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–+ servings
closeup square of cranberry sauce in a white bowl.
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5 from 2 votes

Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Homemade cranberry sauce is one of those holiday dishes that tastes a thousand times better when you make it from scratch and it couldn’t be easier. This fresh cranberry sauce comes together in just 20 minutes and bursts with bright cranberry flavor, warm fall spices, and a touch of citrus from fresh orange zest and juice. If you’ve only ever served the canned version, get ready… this simple, beautiful sauce will completely upgrade your holiday table.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 101kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 12-14 oz fresh cranberries
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3/4-1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 large naval orange - zest and juice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • pinch salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine everything together in a sauce pot and place it on the stove over medium heat.
  • Stir well and let it heat through and come to a simmer. Keep cooking everything until cranberries start burst and it start to look more like jam. It will take about 15 minutes all together.
  • Once the cranberries popped and it started to thicken a bit. Take it off heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
  • Note that cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools!

Notes

  • Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: if needed, you can use frozen cranberries and use it straight from the freezer. No thawing needed.
  • Sweetness Level: Start with ¾ cup sugar for a more tart sauce, or use up to 1 cup for a classic sweet-tart balance. Adjust to taste.
  • Thickness Tips: The sauce thickens significantly as it cools. If it becomes too thick, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of orange juice or water.
  • Make-Ahead: Cranberry sauce tastes even better after a day or two. Store up to 5 days in the refrigerator in air-tight container.
  • Freezing: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and stir well before serving.
  • Serving Amount: Plan on ¼-⅓ cup per person for holiday meals.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 63IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.2mg