Fresh, bright, and naturally sweetened with honey—this 3-ingredient cranberry sauce recipe with pears is my go-to Thanksgiving side. Easy, make-ahead, and so much better than canned!
Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Pears
If you’re looking for a fresh, bright cranberry sauce recipe, this is the one I make every Thanksgiving. With just three simple ingredients—fresh cranberries, ripe pear, and honey—it cooks down into a naturally sweet, perfectly balanced sauce without any refined sugar. It tastes so much better than canned cranberry sauce, and you can make it days ahead, which means one less thing to stress about during the holidays.
Why You’ll Never Make Any Other Cranberry Sauce
This easy Cranberry Pear Sauce is on my Thanksgiving Table every year! Here’s why it works:
- Just 3 ingredients, big flavor: Fresh or frozen cranberries, pear, and honey simmer into a bright, delicious sauce that feels special with almost no effort.
- Naturally sweetened: The pear adds body and natural sweetness, so you don’t need much honey.
- Holiday-tested: I make this version year after year—it never fails and always tastes better than store-bought.
- Make-ahead friendly: It thickens as it cools and keeps beautifully in the fridge for a full week.
- Versatile: Perfect with my dry brine turkey, pork tenderloin, chicken, or layered into leftover sandwiches.
What You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to make this healthier, lightly sweetened cranberry sauce.
- Fresh cranberries – They burst as they cook and naturally thicken the sauce.
- Ripe pears – Any variety of pears work fine here. Pears adds sweetness and a smooth, jammy texture.
- Honey – Naturally sweetens and balances the tart cranberries.
- Water – Helps the fruit break down and simmer evenly.
Variations
- Orange Cranberry Sauce: Add orange zest or replace some of the water with orange juice.
- Ginger Cranberry Sauce: Add freshly grated ginger while simmering for warmth and spice.
- Cinnamon: Add a cinnamon stick or pinch of cinnamon for a cozy twist.
- Maple: Use pure maple syrup instead of honey.
- Chunky or Smooth: Mash lightly or blend until smooth, depending on your preferred texture.
- Lower-sugar: Use a very ripe pear and reduce the honey to taste.
How To Make Cranberry Sauce
- Prep the fruit: Peel and dice the pear into small pieces. Rinse the cranberries and discard any that look soft or bruised.
- Combine ingredients: Add cranberries, pear, honey, and water to a small saucepan.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook until thickened: Stir occasionally until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 12–15 minutes.
- Cool: The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Serve warm or chilled (I prefer it chilled).
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- Freezer: Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Make it 1–4 days before Thanksgiving to save time.
Turkey Recipes To Serve This With
Whether you’re making a full turkey or a smaller breast, here are my favorite turkey recipes that pair perfectly with this cranberry sauce:
More Thanksgiving Side Dishes:
- Mashed Cauliflower
- Potato Leek Soup
- Roasted Asparagus
- Brussels Sprouts Gratin
- Chicken Sausage and Herb Stuffing
The BEST 3-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 2 pears, ripe, peeled and cored, cubed small
- 1/2 cup honey, or agave
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Bring all the ingredients to a boil on high heat in a medium saucepan.
- When boiling, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool before refrigerating. Serve chilled or room temperature. Makes 3 1/4 cups.
