Description
This Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce is tart, sweet, and ready in just 20 minutes using fresh or frozen cranberries. Bursting with natural flavor and customizable with citrus and spices, it’s the perfect holiday side dish or year-round condiment that’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and always crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup water or orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest (optional)
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, and water (or orange juice) over medium heat.
- Stir occasionally and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Stir in orange zest and cinnamon, if using. Remove from heat.
- Let sauce cool to room temperature; it will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, swap some of the sugar for maple syrup or honey.
- Add a pinch of cloves, nutmeg, or star anise for a spiced version.
- Stir in chopped apples, pears, or a splash of port wine for holiday flair.
- Sauce thickens more as it cools—adjust cooking time for desired consistency.
