🍒 Easy Made Classic Homemade Cranberry Sauce – Sweet

CRANBERRY SAUCE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.9 from holiday cooks and cranberry lovers)
🍊 Bright | 🍬 Sweet-Tart | 🧡 Holiday Essential
No Thanksgiving or Christmas table is complete without a bowl of glistening cranberry sauce. This Homemade Cranberry Sauce strikes the perfect balance between tart and sweet, with a hint of citrus that makes every bite pop. It’s easy, fresh, and worlds better than the canned stuff!

Why You’ll Love This Eecipe

⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
⏳ Cook Time: 15 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 8–10
💰 Budget-Friendly
✨ Flavor: Bright, tangy, lightly sweet with citrus notes
💡 Perfect For: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and make-ahead holiday sides

Ingredients – Simple, Fresh, and Flavorful

12 oz (about 3 cups) fresh or frozen cranberries
¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
¼ cup water
1 tsp orange zest
½ tsp cinnamon (optional for warmth)
Pinch of salt

How to Make the Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Step 1: Combine Ingredients
In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, and cinnamon (if using). Stir to mix.
Step 2: Simmer and Pop
Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
Step 3: Cool and Set
Remove from heat and let cool completely. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Transfer to a serving dish or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Flavor Variations

Add a splash of bourbon or red wine for a grown-up twist. Mix in chopped pecans or dried cranberries for extra texture. Stir in a diced apple or pear while simmering for a fruitier version.

What Everyone’s Saying

“Never going back to canned! The orange zest makes it sing.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Marcy L.
“So easy and so fresh. I make it every Thanksgiving now.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Thomas J.
“Tart, bright, and perfectly balanced — exactly what cranberry sauce should be.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Anna P.

Cranberry Sauce – Bright, Sweet, and Perfectly Tangy

No Thanksgiving or Christmas table is complete without homemade cranberry sauce. This easy recipe uses fresh cranberries, sugar, and orange juice to create a glossy, ruby-red sauce that’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart. It pairs beautifully with turkey, ham, or even holiday desserts!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 2 tablespoons

Course: Condiment, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 70

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz 1 bag fresh or frozen cranberries
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice freshly squeezed preferred
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp orange zest optional, for brightness
• Pinch of salt
• Optional add-ins: a cinnamon stick a splash of vanilla extract, or 1 tbsp maple syrup for depth

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Microplane or zester (optional)

Method

 

Combine Ingredients:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, zest, and salt. Stir well.

Cook:

1. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once cranberries start to pop, reduce heat to low.

Simmer:

1. Cook 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and most cranberries have burst.

Cool:

1. Remove from heat. Discard cinnamon stick if used. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

Serve:

1. Chill before serving, or store in the refrigerator up to 10 days.

Notes

For a chunkier sauce, cook less time; for smoother, mash cranberries with a spoon or blend lightly.

Add 1–2 tablespoons of port wine, brandy, or Grand Marnier for a gourmet twist.

Make it ahead—it tastes even better the next day!

FAQ – Homemade Cranberry Sauce

💡 Note: This Cranberry Sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy — a classic that brings color and brightness to every holiday feast!

Serve your cranberry sauce alongside Cristal Recipes’ Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe for a cozy, old-fashioned holiday meal.