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Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe


  • Author: Sarah White

Description

Quick and easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce with orange zest — tangy, fresh, and perfect for holiday dinners.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 12 oz (340 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 2 tsp finely grated orange zest
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients
    In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, cranberries, orange zest, and salt. Add 1/2 cup of water.
  2. Simmer gently
    Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will pop as they soften, releasing natural pectin that thickens the sauce.
  3. Adjust sweetness
    Taste and adjust sugar if desired. For a tangier sauce, add a squeeze of fresh orange juice or lemon juice.
  4. Cool and thicken
    Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
  5. Serve or store
    Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside roasted turkey, chicken, or ham.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a cinnamon stick or a splash of orange liqueur while simmering.

If using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw — add them directly to the pan.

The sauce thickens naturally, so don’t overcook or it may become too stiff once chilled.

Stir occasionally while cooling to prevent a skin from forming.

Keywords: Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe