Description
This easy cranberry sauce recipe is a classic holiday favorite that’s simple to make and bursting with fresh, tangy flavors. Made with fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, and water, and optionally enhanced with orange zest and juice, this sauce is perfect for complementing turkey, chicken, or even as a sweet spread for breads and desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 bag (12 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tsp orange zest (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh orange juice (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and water to prepare for cooking.
- Boil Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, which helps dissolve the sugar and begin cooking the cranberries.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens to a desired consistency.
- Add Orange Flavors: Stir in the optional orange zest and fresh orange juice to add a bright citrus dimension to the sauce.
- Cool Sauce: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the cranberry sauce to cool to room temperature. It will thicken further as it cools.
- Refrigerate and Serve: Transfer the finished sauce to a serving dish, refrigerate until chilled, and serve alongside your meal.
Notes
- For a smoother sauce, you can pulse the cooled sauce briefly in a blender.
- Adjust sugar based on your sweetness preference or use a sugar substitute to reduce calories.
- If you prefer a zest-free sauce, omit the orange zest and juice.
- Leftover cranberry sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- For an added spice kick, add a cinnamon stick or a pinch of ground cloves during simmering, then remove before cooling.
