Cranberry Jalapeno Sauce

Sweet and spicy, this best-ever cranberry jalapeno sauce may be your new family-favorite side dish recipe. 

In just about 15 minutes and five simple ingredients, you can take a classic homemade cranberry sauce recipe and turn it into one of the most surprisingly tasty side dishes that pairs perfectly with leftover turkey dinner. 

Why you will love this holiday side dish!

Jalapeno Cranberries bring a delicious festive flair as an ultimate side dish for holiday meals. Skip the canned cranberry sauce and use fresh jalapenos for a serious depth of flavor. With only a handful of ingredients, your family gatherings and leftover turkey sandwiches will have new life.

Cranberry Jalapeno Sauce Ingredients:

• granulated white sugar
• whole fresh cranberries (not frozen)
• jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
• lemon juice
• cooking sherry

How to make Cranberry Jalapeno Sauce.

1. Add water and sugar to a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat.
2. Bring mixture to a boil, frequently stirring until sugar is dissolved.
3. Add in cranberries, peppers, lemon juice, and sherry.
4. Mix well and continue to heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

5. Cranberries will pop, and the mixture will boil.
6. Cook for 10 minutes or until all berries are popped open.
7. Remove from heat and let stand to cool. The mixture will thicken as it cools.
8. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How to serve Jalapeno and Cranberry Sauce!

• Christmas Side Dish – I think it goes without saying that tasty side dishes are the star! This dialed-up version of cranberries will bring a slightly sweet and spicy take to a classic side that typically sits on your holiday table. 

• On top of Turkey and Ham – Cranberry sauce makes a fantastic cranberry relish that can be used as a topper to bring some moisture and new flavor to turkey (leftover and otherwise). The flavors of Cranberry Jalapeno Sauce also go well with ham and pork. 

• Crusty Bread – Toast and top crusty french bread with fresh cranberry sauce. 

• As a topper to a dip – One of our favorite appetizer recipes on the site is cranberry cream cheese dip. This fantastic dip makes a splash for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The great thing is that you can change up our regular cream cheese block topper for this Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce version (with or without pecans). 

Related Holiday Side Dish Recipes

Nothing says the holidays like having the perfect side dish. While we love and encourage unique side dishes, we are also pretty keen on keeping the classics on the table. Here are our best NO FAIL holiday recipes to get you started. 

Green Bean Casserole Recipe– There are many green bean casserole options, but my favorite is this from-scratch homemade green bean casserole with heavy whipping cream sauce and whole (not canned) green beans.

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe – This crock pot thanksgiving sweet potato casserole is the one I make in my own house every holiday. Easy to add to a slow cooker, this sweet potato casserole is smothered in all the good stuff – brown sugar, marshmallows, and pecans. 

Corn Casserole Recipe – It’s not a holiday without this sweet corn casserole! Rated by our readers as a top recipe, this must-have side dish will not disappoint you.

Homemade Yeast Rolls Recipe – Do not let homemade yeast rolls intimidate you. This step-by-step recipe will have you eating your creation in under an hour. This recipe is made for beginners!