• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Panning The Globe
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
×

Home » Recipes » Thanksgiving Recipes

Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce

November 11, 2021 by Lisa Goldfinger 2 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
Cranberry bbq sauce in a glass bowl on a black and white flowered table cloth

This Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce is my favorite for Thanksgiving, especially with smoked turkey.  Fresh cranberries, brown sugar and bourbon whiskey are simmered with ketchup, vinegar and spices. I can't decide if this is more of a cranberry sauce or a barbecue sauce. All I know for sure is that it tastes great with turkey.

Cranberry bbq sauce in a glass bowl on a black and white flowered table cloth

This Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce recipe evolved from a homemade bourbon bbq sauce I've been making for years. One Thanksgiving we decided to smoke our turkey and I had an epiphany that if cranberry sauce and bourbon bbq sauce were intertwined, the result would be amazing.

This recipe has now become a tradition for us. A splash of color and zesty bright flavor among platters of turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing.

What goes into Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce?

Other than the bag of fresh cranberries, you probably already have the ingredients for this cranberry BBQ sauce.

  • Brown Sugar
  • Ketchup
  • Bourbon
  • Cider Vinegar
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Soy Sauce
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Crushed Red Pepper

ingredients for cranberry bourbon bbq sauce sitting on a white countertop: a bottle of bourbon, bottle of ketchup, bag of fresh cranberries, bottle of cider vinegar, containers of garlic powder and onion powder, box of brown sugar.

How to make Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce

This is a "throw everything into the pot and turn on the heat" kind of recipe.

  • Start by putting the cranberries, brown sugar and a few tablespoons of water into a saucepan. Let this mixture simmer for roughly 5 minutes, until the cranberries soften and the sugar melts.

looking down into a saucepan filled with fresh cranberries and a cup of brown sugar

  • While the cranberries and sugar are simmering, measure out the rest of the ingredients into a bowl.

glass bowl filled with ingredients for cranberry bbq sauce: bourbon, ketchup, soy sauce, a blob of dijon mustard, onion powder and garlic powder, jars of packaged ingredients in the background

  • Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and simmer the sauce for 8-10 minutes longer.

a pot simmering on the stove, filled with raw cranberries plus lots of ingredients for cranberry bourbon bbq sauce, mostly you can see the red ketchup

  • The cranberries will burst and the sauce will be thick.

close up looking down into a saucepan filled with red cranberry bourbon bbq sauce, a wooden spoon is resting in the pot, the tip coated with the red sauce

Make this ahead of time

I usually make this the morning of Thanksgiving or the day before, because it's easy with minimal clean up. But this cranberry bourbon bbq sauce can be made up to a week ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

small glass bowl on a black and white cloth napkin, filled with cranberry bourbon bbq sauce, a few cranberries scattered around

What to serve with Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce

This sauce is delicious with anything smoked or grilled. It's also delicious on anything else you would put ketchup or barbecue sauce on.

One day I hope to share my smoked turkey recipe here on the blog. It's actually pretty simple. I coat the turkey with Salt Lick dry rub and cook it in our Orion Convection Smoker, which smokes a whole 12-14 pound turkey in an hour and a half. Amazing! And it means the oven is free for all of my roasted veggies, pies, and keeping things warm. Plus no basting!

If you already have a smoker, here's a delicious looking smoked turkey recipe. Once you smoke a turkey for Thanksgiving, you may never go back to the oven. It's a whole other level of flavor.

Here's the Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe. If you cook this, I hope you'll come back to leave a star rating and a comment. I'd love to know what you think!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce


★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

  • Author: Lisa
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 10-12 (¼-cup) servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Sweet and tangy Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce is a cross between bbq sauce and cranberry sauce. A  bright smoky tangy colorful side dish for Thanksgiving. Also delicious on sandwiches, burgers and grilled or smoked chicken and ribs.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ½ cup bourbon
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Bring cranberries, sugar and water to a boil in medium sauce pan over medium heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are soft and the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes more, until the sauce has thickened and the cranberries have burst.
  2. Can be made ahead. Store, tightly covered in the fridge for up to a week. Bring to room temp before serving.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Sauce - Condiment
  • Method: simmer
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade cranberry BBQ sauce, Thanksgiving BBQ sauce for smoked turkey

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, please let me know how it turns out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on instagram with the hashtag #panningtheglobe

More Thanksgiving Recipes

  • wooden bowl filled with red skin mashed potatoes flecked with chopped scallions
    Red Skin Mashed Potatoes (Vegan)
  • sausage stuffing with bits of broccoli rabe and red onion in a glass casserole
    Italian Sausage Stuffing
  • Cubes of roasted butternut squash in a white bowl, topped with parsley garlic oil
    Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe
  • Overhead shot of a white bowl filled with shredded Brussels sprout and arugula salad with toasted pecans and grated parmesan cheese.
    Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Filed Under: Barbecue, Entertaining, North America, Quick and Easy, Side Dish, Thanksgiving Recipes, The United States, vegan, Vegetarian

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Edgar

    November 16, 2021 at 9:27 am

    Wow - just made this as a trial run for Thanksgiving next week. We had it with some chickens I smoked and it was delicious (we are smoking our turkey this year for the big day). Tangy and full of flavor. The bourbon definitely adds a sweet richness to the taste. We will definitely be making this next week and I can't wait to see the reaction.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Lisa

      November 16, 2021 at 9:33 am

      Hi Edgar, Thank you for the great review and 5 star rating! I'm so glad you enjoyed the bbq sauce. Wishing you and your family a happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Panning the Globe

Hi, I'm Lisa! I believe we can all make the world's most delicious dishes at home.
I'm excited to share with you hundreds of fabulous, globally inspired recipes to feed your family and entertain your friends.

More about me →

TRENDING FAVORITES

  • Here's an amazing roast chicken recipe from chef Yotam Ottolenghi. Chicken thighs are spiced with za'atar and sumac, tossed with onions, lemons and garlic, and roasted. This is a great dinner party recipe because it's a beautiful dish, you can do all the prep ahead, the chicken is tender and juicy, and the flavors are fantastically delicious!
    Ottolenghi's Roast Chicken with Za'atar and Sumac
  • It's easy to cook a big pot of this award winning white chicken chili, and it's the absolute BEST white chicken chili! Tender chicken, chilies, white beans, spices and a few more goodies in this winning white chicken chili recipe.
    Award Winning White Chicken Chili
  • This Award Winning Chili recipe is hands down the BEST chili con carne I've ever tasted, with the most incredible flavor and texture - made with beef, pork, beans, awesome spices, onions, garlic, tomatoes and beer. Plus it freezes well so you might want to make a double batch.
    Eddie's Award Winning Chili
  • Indian Lamb Biryani: Sumptuous casserole of tender lamb curry with saffron spiced rice with cucumber-mint raita on the side|Panning The Globe
    Indian Lamb Biryani
  • a pot of ratatouille seen from above
    The Best Easy Ratatouille Recipe
  • Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl with Spinach and Avocado | Panning The Globe
    Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl with Spinach and Avocado
  • bowl of healthy shepherds pie
    Healthy Shepherd's Pie
  • Senegalese Chicken Yassa by Panning The Globe
    Senegalese Chicken Yassa

MORE POPULAR RECIPES

STAY ON TOP OF WHAT’S COOKING

Subscribe to our free newsletter and get the newest recipes and seasonal menu ideas sent directly to your inbox.

Footer

LET'S CONNECT!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Footer

↑ back to top

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Browse

  • Contact
  • All Recipes
  • Quick & Easy Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes

banner with names of publications that have featured recipes from panning the globe

COPYRIGHT © 2019 · LISA GOLDFINGER AND PANNING THE GLOBE · ALL TEXT, RECIPES, CONTENT AND IMAGES ON THIS SITE ARE THE SOLE PROPERTY OF LISA GOLDFINGER AND PANNING THE GLOBE.

PRIVACY POLICY · CONTACT ME · SUBSCRIBE

72 shares