Slow Cooker Bourbon Cranberry Sauce


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Add some pizzaz to your homemade cranberry sauce by adding bourbon and orange flavors! Let the slow cooker simmer away while you make the rest of your holiday recipes.

Try my classic slow cooker cranberry sauce recipe if you are looking for a standard cranberry sauce without alcohol in it.

bourbon cranberry sauce on spoon
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Can cranberry sauce be made in a slow cooker?

Yes! Cranberry sauce is one of the best things you can make in a slow cooker. I’ve had many people ask why make cranberry sauce in a slow cooker if you can do it on the stove in 15 minutes? The slow cooker gives the sauce depth of flavor by slowly cooking it, and it will still have a bright, beautiful color!

How to make bourbon cranberry sauce:

Ingredients:

ingredients for bourbon cranberry on table
  • Cranberries – Fresh or frozen works well with this recipe, so you can make homemade cranberry sauce any time of year.
  • Bourbon – Cranberry and bourbon are a match made in heaven, your guests will be asking what your secret ingredient is!
  • Orange – This recipes uses a whole orange that is quartered.
  • Sweetener and Spice – Brown sugar and honey sweeten this bourbon cranberry sauce, also add a touch of cinnamon.

Step-by-Step Directions:

2 image collage on how to assemble bourbon cranberry sauce in crockpot

Step One – Place all ingredients in your slow cooker. Stir well and cover with lid.

Step Two – Cook on high 3 hours or low 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove orange slices and stir; pop any unpopped cranberries. Allow cranberry sauce to cool before serving. The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools.

cranberry sauce on wooden spoon

How long will this last?

  • Cranberry sauce lasts in the fridge for 10-14 days in an airtight container.
  • You can freeze cranberry sauce just as you would jam. You can freeze it for up to three months.
cranberry sauce in white bowl

Recipes FAQs

Does alcohol cook out of slow cooker recipes?

Alcohol does not entirely cook off in the slow cooker. Though the flavor won’t be strong, it will still have some remnants of alcohol, so beware when giving to kids or anyone who does not drink alcohol.

When are cranberries in season?

Cranberries are harvested from September to November and are available at the grocery store until January. Though you can buy frozen cranberries any time of year and they are just as good as fresh as they are usually frozen the same day they are harvested.

What can I use instead of bourbon?

You can use orange juice instead of bourbon, or you can use Grand Marnier or spiced rum.

What can I use instead of honey?

Use additional brown sugar or maple syrup.

cranberry sauce on wooden spoon

Slow Cooker Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

5 from 10 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Homemade cranberry sauce made with orange and bourbon, a wonderful treat for the holiday table.

Ingredients 
 

  • 12 oz. bag cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 large orange, quartered

Instructions 

  • Place all ingredients in your slow cooker.
  • Stir well and cover with lid.
  • Cook on high 3 hours or on low 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove orange slices and stir, pop any unpopped cranberries. Allow cranberry sauce to cool prior to serving. The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools.

Sarah’s Notes

Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double this recipe with no issue! You will need to cook on HIGH for 4 hours if you double.
Does the alcohol cook out of this?
Alcohol does not entirely cook off in the slow cooker. Though the flavor won’t be strong, it will still have some remnants of alcohol, so beware when giving to kids or anyone who does not drink alcohol.
What can I use instead of bourbon?
You can use orange juice instead of bourbon, or you can use Grand Marnier or spiced rum.
What can I use instead of honey?
Use additional brown sugar or maple syrup.
How long will this last?
  • Cranberry sauce lasts in the fridge for 10-14 days in an airtight container.
  • You can freeze cranberry sauce just as you would jam. You can freeze it for up to three months.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 83IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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