This homemade cranberry sauce is the perfect blend of tart and sweet, elevating any holiday meal with its vibrant flavor and gorgeous ruby-red color. A traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas staple, this simple recipe transforms fresh cranberries into a delectable sauce that balances the natural tartness of cranberries with sweetness from sugar and a bright citrus note from fresh orange.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal hands-on time
• Made with just 5 simple ingredients you can easily find
• Perfectly balanced flavor that’s better than anything store-bought
• Can be made days ahead to save time during holiday meal prep
• Versatile as both a side dish and a leftover sandwich spread

Ingredients

• Fresh Cranberries: Look for firm, plump berries with a deep red color. Frozen cranberries work well too if fresh aren’t available.
• Sugar: Regular granulated sugar creates the perfect sweetness to balance the tart cranberries. Brown sugar can be substituted for a deeper molasses flavor.
• Orange Juice: Fresh-squeezed juice provides the best flavor, but store-bought works in a pinch. Make sure it’s pulp-free for the smoothest sauce.
• Water: Plain water helps create the perfect consistency. You can replace some or all with apple juice for a different flavor profile.
• Orange Zest: Adds a wonderful citrus aroma and bright flavor to the sauce. Be sure to only use the colored part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Variations

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Transform the basic recipe by adding warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Add a cinnamon stick and a few whole cloves while simmering, then remove before serving. For an extra layer of complexity, include a star anise pod.

Cranberry-Apple Sauce

Add diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work beautifully) to the mix for textural contrast and natural sweetness. The apples will break down slightly during cooking but maintain some structure, creating a chunkier, more substantial sauce.

Boozy Cranberry Sauce

For an adult version, add a splash of Grand Marnier, bourbon, or port wine during the last few minutes of cooking. The alcohol will cook off, leaving behind a sophisticated flavor that pairs wonderfully with holiday meats.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Base

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, orange juice, and orange zest. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves. This creates a sweet citrus syrup that will infuse the cranberries with flavor.

Step 2: Add Cranberries

Once the sugar has dissolved, add the fresh cranberries to the saucepan and stir to coat them in the syrup. The berries should be evenly distributed in the liquid. This ensures they’ll cook evenly and absorb the flavors properly.

Step 3: Simmer to Perfection

Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, you’ll hear the cranberries begin to pop and burst as they cook, releasing their natural pectin that will help thicken the sauce. After 15 minutes, remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool completely. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t rush the simmering process – the slow cooking allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken naturally
• Leave some cranberries whole for a more interesting texture with bursts of tartness
• For a smoother sauce, you can mash the cranberries with a potato masher after cooking
• Adjust sweetness to taste – add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter sauce or less for a more tart version
• The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems thin when hot
• For extra zing, add a tablespoon of lemon juice along with the orange juice

How to Serve

This vibrant cranberry sauce is a classic accompaniment to roasted turkey, but its uses extend far beyond the holiday table. Serve it warm or cold alongside ham, roast chicken, or pork tenderloin. It makes a delicious topping for pancakes, waffles, or vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert. Try it spread on a turkey sandwich with some brie cheese, or swirl it into yogurt with granola for breakfast. For an elegant appetizer, spoon it over a block of cream cheese and serve with crackers.

Make Ahead

One of the best features of this cranberry sauce is how well it works as a make-ahead dish. The sauce can be prepared up to 7 days before serving and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In fact, the flavors often improve after a day or two as they have time to meld and develop. If you want to make it even further in advance, the sauce freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Allow it to come to room temperature or gently reheat before serving, adding a splash of orange juice if it seems too thick.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work perfectly in this recipe and don’t even need to be thawed first. You may need to extend the cooking time by 2-3 minutes, but otherwise, the recipe remains the same.

How long does homemade cranberry sauce last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this cranberry sauce will last for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 2 months.

Why didn’t my cranberry sauce thicken?

Cranberry sauce thickens naturally as it cools due to the pectin released from the berries. If your sauce seems thin after cooling completely, you may have used too much liquid or not simmered it long enough. Try returning it to the heat for another 5-10 minutes to reduce further.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Yes, you can reduce the sugar, but keep in mind that cranberries are naturally very tart. If reducing sugar, consider adding a naturally sweet fruit like diced apples or pears, or substituting with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.

Conclusion

This easy cranberry sauce recipe delivers homemade flavor that simply can’t be matched by canned versions. With just a few minutes of effort, you’ll create a versatile condiment that enhances any holiday meal and transforms leftovers into something special. The perfect balance of tart cranberries, sweet sugar, and bright orange makes this a recipe you’ll return to year after year. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to holiday meal preparation, this foolproof cranberry sauce will become a staple in your recipe collection.

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