Cranberry Sauce
Make your holiday meals extra special with this easy and delicious homemade cranberry sauce. It's sweet, a little tangy, and perfect to serve with turkey or ham!
Cranberry Sauce
Growing up, we always had cranberry sauce from a can as well as homemade cranberry sauce on the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Cranberry Sauce is a traditional sauce to have with Thanksgiving.
Our recipe for homemade cranberry sauce is sweet and tangy with a touch of orange and a hint of cinnamon.
This versatile sauce is quick and easy to make, requiring only a few steps on the stovetop.
Whether you're serving it with turkey, spreading it on sandwiches, or mixing it into yogurt, this cranberry sauce adds a burst of flavor to many dishes.
By making your own cranberry sauce from scratch, you’ll enjoy a fresh and tasty complement to your favorite meals.
Ingredients for Cranberry Sauce
Fresh cranberries: Look for bright, firm cranberries without any dark, soft spots. Be sure to rinse them well before using.
Granulated sugar: Adjust the amount based on your preference for sweetness. You can start with less and add more if needed after tasting.
Orange - juice and rind (about 1 tablespoon rind): Be sure to zest the orange before juicing it. Fresh juice is always best, but in a pinch, you can use bottled orange juice and pre-packaged zest.
Cinnamon stick: Make sure to remove the cinnamon stick before serving. If you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can break the stick in half. Alternatively, you can use a pinch of ground cinnamon.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce
Prepare
Start by going through the cranberries to take out small stones or imperfect berries.
Afterward, wash the cranberries well to make sure they are clean.
Cook
Place the cranberries in a medium saucepan.
Add the sugar, water, and cinnamon stick and then bring to a boil on the stove. Once boiling, turn the heat down and simmer for about 10 minutes.
You'll see the cranberries start to pop and break down, and the sauce should begin to get thicker.
Cool
Once the sauce has thickened and the cranberries have broken down, take the saucepan off the heat.
Once the cranberry sauce has cooled to room temperature, remove the cinnamon stick. Then cover with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to cool completely.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips & tricks for making this cranberry sauce:
Prep the Cranberries: Sort through the cranberries to remove any small stones or damaged berries. Rinse them thoroughly with water.
Spice it Up: You can add chopped jalapeños or a bit of horseradish for a spicy kick.
Use Water: If needed, you can sub water for the orange juice.
Make It Ahead: Cranberry sauce can be made earlier if needed. You can make it up to 10 days ahead of time. Just make sure it's in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap and stored in the fridge.
Less Sweet: If you prefer your cranberry sauce less sweet, use only ¾ cup of sugar and taste as you go.
How to Store Leftovers
To store leftover cranberry sauce, let it cool to room temperature.
Either cover the container with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Cranberry sauce can stay good in the fridge for up to 10 days.
If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it.
To freeze cranberry sauce, spoon it into a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic freezer bag. Leave a little space at the top, as the sauce may expand when it freezes.
Label the container or bag with the date so you remember when you froze it.
Cranberry sauce can stay in the freezer for up to two months. When you are ready to use it again, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight.
Give it a good stir before serving to mix any separated liquid back into the sauce.
What to Serve with Cranberry Sauce
Roast Turkey: The classic pairing that makes for a perfect Thanksgiving meal.
Stuffing: Savory stuffing complements the tartness of cranberry sauce beautifully.
Mashed Potatoes: The creamy texture of mashed potatoes goes well with the tangy sauce.
Pork Tenderloin: The sweetness of cranberry sauce enhances the flavors of a juicy pork tenderloin.
Brie Cheese: Spread some cranberry sauce over warm brie for a delicious appetizer.
Ham: Cranberry sauce adds a sweet and tangy contrast to the saltiness of ham.
Sweet Potatoes: The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes pairs well with the tart cranberry sauce.
Turkey Sandwiches: Use leftover cranberry sauce with turkey and bread to make some delicious turkey sandwiches.
Green Beans: Try eating a side of green beans with a dollop of cranberry sauce.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Make sure you remember to make dessert! Try our berry cheesecake salad or classic cherry delight.
Make sure to "PIN IT" for later and follow Gather in my Kitchen on Pinterest for all the latest easy and delicious recipes!
Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries 1 bag
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 orange – juice and rind about 1 tablespoon rind
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Go through cranberries and remove any small stones. Rinse cranberries.
- In a medium saucepan combine cranberries, sugar, water and cinnamon stick and bring to a boil.
- Once mixture is at a boil, turn heat down to a strong simmer.
- Continue simmering about 10 minutes or until cranberries start to pop and break down. Your sauce should also start to thicken.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Remove cinnamon stick. Cover with saran wrap and cool in fridge.
Notes
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you've used.
