Homemade Guava Cranberry Sauce with Oranges

Mami would make mojo turkey, but the sides? Definitely not your usual sweet potato casserole or creamy corn pudding. So I never really understood the purpose of cranberry sauce. We only ever had the canned jellied kind.

Now, as an adult, I’ve become a big fan of the full Thanksgiving spread, especially fresh cranberry sauce.

To blend my Cuban roots with my love for the classic Thanksgiving recipes, I gave traditional cranberry sauce a twist with guava marmalade and oranges.

And let me tell you…it turned out even better than I imagined.

“This is the best cranberry sauce! It’s my fourth year making it and I look forward to it every year. The fam loves it.” —Sasha Ramirez

How To Make Guava Cranberry Sauce

This homemade cranberry sauce with orange juice and cinnamon has become one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, all thanks to the guava marmalade.

I tested this recipe three times to get the texture right. Not too thick, not too loose, and it’s perfect!

The guava adds that sweet-tart balance to the cranberries, and it comes together so easily you’ll want to make it every year. You’ll find the full recipe below.

You can serve the orange cranberry sauce chilled, but I like it warm or at room temperature. Just reheat it for a minute in the microwave or in a small saucepan before dinner.

👉🏼 By the way, you can buy any brand of guava marmalade as long as there are not tons of weird ingredients. If you can’t find guava marmalade, you can also boil guava paste with a bit of water until you get a liquid consistency.

Recommended For This Recipe

Guava Marmalade

This is an excellent option if you can’t find guava marmalade locally. It has a sweet, tangy taste, and it also provides a perfectly thick consistency.

So while I still have to stop Mami from sneaking arroz blanco onto the Thanksgiving table.

“Mami! Arroz blanco isn’t traditional!” …in her eyes, no meal is complete without rice. 🤣

Now, this guava cranberry orange sauce sits right next to the turkey. It’s the perfect mix of sweet, tart, and citrusy with that Cuban twist I can’t skip.

And honestly, it always starts a conversation at the table. I have a feeling it’ll do the same for you, too.