Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Fresh and Easy!) - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published November 9, 2019. Updated November 21, 2019

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Once you try this fresh Cranberry Sauce recipe you’ll never want to buy it canned again! This is so much better and incredibly easy to make! It’s perfectly sweetened, lightly tart, and has a deliciously bright cranberry and orange flavor.

It’s truly the perfect accompaniment to roast turkey or roast chicken.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Fresh and Easy!) - Cooking Classy (1)

The Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe!

Is there anything like a delicious, made from scratch Thanksgiving or Christmas meal? Chances are most of us have settled for the stuff that comes out of a can or a box, and that’s just it, it’s settling.

If you’ve been one of those people that has been settling, I would highly recommend this year you give the homemade alternative to the pre-packaged and processed Thanksgiving foods a try. The two are a night and day difference.

Canned cranberry sauce and homemade cranberry sauce just don’t even compare.

One comes in the shape of a can while it’s homemade opponent has a spoonable texture and tastes like fresh fruit. And the homemade sauce isn’t jelly like, it’s perfectly sauce-like, the way it’s meant to be.

I look forward to this every year! Try it and you’ll never look back, trust me!

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What Ingredients go into Homemade Cranberry Sauce?

You’ll only need 4 ingredients (plus water):

  • Fresh cranberries – if you have some in the freezer those will work too, you can even start with frozen they’ll just need to simmer a little longer.
  • Oranges – only use fresh oranges here. Be sure to zest first before halving and juicing.
  • Granulated sugar – cranberries are super tart so the sugar is a must to sweeten it up. I sometimes juice raw cranberries and it’s a punch of tartness that’s hard to swallow. This is made to be enjoyable.
  • Light brown sugar – I like to use both types of sugar for that little bit of extra flavor you get from brown sugar, but use half white sugar so it’s not overpowering.

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How to Make Fresh Cranberry Sauce:

  • Combine all ingredients in a saucepan: In a medium saucepan combine cranberries, water, orange zest, orange juice, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
  • Boil then reduce to a simmer: Set over medium-high heat and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
  • Cook until cranberries burst: Allow mixture to simmer about 10 – 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have popped.
  • Let cool and thicken slightly: Allow mixture to cool about 20-30, the natural pectins in the cranberries will thicken up the sauce a bit as it cools.

POSSIBLE VARIATIONS:

  • Simmer with a cinnamon stick and/or add a few pinches of ground nutmeg and cloves.
  • Substitute water with an unsweetened cranberry juice or a cranberry juice blend.
  • Add 1/2 tsp vanilla.
  • Mix in chopped pecans after cooling.

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Can I Freeze Cranberry Sauce?

Yes cranberry sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freeze in an airtight container (be sure to leave the 1/2-inch gap on top for expansion as it freezes), thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use then rewarm if desired.

And of course it can also be refrigerated for a few days if you want to make it in advance before the holidays.

What Can I Make with Leftover Cranberry Sauce?

Here’s a few random ideas if you happen to have any left over cranberry sauce after the holiday:

  • spread over toast or pancakes
  • serve warm over chocolate or vanilla ice cream
  • spread on a turkey sandwich
  • make into a dressing orvinaigrette
  • spread over a cream cheese slathered bagel
  • add to a fruit smoothie
  • use it as a dip for chicken nuggets/sticks
  • serve with rotisserie chicken or pork chops
  • make a tangy barbecue sauce with it
  • add atop cheesecake
  • swirl into a chicken or turkey salad
  • layer cheese slices or cream cheese over crackers and spread with cranberry sauce
  • mix in breakfast oatmeal and top with sweetened whipped cream

Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Fresh and Easy!) - Cooking Classy (5)

More Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Apple Cranberry Rosemary Stuffing
  • Autumn Roasted Vegetables
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • One Hour Dinner Rolls
  • Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Sweet Potato Casserole

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Fresh and Easy!) - Cooking Classy (6)

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Homemade Cranberry Sauce

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Once you try this fresh Cranberry Sauce recipe you'll never want to buy it canned again! It's so much better and incredibly easy to make! It's perfectly sweetened, lightly tart, and has a deliciously bright cranberry and orange flavor.

Servings: 10

Prep5 minutes minutes

Cook15 minutes minutes

Ready in: 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries, rinsed
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan combine cranberries, water, orange zest, orange juice, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.

  • Set over medium-high heat and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat medium-low.

  • Let simmer about 10 - 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have burst and sauce has reduced slightly.

  • Allow mixture to cool about 20 - 30 minutes to thicken up slightly. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Frozen cranberries will work well here too.
  • Sauce can be frozen up to 3 months. Cool before freezing, leave 1/2-inch gap in container for expansion. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use.
  • If you don't have any brown sugar all white sugar can be used.

POSSIBLE VARIATIONS:

  • Simmer with a cinnamon stick and/or add a few pinches of ground nutmeg and cloves.
  • Substitute water with an unsweetened cranberry juice or a cranberry juice blend.
  • Add 1/2 tsp vanilla.
  • Mix in some chopped pecans after cooling.

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 101

% Daily Value*

Sodium 4mg0%

Potassium 68mg2%

Carbohydrates 26g9%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 23g26%

Vitamin A 45IU1%

Vitamin C 11mg13%

Calcium 13mg1%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cranberry Sauce

Author: Jaclyn

Recipe originally shared November 2012, photos have been updated.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Fresh and Easy!) - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

How do you cut the tartness out of cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

Their sharp tang counteracts bitter flavors without having to add extra sugar. While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries.

How to jazz up cranberry sauce? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

How long does homemade cranberry sauce last in a mason jar? ›

Homemade cranberry sauce will last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days. Canned cranberry sauce that has been opened will last up to a week in the fridge.

What takes the bitterness out of cranberry sauce? ›

If your cranberry sauce comes out tasting too bitter, don't reach for the sugar. Granulated sugar might make the situation worse, especially if you don't have time to reheat the sauce so the sugar can dissolve properly. Instead, reach for another sweetener: maple syrup.

What cancels out tartness? ›

too sour or acidic. Ever made a salad dressing or tomato sauce that makes your mouth pucker a little bit too much? Add a pinch of sugar and some salt for a quick fix.

What counteracts tartness? ›

Tartness is a subset of sourness, but it implies that the acidity is coming specifically from citrus. It's easily counteracted with a small amount of sugar, honey or maple syrup.

What thickens cranberry sauce? ›

The sugar in the syrup helps the mixture thicken. It could also be because you haven't cooked the mixture long enough. The cranberries need to cook long enough to burst so that they release plenty of pectin which is a thickener naturally found in cranberries.

Is canned cranberry sauce better than homemade? ›

While there are some editors who prefer homemade cranberry sauce, the canned variety also has quite a following. "There's something so beautifully perfect about the texture of canned cranberry sauce, and none of those homemade mess will ever compete," says Senior Digital Food Editor Kimberly Holland.

Can I freeze homemade cranberry sauce? ›

Yes, you can freeze homemade cranberry sauce—and it works well. It's best to store it in the freezer for up to 3 months; the taste may be affected due to its water content if frozen longer. Keep this in mind when putting away your leftover sauce and use it during this optimal period as part of an easy weeknight dinner.

Can homemade cranberry sauce be left out overnight? ›

What to Do if You Left Out Cranberry Sauce Overnight. We hear you: After a full day cooking and hosting and (hopefully) enjoying Thanksgiving, some things are bound to fall by the wayside. But if you leave cranberry sauce out over night, whether it is homemade or store-bought, please throw it away.

Should cranberry sauce be served warm or cold? ›

Cranberry sauce is best served at room temperature or slightly chilled. (You've got enough things on the menu to warm up! Don't make the list longer!) I tend to make cranberry sauce a few days before Thanksgiving and then set it on the table about an hour or two before we plan to eat.

Why do you open cranberry sauce upside down? ›

"The rounded end of the can is filled with an air bubble vacuum, which makes it easier to get the sauce out," he explained.

Why is my cranberry sauce seedy? ›

Why is my cranberry sauce so seedy? Cranberries do have seeds inside them. Sometimes, when using frozen cranberries, if it does not cook long enough, the seeds may not break down. This can cause the sauce to taste seedy.

How do you thicken cranberry sauce after it cools? ›

The sauce will thicken as it cools. If you want a cranberry mold that holds its shape, continue to boil the mixture so that more pectin is released from the fruit, additional water evaporates, and the sauce becomes thick enough to set into a firm gel.

How do you offset Tartness? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal.

How do you reduce sourness in cranberry juice? ›

If you don't like their sour taste, add some sugar to cut through the sourness. You can also store the cranberry juice in a sealed dark container till you feel like sipping on them at a later time.

Why does cranberry juice taste so tart? ›

The tartness of cranberry juice derives from its mixed content of polyphenols, including flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and ellagitannins.

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