Tangy Festive Cranberry Sauce: Easy Homemade Recipe (Print Version)

Make vibrant, easy Festive Cranberry Sauce! Bursting with fresh cranberries, orange, and spices, it's a must-have for any holiday table.

# Recipe Info:

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

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 12 oz (340g) fresh cranberries, rinsed
02 - 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup (120ml) water

→ Flavor Boosters

04 - 1/2 cup (120ml) fresh orange juice
05 - 1 tablespoon orange zest
06 - 1 cinnamon stick

→ Finishing Touches

07 - Pinch of salt

→ Optional Extras

08 - A few star anise pods (for a different spice note)
09 - Splash of Grand Marnier or orange liqueur (for an adult twist)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, grab all your ingredients. I always lay everything out, mise en place style, because I'm notorious for forgetting something crucial mid-cook. Give your cranberries a good rinse under cold water, picking out any squishy ones or stray stems. You want those vibrant, firm berries ready to shine. It's a small step, but it makes a difference, trust me.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine your fresh cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice, and that lovely cinnamon stick. Give it a gentle stir to mix everything up. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. You'll start to hear the cranberries pop, which is honestly my favorite sound in the kitchen. Don't walk away from it at this stage; you want to watch for that boil!
03 - Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer. This is where the magic happens! The cranberries will continue to pop and soften, and the sauce will begin to thicken. Stir occasionally, just to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom. I usually let it go for about 10-15 minutes, until it reaches that perfect, slightly jammy consistency. It should smell absolutely incredible, like holidays in a pot!
04 - After it's thickened to your liking, remove the saucepan from the heat. Now's the time to stir in the orange zest and that tiny pinch of salt. That fresh zest really brightens everything up, and the salt just makes all the flavors sing. Don't forget to take out the cinnamon stick, unless you're into chewing on bark, which, no judgment, but probably not what we're going for here.
05 - Transfer your beautiful Festive Cranberry Sauce to a bowl or a jar. It will look a bit thin at first, and honestly, I always worry I messed up this step. But trust the process! As it cools, it will thicken up considerably. Let it cool completely at room temperature before chilling it in the refrigerator. Patience is key here, I promise it's worth the wait.
06 - Once fully chilled, your homemade Festive Cranberry Sauce will be ready to serve! It should have a lovely, spoonable consistency, bursting with tangy, sweet, and spiced flavors. It’s so much more vibrant than anything from a can, and you made it yourself! I love seeing those whole berries suspended in the glossy sauce; it just looks so inviting.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcook it; it thickens a lot as it cools, so take it off the heat when it's still a bit looser.
02 - Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10-14 days, or freeze for 2-3 months.
03 - If you don't have fresh oranges, lemon zest and juice or even apple juice can provide some acidity, though the flavor will differ.
04 - This sauce is fantastic beyond holiday meals; try it stirred into yogurt, on a cheese board, or in a leftover turkey sandwich.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Medium saucepan
02 - wooden spoon
03 - microplane/grater
04 - airtight container

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 120
Total Fat: 0g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 0g

Back