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–+ servings
Bowl of homemade Tex-Mex cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries, jalapeño, and lime.

Tex-Mex Cranberry Sauce

A bright, spicy spin on classic cranberry sauce — made with jalapeño, fresh lime, and tart cranberries for a Tex-Mex twist that makes your whole holiday plate sing. Perfect with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, or on next-day turkey sandwiches.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Condiment, sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern, Tex-Mex
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ large red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed from 1 chile, both chiles very thinly sliced
  • 12 oz package of cranberries (fresh preferred but frozen work wll, too)
  • ½ cup honey or agave
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp lime zest, finely grated
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice

Equipment

  • 1 Medium saucepan
  • 1 Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • 1 Zester or microplane

Method
 

  1. Rinse cranberries and remove any soft or shriveled berries.
  2. Melt butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.
  3. Add the onions and jalapenos, stir often until the onions start to turn golden, about 4 minutes.
  4. Add the cranberries, honey, and salt and increase the heat to medium-high.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens enough to briefly reveal the bottom of the pan when stirred, 12–15 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in the lime zest and lime juice. Let cool and then serve.

Notes

📌 Notes

  • For a milder heat level, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño.
  • For extra heat, add an additional jalapeño or a pinch of chipotle powder.
  • The lime zest and juice add a bright Tex-Mex twist that pairs beautifully with smoked or roasted turkey.
  • This sauce thickens significantly as it cools — don’t overcook it.
  • If it becomes too thick, stir in a tablespoon of water to loosen it.

📌 Variations & Substitutions

  • Milder: Use only half a jalapeño or remove seeds/membranes.
  • Hotter: Add more jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder.
  • Citrus swap: Orange zest/juice works great for a more traditional flavor.
  • Savory twist: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for extra tang.

📌 Storage & Make-Ahead

  • Refrigerate: Keeps 5–7 days in an airtight container.
  • Freeze: Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Make ahead: Make 2–3 days in advance — the flavor improves as it rests.

📌 Serving Ideas

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