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Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

This Homemade Cranberry Sauce is a fresh, vibrant, and tangy addition to any holiday meal. Made quickly with simple ingredients like fresh cranberries, sugar, orange zest and juice, and water, it offers the perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Easy to customize and versatile, it pairs beautifully with turkey, pork, cheese boards, and more.

Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar (adjustable to taste)
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, pour in the fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and water. Add the cinnamon stick if desired for extra holiday warmth.
  2. Cook and Simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered. Wait until the cranberries start popping and the sauce thickens; this should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Final Stir and Adjust: Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick. Stir the sauce well, taste, and adjust the sweetness if needed. Let the sauce cool slightly before transferring it to a serving dish or jar.

Notes

  • Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor, although frozen can be used without thawing.
  • Don’t rush the simmering process; allow berries to pop naturally for ideal texture.
  • Add citrus zest to brighten flavors and balance sweetness.
  • Make the sauce a day ahead; it tastes even better after resting overnight in the fridge.
  • Adjust thickness by adding water if too thick, or simmer longer if too thin.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade, holiday recipe, festive, tangy, easy cranberry sauce, fresh cranberries