Elevated Apple Cranberry Sauce (with Port Wine)

Name: Elevated Apple Cranberry Sauce (with Port Wine)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup granulated sugar; 12 oz cranberries (fresh); 2 apples (peeled, cored and thinly sliced); ¼ teaspoon sea salt; ½ cup ruby port wine; 1 large orange (zested and juiced)

Take your same-old cranberry sauce to a new level! With tangy red berries, sweet apples, and a pop of citrus, this Apple Cranberry Sauce with Port Wine is delightfully tart, sweet, and unique. No doubt, it’s the sophisticated condiment for all your holiday dinner needs!

Jump to Recipe

A small white bowl filled with cranberry sauce, fresh cranberries, and lemon wedges.

Why This Recipe Works

You’ve never had cranberry sauce as rich and delicious as this apple cranberry sauce with port wine! It’s a must-have around the holidays (and yes, you can make it ahead and freeze it, saving yourself time during the holiday hustle).

Fresh cranberries, apples, orange juice, and zest provide a natural balance of flavors, while port wine adds a luxurious depth. Plus, sliced apples add texture and substance that’s more than welcome on top of the Thanksgiving turkey, stuffed into brie puff pastry pockets, or served next to the mashed potatoes.

Best of all? It’s ready in just 15 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to focus on entertaining your guests. The leftovers can be used on sandwiches, baked into quick breads or dessert bars, or even added to a holiday charcuterie board. Trust me, this cranberry sauce will have everyone asking for the recipe!

close up on a small white bowl filled with red cranberry sauce topped with fresh cranberries and lemon wedges

Ingredients

Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are best when making homemade cranberry sauce, but frozen cranberries will work as well.
Apples: Any kind of apple you love will work in this recipe. Think Ambrosia, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for a sweet, crisp bite. If you prefer a touch more tartness, Granny Smith apples are a great choice
Ruby Port Wine: This sweet fortified wine is easy to find and often inexpensive. With notes of red berries and a velvety richness, ruby port adds an elegant depth to the sauce.
Orange: Both the zest and juice of fresh oranges add brightness and sweetness, balancing out the cranberries’ tartness.
Sugar: Sugar is essential to counterbalance the tart cranberries and enhance the sauce’s sweetness. For a more caramel-like flavor, swap it with brown sugar (light or dark).

individual white bowls filled with chopped apples, sugar, fresh cranberries, and port wine.

Instructions

Melt the Sugar: Heat the sugar in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Leave it alone to melt. After a few minutes, it will turn into a rich caramel color.
Cook the Cranberries: Add the cranberries and salt to the same pan and stir to combine. Cook until the cranberries soften.
Add the Rest: Stir in the sliced apples and leave them to cook for a few minutes. Pour the port wine in and lower the heat. Finally, add the orange zest and juice, then let it all simmer so the cranberries and apples can break down slightly.
Store or serve: Once your apple cranberry sauce is thick, serve it right away or keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat!

cooking cranberries and sugar in a saucepan.

cooking apples, cranberries, liquid, and orange zest in a skillet.

Substitutions & Variations

Apples: Incorporate pears instead of apples for an equally festive flavor and similar texture.
Oranges: For a slightly more complex flavor, try using blood oranges if they’re in season.
Port: For a non-alcoholic version, use red grape juice, cranberry juice, or orange juice.
Low Sugar: While I don’t recommend omitting all of the sugar from this recipe, you can use honey or maple syrup instead of some of the white sugar.
Spiced: Simmer the cranberry sauce with a cinnamon stick or fresh ginger for a warm, extra festive note.
Add-Ins: Feel free to stir in lemon zest, ground cinnamon, berries, pecans, or raisins.
Keto: To make this recipe keto-friendly, omit the wine and orange juice and replace the sugar with granulated erythritol.

Storing & Reheating

As I said, this apple cranberry sauce with port wine stores well and can be easily reheated whenever you need a festive condiment!

Fridge: Store the sauce in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
Freezer: You can also keep this sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Make sure it’s fully cooled before closing the lid and freezing it.
Reheating: Cranberry sauce is delicious chilled, but to serve it warm, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until it’s ready.

Expert Tips

Uniform Apple Slices: Slice your apples as evenly as possible to ensure consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming too mushy.
Caramelize Carefully: Watch the sugar closely while it melts to prevent burning, which can impart a bitter taste to the sauce.
Control the Thickness: If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it longer to reduce the liquid. For a thinner consistency, add a splash of water or extra port wine.

small white bowl filled with red cranberry sauce topped with fresh cranberries and lemon wedges.

FAQs

What other wines work well in this recipe?

You can replace the ruby port wine with another fruity red wine, like a Chianti, Merlot, or Zinfandel.

Should it be served warm or cold?

Cranberry sauce can be served chilled or fresh off the stove. I particularly love this apple cranberry sauce served warm, which brings out the rich flavors of the port wine.

How far in advance can I make this cranberry sauce?

This apple cranberry sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and serve it cold, room temperature, or warmed up.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your apple cranberry sauce with all the usual Thanksgiving and Christmas suspects! Here are some of my favorites:

Did you try this Apple Cranberry Sauce with Port Wine? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below and giving this recipe a rating! Don’t forget to take a picture tag me on Instagram or use #lenaskitchenblog to be featured in my stories! I love seeing what you come up with!