Ginger Apple Cranberry Sauce

This ginger apple cranberry sauce cooks up entirely in the slow cooker and is packed with fresh ginger flavor, tender apples, and tart cranberries.

Cranberry sauce just got 10x easier AND a huge level-up in the flavor department!

We’re piling this whole deal in the crockpot along with a mess of apples and fresh ginger and the end result is absolutely magic on any holiday table.

I’m talking like cranberry sauce on steroids here. Don’t even get me started on how well this pairs with a slice of turkey or ham.

There’s nothing complicated about this recipe which is just the way we like things when it comes to holiday side dishes. Literally, everything just gets piled in the slow cooker and you let it do its thing for awhile.

I also include stovetop instructions further down in the blog post if you want this option!

This Cranberry Sauce features…

• Tart cranberries and sweet honeycrisp apples
• A slight spice from fresh ginger
• A perfect thick and jam-like texture

Making the Cranberry Sauce

(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)

Ingredients You Will Need

• Cranberries
• Apples
• Granulated sugar
• Apple cider
• Spices

Tips for Perfect Cranberry Sauce

1. Cook cranberries in slow cooker – you can cook them 2-3 hours on high or 4-5 hours on low.
2. Use fresh ginger – 1 tablespoon grated ginger adds the perfect level of spicy ginger flavor to the cranberries.
3. Stir cranberries 1-2 times during cooking – this helps break up the cranberries a bit.
4. Chill cranberry sauce before serving – the cranberry sauce will thicken more as it chills.

Recipe Variations

Try these ideas for a different twist on this sauce.

• Use candied ginger – swap out the fresh ginger for minced candied ginger.
• Swap apples for pears – use two medium peeled pears in place of the apples.
• Add herbs – cook sauce with a sprig of thyme or rosemary.
• Try different spices – try a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or dried ginger for extra ginger flavor.

Stovetop Instructions

Bring all the ingredients to a simmer in a medium pot then reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until cranberries and apples are broken down into a thick sauce.

The spicy ginger flavor shines through in every bite of this luscious sauce and pairs so well with the tart cranberries and all those tender sweet apples.

You’ll have a hard time not eating this one with a spoon straight from the crockpot!

Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on with #wholeandheavenlyoven.

More Thanksgiving side dishes you need in your life!

• Warm Sweet Potato Salad
• Honey Orange Roasted Carrots
• Roasted Garlic Mushroom Stuffing

 This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 11/6/25.