Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Printable)

Vibrant, tangy-sweet sauce ready in 20 minutes. Perfect for holiday feasts with whole berry or smooth options.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

→ Sweetener

02 - 1 cup granulated sugar

→ Liquid

03 - 1 cup water or orange juice

→ Flavorings

04 - 1/2 tsp orange zest
05 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - Pinch of salt

# How-To:

01 - Rinse the cranberries thoroughly and discard any soft or damaged berries.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and water or orange juice. Add orange zest, cinnamon, and salt if using.
03 - Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most berries have burst and sauce thickens.
05 - For whole berry sauce: Remove from heat, let cool, and refrigerate until set. For jellied sauce: Let cool slightly, then press the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove skins and seeds. Pour the strained sauce into a bowl or mold and refrigerate until firm, about 2–3 hours.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The homemade version tastes brighter and more alive than anything from a can, with a perfect balance of sweet and tart that makes everything else on the plate taste better
  • You control the texture and can customize it with your favorite add-ins like orange zest or warm spices
  • It comes together in 20 minutes but tastes like you fussed over it for hours
02 -
  • The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools, so don't worry if it seems a bit thin when you first take it off the heat
  • You'll hear the berries popping as they cook, which is oddly satisfying and a good sign that things are progressing perfectly
  • Making this a day ahead actually improves the flavor, so it's the perfect make-ahead dish for holiday menus
03 -
  • Use orange juice instead of water for a subtle citrusy note that makes everything feel more special
  • Don't skip the pinch of salt, it's the secret ingredient that makes all the flavors sing

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