14 Alternatives to Cranberry Sauce to Serve With Turkey

14 Homemade Condiments to Serve With Turkey—That Aren't Cranberry Sauce

Bring something new to the Thanksgiving table by making one of these alternatives to cranberry sauce.

Published on October 24, 2023

Pomegranate Relish — Photo: Louise Hagger

No cranberries, no problem! For those looking for an alternative to cranberry sauce to serve with turkey, there are plenty of condiments to make instead. Consider a chutney with fresh and dried fruit, a tangy citrus marmalade, and even bacon-onion "jam." The recipes we've gathered are sweet and tart or savory and aromatic, they include the spices, nuts, and deep flavors we associate with autumn and winter, so you won't miss the cranberries one bit.

And if there will be one person at the table who always has to have the cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, then fine—it's easy to make a batch for them too. Or if you don't mind cranberries but aren't a fan of the usual sauce, we've included a couple of decidedly different cranberry condiments to try.

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Gingered Golden Fruit Chutney

Keeping it seasonal with apples and adding ginger and spice, this chutney checks all the holiday table boxes.

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Tangerine and Lemon Marmalade

A citrus marmalade can be eaten with sweet or savory food. The slices of fruit of tart fruit have just enough bitterness in their peel to balance the sweetness.

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Quince Butter

Fruit butter is an old-fashioned term for a puree of fruit that cooks for so long it becomes spreadable. It's magical, especially when made with quince, a fall fruit with an unparalleled fragrance.

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Plum Ginger Relish

Pretty, sunset hues and a gingery zing makes this relish a perfect partner for turkey and a star of the Thanksgiving table.

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Quince Jelly With Star Anise

The longer quince is cooked, the rosier it becomes in color. Here it’s made into a syrup which is cooked for so long that the fruit’s natural pectin, contained in skin and seeds, helps it to set.

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Warm Plum Sauce

This is a luscious sauce of softened plums simply cooked with balsamic vinegar and garlic. You can use any type of ripe plums but Italian prune plums are the best for this easy sauce.

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Quick Pear Chutney

A recipe like this will fall into your annual rotation: it’s pretty and bright, with barely-cooked pears and warm spices. Honey adds a light sweetness, and walnuts add crunch.

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Bacon Jam

"Bacon in jam?" you might ask. And we say adding sweet, slowly cooked onions with savory bacon bits to your turkey plate would be a Good Thing.

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Pomegranate Relish

Raw and bright, fresh pomegranate tossed with lemon and herbs is a most worthy partner to turkey and a superb alternative to a no-cook, chopped cranberry and orange relish.

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Date Chutney

If you like the rich taste of dates you will love this chutney. It's sweet yet savory, and perfect for the autumn and winter table.

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Apricot Raisin Chutney

If fresh apricots are available in your local market, make a pot of this golden sauce. Can it or keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve it for Thanksgiving, or enjoy it with meats and cheeses.

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Cranberry Pomegranate Relish

This variation on a cranberry sauce is decidedly different. It's deeply flavored with pomegranate molasses and brown sugar. Stirring in fresh pomegranate arils at the last minute, adds crunch and fresh tartness.

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Red Currant Jam

Red currant jam or jelly was traditionally served with game and makes a spectacular partner for turkey. Red currants are naturally quite sour but are sweetened just right in this recipe from Christine Ferber, a legendary jam and jelly maker.

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Cranberry Ginger Jelly

It's a jelly not a sauce! And, it's an elegant variation on the typical cranberry sauce with the cranberry flavor tempered by fresh ginger. Another bonus, it's very simple to make.

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