How different can 21 different cans and jars of cranberry sauce really be? Very, very different. Some have spice. Some have a second or even a third fruit in the mix. Some are sweet, some tart, some runny, some chunky. And some of them are even good enough to sway an avowed-cranberry-sauce hater on our taste test panel to reconsider her long-held dislike for the stuff.
Out of the 21 cranberry sauces we tried in a recent blind tasting, our favorite option was Williams-Sonoma's New England–Style Cranberry Relish, but we recognize that there are some canned cranberry jelly purists out there who would be satisfied with nothing but a ridged disc of gelatinous red on their plate. We picked a best-in-category for you, too. And one other for—well, you'll see why. For our methodology and the full list of brands we tasted, scroll to the bottom. But first, the winners of our Best Cranberry Sauce awards.
Our Favorite Cranberry Sauce: Williams-Sonoma Cranberry Relish
This jar from the kitchen supply stalwart hit the right balance of sweet and tart. It boasts bright citrus and warm spice without hitting you over the head with orange peel and clove as some other brands did. Senior Editor Maggie Hoffman praised the texture, saying that the "pops of cranberry" made her mouth water. Apples contribute wonderful texture too, and make this one of the chunkier choices. Finally—perhaps the highest compliment I can offer a jar of pre-made cranberry sauce—it tastes homemade in the best way possible.
The Best Plain Cranberry Sauce: New England Cranberry Colonial Cranberry Sauce
So maybe you don't like "all that stuff" in your cranberry sauce. That's cool. Preferences make the world go round. For you, there is this jar of just cranberries, sugar, and water. Despite the simple ingredients list, though, this brand rose above other options, even those with similarly short lists. The cranberries popped with texture and flavor, the sauce hit the right balance of sweet and tart without any of the citrus or spice that's present in our winner above. This sauce tasted fresh and lively and it would be a great counterpoint to any of the rich dishes on your Thanksgiving plate.
BUY IT: New England Cranberry Colonial Cranberry Sauce, $7 for an 11-ounce jar at MassBayTrading.com
Every time a cran jelly plops a Thanksgiving turkey gets pardoned.
The Best Cranberry Jelly: Ocean Spray
The brand synonymous with cranberries came out ahead of the three other jellied cranberry sauces we tasted—and in fact, came out fifth overall. It offers a freshness and vibrancy of flavor that the other jellies lack. It holds together in sliceable form without being too rubbery and strikes a good balance of sweet and tart.
