Easy Cranberry Compote (Crock Pot or Stove Top)

Name: Easy Cranberry Compote (Crock Pot or Stove Top)
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 68 min
Ingredients: 14 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce; 1 cup diced apple; 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water

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I am sharing a very easy and delicious orange cranberry side dish recipe that is perfect served with a holiday turkey or baked ham.

Compote is a very easy 6 ingredient side dish you can serve during the holidays.

A serving dish filled with homemade apple cranberry compote.

This recipe can be made in a crock pot or on the stovetop. I have made it both ways and it turns out great either way.

This recipe was originally shared on November 22, 2013 and has been updated with text and new photos on October 7, 2021.

Cranberry Compote Ingredients

This delicious cranberry side dish recipe is made with only 6 ingredients.

14 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 cup diced apple
½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water

How to Make Apple Cranberry Compote

Cranberry orange compote with apples is very easy to make.

Cranberry apple and orange compote ingredients in a slow cooker.

You combine the ingredients and cook them until the apple pieces are tender.

Mixing the compote ingredients before cooking.

Once the apple has softened you thicken the compote with a mixture of cornstarch and water.

Adding a thickner to compote to thicken it.

The compote will thicken almost immediately.

Remove the compote from the heat and allow to cool. Compote can be served warm or cold.

Cranberry Compote Stove Top Directions

Open the can of whole berry cranberry sauce and place it in a saucepan.
Add the diced apple, orange juice, orange zest and ground cinnamon to the pan.
Using a large spoon toss the ingredients to combine.
Heat the saucepan on medium until cranberry sauce has thinned.
Turn the heat up to medium high and cook until apples are tender.
Once the apple pieces are tender mix the cornstarch with the water and add to the pan. Bring to a boil, occasionally stirring until thickened.
Once thickened remove from the heat. Cool to room temperature before serving.

Cranberry Compote Crock Pot Directions

Combine the cranberry sauce, diced apple, orange juice, orange zest and ground cinnamon in a 4 or 6 quart slow cooker. Use a large spoon to stir the ingredients.
Place the lid on the slow cooker. Heat on high for 1 hour or low for two hours.
Slow cook until the apple pieces are tender.
When the apple is tender mix the cornstarch and water. Add the cornstarch slurry to the slow cooker and mix. Recover and heat on high until thickened.
Once thickened turn the slow cooker off and cool. Serve with dinner.

Recipe FAQS

What is cranberry compote served with?

Cranberry compote is a sweet, tart and orange flavored side dish that is usually served during the holidays. This cranberry side dish goes well with a holiday turkey or baked ham. It also goes well with baked chicken.

How do you thicken cranberry compote?

A cornstarch slurry made from cornstarch mixed with water or orange juice is my favorite thickener for compote. Cornstarch is a favorite thickener because it does not change the flavor of the recipe you are using it to thicken.

How long does cranberry compote last?

Homemade cranberry compote if stored properly in an air tight container in the refrigerator will last a week to 10 days. If the compote starts to separate you can reheat it and it should thicken back up.

Can you freeze homemade cranberry compote?

Leftover cranberry compote can be frozen. Place the compote in an airtight freezer safe container and place in the freezer. Use within a couple of months. To defrost just place the container on the counter for a few hours and stir before serving

Apple cranberry orange compote in a white bowl topped with a orange zest curl garnish..

Recipe Expert Tips

whole berry cranberry sauce: You can substitute a can of regular cranberry sauce. You just won't have any cranberry pieces in the compote. It will still taste amazing.
orange juice and zest: Freshly squeezed orange juice is needed. You will use the zest and the orange juice of fresh navel oranges for this recipe. The zest adds another layer of orange flavor you can only get when using orange zest.
thickening the compote: corn starch is my favorite thickener. It does not add any flavor to the cranberry compote.
cooling the compote: the compote should be served room temperature or cold. The hot compote will thicken more as it cools.

More holiday side dish recipes

More easy holiday side dish recipes you can make.