Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Homemade & Ready in 15 Minutes)
Tart, sweet, and glowing ruby red, this cranberry sauce recipe is what cozy holidays taste like. Whether you’re spooning it over juicy turkey or sneaking bites straight from the fridge, this homemade version brings so much more flavor than anything from a can.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup water or orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange optional
- 1 cinnamon stick optional
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Rinse and sort the cranberries, removing any soft or shriveled ones.
- Add cranberries, sugar, and liquid to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until sugar dissolves, then bring to a gentle boil.
- Add orange zest, cinnamon stick, and salt if using.
- Let simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- You’ll hear the berries pop as they cook—this is normal and satisfying.
- Once thickened, remove from heat and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a bowl and chill before serving or store in the fridge.
Notes
Let it cool fully before serving—this helps it thicken up beautifully. If it feels too thick after chilling, stir in a splash of juice or water. Want to serve it warm? Just reheat gently over low heat. Make it 3–5 days ahead and stash it in the fridge in a sealed jar. Need a show-stopping dessert idea? Spoon it over a cranberry orange curd tart for a holiday-worthy finish.