries finely using a food processor or a chopper. You can also roughly chop them by hand if you prefer a chunkier texture.
- Add the chopped cranberries to the boiling liquid and stir well. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens—about 10 minutes. The cranberries will burst and release their juices, creating a vibrant sauce.
- Pulse the drained pineapple in a food processor until crushed but not completely smooth. Stir the crushed pineapple into the cranberry mixture and cook for an additional minute to combine flavors.
- Remove the pan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to let the sauce set and the flavors develop.
Storage and make-ahead
Keep the cranberry-pineapple sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. It also freezes well for longer storage—portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Serving suggestions
- Traditional: Serve alongside roasted or carved turkey.
- Alternative pairings: Try with roasted pork, grilled chicken, or as a complement to a cheese board.
- Leftovers: Spread on sandwiches, mix into yogurt or oatmeal, or use as a topping for pancakes or waffles.
Nutrition (per 1/4 cup)
- Calories: 54.5 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Sugar: 12 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
Tips and variations
- Adjust sweetness: Start with 1/3 cup sugar or agave, then taste after the cranberries have cooked and add a little more if you prefer it sweeter.
- Texture choices: For a smoother sauce, pulse the cooked cranberry mixture briefly in a food processor. For a chunkier, rustic sauce, chop cranberries coarsely and lightly crush the pineapple.
- Flavor boosts: Stir in a splash of orange juice or a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for warming spice notes—add sparingly so it doesn’t overpower the fruit.
- Reduced-sugar option: Use a natural sweetener like agave, or reduce the sugar and increase crushed pineapple slightly for natural sweetness.
Final note
This Cranberry-Pineapple Sauce is an easy, flavorful way to bring a lighter-sweet cranberry option to your holiday table. Preparing it ahead of time saves day-of stress and lets the flavors meld into a bright, balanced sauce everyone will enjoy.