Classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce: My Tangy Holiday Side (Print Version)

Classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce Recipe, a vibrant, tangy side. Learn my simple, personal method for this festive favorite, perfect for any holiday table.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 12 oz (about 3 cups) fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar

→ Flavor Boosters

03 - 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
04 - 1/2 cup water
05 - 1 cinnamon stick

→ Optional Zest

06 - 1 tablespoon orange zest (from one orange)

→ Make It Special

07 - Pinch of salt (optional, but recommended)

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, let's get everything ready for this Classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce Recipe. I like to wash my cranberries and pick out any sad-looking ones – nobody wants those! Then, grab your saucepan, measure out your sugar, juice, and water. Don't forget to zest your orange before you juice it; I always forget that step and then have to dig for my zester after juicing. The smell of fresh orange zest always puts me in a festive mood, a true sign the holidays are near.
02 - Now, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan. Bring it all to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. This is where the magic starts to happen for your Classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce. You'll hear the cranberries starting to pop, which is a glorious sound, honestly. Don't rush it, just let it come to a nice, happy simmer. I once tried to crank the heat to speed it up and ended up with burnt sugar on the bottom – learn from my oops moment!
03 - Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You'll see those beautiful cranberries bursting open, releasing their tangy juices. Keep stirring gently, just to make sure nothing sticks. The sauce will start to thicken, and the whole kitchen will smell like Christmas. It’s such a comforting aroma, a real sensory treat. You want it to be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, but still a bit saucy. This is the heart of a good Classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce.
04 - After those cranberries have done their thing and the sauce has thickened nicely, remove the saucepan from the heat. This is the moment for the orange zest! Stir it in now – adding it at the end preserves its bright, fresh flavor. I made the mistake of adding it at the beginning once, and it just cooked away, losing its punch. This little step makes such a difference to the final Classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce, giving it that extra layer of citrusy brightness.
05 - Let the Classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce cool completely in the saucepan. As it cools, it will thicken even more, becoming that perfect consistency we all love. Sometimes I get impatient and try to serve it too warm, and it's a bit runny. So, give it time, hon! You can transfer it to a serving bowl once it's cooled down a bit. The deep red color just gets more vibrant as it settles.
06 - Once fully cooled, cover your Classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce and pop it in the fridge for at least a few hours, or even overnight. This allows the flavors to really meld and deepen, making it taste even better. When you're ready to serve, pull it out a little before dinner to let it come closer to room temperature, or serve it chilled. It’s amazing either way, a true star on any holiday plate.

# Notes:

01 - Always use fresh cranberries, hon. Frozen just don't pop the same!\nYou can make this a few days ahead and keep it chilled. It actually tastes better when the flavors meld.\nIf you're out of orange, a splash of apple cider or even a little lemon zest works in a pinch.\nSpoon it warm over vanilla ice cream for a surprisingly delightful dessert, trust me!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Medium saucepan
02 - whisk
03 - measuring cups
04 - zester (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 150
Total Fat: 0.5g
Total Carbohydrate: 38g
Protein: 0.5g

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