Traeger Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Cranberry Sauce on the Traeger

Every fall, I buy a few extra bags of cranberries and put them in the freezer, since they're hard to find after the holidays. A few Thanksgivings ago, my oven was full and every burner was busy, but I still needed to make cranberry sauce. The Traeger was already set to 325°F, so I put the saucepan out there with the rest. It worked so well that I've made it this way ever since.

You don't have to thaw frozen cranberries for this homemade cranberry sauce, either. Just add them straight to the hot sugar syrup and they'll burst on their own. The grill's steady heat takes care of the slow cooking, so you only need to stir occasionally.

The sugar and water are mixed in equal amounts, which keeps the sauce from being too sweet and lets the tart flavor really shine. If you want a classic cranberry sauce with a hint of smoke, this is an easy way to make it.

If you're serving this with a Traeger Smoked Turkey, your grill is already hot and ready. If you're planning the whole meal, check out my Complete Thanksgiving Day Menu for more ideas!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• No Thawing Needed - You can add frozen cranberries straight to the pan, so this recipe works any time of year.
• Only 5 Ingredients - Sugar, water, orange juice, cranberries, and orange zest. Herbs are optional.
• Saves Stove Space - Since the saucepan finishes on the Traeger, you'll have more room on your stove, which is especially helpful on Thanksgiving.
• Make-Ahead Friendly - The flavor gets better after a day or two in the fridge.
• Jammy, Not Gloppy - This recipe gives you a thick whole berry cranberry sauce with tender pieces of fruit throughout.

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Recipe Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Frozen Cranberries - These burst easily and cook down into a thick sauce without thawing. You can use fresh cranberries too, but add 3 to 5 minutes to the cooking time.
• Sugar - This sweetens the sauce and helps it thicken. Using the same amount of water keeps the sauce from being too sweet.
• Water - It dissolves the sugar and makes the syrup that the cranberries cook in.
• Orange Juice - This adds a bit of citrus flavor. If you have lemon juice instead, that works too.
• Orange Zest - Stir this in at the end for a fresh citrus flavor. Lemon zest is also a good option.
• Fresh Rosemary or Thyme (Optional) - These add a light herby flavor. Use one small sprig of rosemary or two to three small sprigs of thyme, and take them out before serving.

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How To Make This Recipe

This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Preheat Traeger - Set your Traeger to 325°F and let it heat up with the lid closed.
2. Make Syrup - In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, water, and orange juice until the sugar dissolves and the mixture gently boils.

3. Add Cranberries - Stir in the frozen cranberries. If you're using herbs, add them now.

4. Cook - Place the saucepan on the grill, close the lid, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally until most of the berries have burst and the sauce starts to thicken.

5. Finish & Cool - Remove the pan from the grill and take out any herb sprigs. Stir in the orange zest, then let the sauce cool to room temperature. It will continue thickening as it cools.

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Tips For The Best Cranberry Sauce

• Check the thickness after the sauce cools. It looks thin when hot, but the natural pectin in cranberries sets as it cools, so wait before deciding if it's thick enough.
• Use a heat-safe saucepan. Choose one with a metal handle that can handle 325°F on the grill, such as stainless steel or cast iron.
• Stir in the zest at the end. Adding it after cooking keeps the orange flavor bright and fresh.
• Remove the herbs before serving. Take out rosemary and thyme sprigs so they don't keep adding flavor to the sauce.
• Adjust the citrus to your taste. The orange juice and zest add a citrus note, but you can leave them out for a milder flavor.

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Recipe FAQ

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Serving Suggestions

This sauce is perfect for turkey, but it's also great with smoked ham, roasted pork, or on a leftover sandwich.

For more side dish ideas, take a look at my list of Traeger Side Dishes.

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