Thanksgiving Cranberry Wine Sauce

Elevate your Thanksgiving feast with this irresistible Cranberry Wine Sauce, a sophisticated twist on the holiday classic. Made with fresh, vibrant cranberries simmered in dry red wine, this sauce balances sweet and tangy notes with festive spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. A hint of orange zest and juice adds a citrusy brightness, while its luscious texture—customizable to be chunky or smooth—pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, ham, and hearty sides. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet masterpiece that will impress your guests. Serve it warm, chilled, or at room temperature for the perfect addition to your holiday table.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.125 tsp ground nutmeg
• 0.125 tsp sea salt

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water and discard any that are bruised or soft.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the red wine, granulated sugar, orange juice, orange zest, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and sea salt. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes.

Step 3

Add the cranberries to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the mixture cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have softened and burst. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 5

Use the back of a spoon to gently mash some of the cranberries against the side of the pot for a chunkier texture. For a smoother sauce, use a potato masher or immersion blender to achieve desired consistency.

Step 6

Continue simmering the sauce for an additional 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Step 7

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. Transfer to a serving dish or airtight container.

Step 8

Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside your Thanksgiving spread. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to one week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(798.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1129.1

Total Fat 0.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 308.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 250.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.2g	0%
Total Sugars 217.6g
Protein 1.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 54.7mg	0%
Iron 1.7mg	0%
Potassium 609.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 0.5%

Protein: 0.7%

Carbs: 98.8%