12 Alternatives to Cranberry Sauce to Serve With Turkey

Pomegranate Relish — Credit: 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 herb dressing, 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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Apple Butter

Fruit butter is an old-fashioned term for a puree of fruit that cooks for so long it becomes spreadable. Apple butter is seasonably appropriate to accompany turkey and is not overly sweet.

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Onion-Tomato Relish

A nice mild condiment, this relish features caramelized onions and tomatoes with a subtle seasonings.

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Mint Jelly

Mint jelly is a traditional accompaniment to roast lamb, but it tastes delicious with turkey, too.

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Rhubarb-Cherry Sauce

A luscious sauce made with dried cherries and rhubarb, this goes beautifully with any roasted meat. Follow the first part of the recipe below to make the sauce, minus the pork chops.

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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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Chunky Applesauce

Applesauce may seem like a snack or dessert, but it makes a great side for any roasted meat. Chunky applesauce has a chutney-like feel, thanks to the Granny Smith apples that keep their shape throughout cooking.

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Herb Relish (Schug)

This is a traditional Yemeni recipe that's served alongside roasted meats and vegetables. The brightness of the herbs cuts through the fatty richness of a big celebratory meal like Thanksgiving.

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Cranberry-Orange-Jalapeno Relish

This variation on cranberry sauce is sure to be popular. It's a no-cook recipe, bursting with flavor, freshness, and color.

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Currant Jelly

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. It's inspired by the famed preserves of Bar-le-Duc, France, which have been made in the same way since the 14th century.

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Cranberry Sauce With Ginger and Clove

This recipe is an elegant variation on the typical cranberry sauce, featuring the cranberry flavor tempered by fresh ginger. Another bonus, it's very simple to make.

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