Jalapeño Orange Cranberry Sauce

Last Updated on April 15, 2022 by Karen

Classic tart and sweet cranberry sauce gets a nice spicy kick with the addition of jalapeño pepper.

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching.  Have you started menu planning yet?  In the upcoming weeks, I will be partnering up with Jennie O to bring you several tasty and easy holiday-worthy recipes.  Today, I’ve got a scrumptious side dish that will be perfect whether you are hosting a big family dinner, bringing something as a guest, or even hosting a Friendsgiving feast.

Friendsgiving dinners are a wonderful idea for friends to get together over the holiday season, especially for those who can’t make it home for Thanksgiving or don’t have a big immediate family of their own. Unlike a traditional family dinner where the menu is comprised of grandma’s famous green beans and mom’s sweet potato casserole, there is no rule for Thanksgiving dinner with friends.

That means you can get creative while pooling everyone’s favorite dishes for a fantastic spread!  For my Friendsgiving dinner, I will be taking care of the turkey, gravy, and one or two side dishes.  And I’m leaving the rest to my friends potluck-style so they can bring their favorite appetizers, salad, bread or dinner rolls, and desserts.

It’s just not Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce, so this year I am giving it a fresh, new spin.  Fresh cranberries, sugar, and orange juice make a simple, tart and sweet cranberry sauce, and when you add fresh jalapeno into the mix, you get a spicy condiment so good you’d want to slather it on roasted turkey and mashed potatoes.  The inspiration comes from jalapeno pepper jelly which proves that the sweet and spicy combination just works.

This is a great make ahead recipe too.  Store it in an airtight container and this sauce will keep in the refrigerator for a week. You can even turn it into a quick appetizer by spreading it on a block of warmed cream cheese and serve with crackers or tortilla chips.  Easy and unbelievably tasty!

Now, the star of the holiday table is definitely the roasted turkey!  With Jennie O’s Oven Ready Whole Turkey, it took me so little effort to prepare a perfectly seasoned and moist turkey.

You just have to cut a few slits in the clear plastic bag that holds the turkey, then bake it in the oven — no seasoning or thawing is needed.  It even comes with a gravy packet — I’d say that takes the stress away on the big day!

For more Friendsgiving recipe ideas, check out Jennie O and be sure to stay connected on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram!

This post is sponsored by Jennie O as part of the Switch Circle program.  As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you so much for reading and supporting this blog!