Cranberry Jam Recipe | Homemade Holiday Jam - Cook with Kushi (2025)

Cranberry Jam - Make the best and most delicious homemade cranberry jam with only four ingredients. It is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner table.

While you are here, check out our award-winning cranberry pesto pasta and frangipane tart with cranberries.

Recipe card

Why you'll love this jam recipe?

• This is the simplest and easy-to-make jam recipe at home with no special equipment needed.
• Serve it for breakfast, with desserts, or on a holiday charcuterie board.
• The perfect balance of flavors by the combination of cranberries, sugar, and orange.
• This cranberry jam is the best homemade gift for Christmas or Thanksgiving.
• Cranberry jam is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Ingredients

Cranberries: I have used frozen cranberries from Cape Cod Select. Use fresh or frozen ones for the recipe.

Sugar: I have combined light brown sugar and granulated sugar. Adjust as per the sweetness desired.

Orange juice: Use freshly squeezed orange juice.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to make cranberry orange jam for the holiday?

• In a saucepan or nonstick pan, add cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and water and cook over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes or until cranberries start to pop and break apart.
• At this stage, reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook until the jam starts to thicken - about an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remember, this jam will continue to thicken as it cools down. Switch off the flame and allow it to cool down to room temperature. (You can blend if you want it very smooth or pass it through a mesh strainer)
• This recipe yields about 1 ½ to 2 cups of jam.
• Once cooled completely, store them in an airtight container or Mason jar in the refrigerator for about 6 to 8 weeks.

Spiced Christmas jam

• To make it festive, you can add orange zest, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ginger, ¼ teaspoon cloves, and a pinch of pepper.
• For a different flavor profile, you can add peeled and chopped apples or pears.

Chef Tips

• Adjust the amount of sugar as desired to balance the tartness with cranberries.
• For the best flavor, try to use premium-quality cranberries.
• Only once the jam is cooled completely, store it in the jar.
• To avoid the jam burning at the bottom, stir during the cooking process.

How to serve cranberry jam?

• Cranberry jam can be served for breakfast with toasted bread slices, bagels, scones, muffins, pancakes, and waffles or oatmeal.
• Add them to desserts like tarts, pies, cookies, fudge, and cheesecake.
• You can also swirl it with ice creams or smoothies.
• For a savory kick, try our cranberry chicken or serve it with pork tenderloin.
• Add it to your holiday charcuterie board or cheese tray.

Recipe FAQs

More Cranberry recipes

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Note: We originally posted this holiday cranberry jam recipe in April 2018. It has now been modified in Nov 2023 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.

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