This Cranberry Sauce Recipe is my go-to for every holiday table, balancing sweet and tart flavors with a kiss of citrus and a touch of warmth from cinnamon. It’s a breeze to make and transforms even the simplest meal into a festive occasion—you’ll never go back to store-bought after tasting this!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Short & Sweet Ingredient List: Just six ingredients create a burst of holiday flavor with minimal fuss.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepping this Cranberry Sauce Recipe ahead means one less thing to stress about on busy days.
- Perfect Texture Every Time: You’re in total control of whether your sauce is lusciously thick or luxuriously silky and pourable.
- Utterly Customizable: Dress it up with spices or citrus, or keep it classic—it’s spectacular either way!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cranberry Sauce Recipe is that every ingredient is straightforward and essential, each one working together to create a vibrant, balanced sauce. Let’s break down why every component matters for flavor and texture!
- Granulated sugar: Classic sweetener that tempers the cranberries’ tartness, creating a perfect sweet-tart balance.
- Orange zest: Adds a pop of citrus fragrance that uplifts the whole sauce—freshly grated is best!
- Water: Helps dissolve the sugar and creates a silky base for simmering the cranberries.
- Fresh orange juice: Infuses the sauce with bright, sunny flavor and enhances natural sweetness.
- Fresh cranberries: The life of the party—these little gems burst with color and tangy flavor as they cook.
- Ground cinnamon: Just a pinch gives warmth and depth, transforming simple cranberry sauce into something special.
Variations
This is your sauce, so don’t be shy about tailoring it to your own taste! With just a few swaps or additions, you can make this Cranberry Sauce Recipe uniquely yours—whether you want more sweetness, extra spice, or something a little unexpected.
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for extra warmth, or even a splash of vanilla for a new twist.
- Berry Medley: Try tossing in a handful of raspberries or blueberries with the cranberries to create a mixed berry sauce.
- Maple Magic: Swap some of the sugar with pure maple syrup for an earthy, autumnal flavor you’ll adore.
- Extra Citrus: Add a squeeze of lemon juice or some chopped candied ginger for a bright, zingy kick.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients
In a medium saucepan, mix together the granulated sugar, orange zest, water, and fresh orange juice. Give it a good stir to start dissolving the sugar, and set the pan over medium heat. Watch as it comes to a gentle boil—the aroma is already irresistible!
Step 2: Add the Cranberries & Simmer
Once that sweet-citrusy mixture is bubbling, add the fresh cranberries all at once. As the sauce simmers, stir often and listen for the cranberries to pop—this is when the magic happens! Keep simmering until the mixture thickens to your preferred consistency, about 8–12 minutes in total. If you want a thinner sauce, cook it for less time; for a jammy, thicker texture, let it bubble away a little longer.
Step 3: Finish with Cinnamon & Cool
Once the sauce is done to your liking, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the ground cinnamon. This final touch makes the sauce smell and taste absolutely heavenly! Spoon the warm Cranberry Sauce Recipe into a bowl and let it cool to room temperature; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. It will thicken even more as it chills.
Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Timing for Perfect Texture: For a chunky sauce with some whole berries, remove from heat at the 8-minute mark; cook up to 12 minutes for a silky, thick consistency.
- Fresh Orange Zest Magic: Zest your orange right into the saucepan—it releases aromatic oils that infuse the sauce with fabulous citrus flavor.
- Cool for Best Flavor: Let your Cranberry Sauce Recipe cool completely before serving—the flavor deepens and the texture becomes perfectly spreadable.
- Balance the Sweetness: Taste before chilling; if you love it sweeter, add a tablespoon more sugar while the sauce is still warm and stir to dissolve.
How to Serve Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Dress up your Cranberry Sauce Recipe with pretty garnishes like a few strips of fresh orange zest, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or whole cranberries on top. For a festive flair, you might add a few small mint leaves or even a cinnamon stick set in the bowl—it’s simple, but really makes the sauce pop on the table!
Side Dishes
This sauce naturally shines next to turkey, roast chicken, or pork. But don’t stop there—try it with holiday ham, slathered onto leftover sandwiches, or even as a tart, tangy dollop alongside creamy brie and crackers. It brightens up any meal you pair it with!
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon your Cranberry Sauce Recipe into a vintage glass dish for that classic table look, or get playful with individual ramekins for each guest. You can even swirl it over cheesecake or mix into yogurt parfaits—it’s as beautiful as it is tasty, so don’t be afraid to get creative!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipe in an airtight container in your fridge. It will easily keep for several days, so you can enjoy it with all your favorite meals or sneak spoonfuls straight from the container!
Freezing
This sauce freezes beautifully! Pop it into a freezer-safe container and it’ll keep for up to a month. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator whenever you need a splash of color and flavor.
Reheating
If you prefer your Cranberry Sauce Recipe warm, simply reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it loosens up and is warmed through. Add a splash of orange juice if it needs a little thinning after chilling or freezing.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work just as well in this Cranberry Sauce Recipe. There’s no need to thaw first—just pop them straight into your saucepan; you may need to add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.
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Is it possible to make this sauce less sweet?
Yes! Feel free to reduce the sugar to your liking—start with 3/4 cup if you prefer a tarter sauce, and taste as you go. Remember, the orange juice adds sweetness too.
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Can I make this Cranberry Sauce Recipe ahead of time?
Yes, this recipe is perfect for making ahead! Prepare it up to a week in advance and keep it refrigerated—most people agree it tastes even better after a day or two as the flavors meld.
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What if my sauce is too thick or too thin?
If it’s too thick, simply stir in a splash of orange juice or water until it’s just right. For a thinner sauce, cook a minute or two less next time; for thicker, simmer a little longer until more liquid evaporates.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like homemade cranberry sauce, and this Cranberry Sauce Recipe truly makes any meal feel extra special. I hope you’ll give it a try and share it with those you love—trust me, your holiday table (and your taste buds) will thank you!
Print
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy and delicious cranberry sauce recipe is the perfect addition to your holiday table. Bursting with flavor from fresh cranberries and orange zest, this sauce is a must-have for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 (12-ounce) bag cranberries
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, orange zest, water, and orange juice. Cook over medium heat until boiling.
- Add Cranberries: Once boiling, add cranberries. Cook and stir until they pop and thicken, about 8-12 minutes. Adjust cooking time for desired thickness. Stir in cinnamon.
- Cool and Chill: Transfer the sauce to a bowl. Let it cool to room temperature, then cover and chill. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days or freeze for up to a month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 86
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
