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Easiest Cranberry Sauce Ever Recipe

4.9 from 138 reviews

This is a simple and quick recipe for the easiest cranberry sauce ever. Using fresh cranberries, sugar, water, and a hint of orange zest and juice, this sauce is perfectly tart and sweet, ideal for holiday meals or as a tangy side accompaniment. The addition of a cinnamon stick adds a subtle warm spice, making this homemade cranberry sauce a delicious and fresh alternative to canned varieties.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Simple Syrup: Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved, creating a clear simple syrup base for the sauce.
  2. Add Ingredients: To the saucepan, add the rinsed cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, the cinnamon stick if using, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  3. Cook Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Cook until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning on the bottom.
  4. Final Touch: Remove the saucepan from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick. Allow the cranberry sauce to cool completely; it will continue to thicken as it cools down.

Notes

  • For a smoother texture, gently mash some cranberries with a potato masher during cooking.
  • Adjust sweetness according to your preference by adding more sugar if needed.
  • This cranberry sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • When thawing frozen sauce, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick after refrigeration, stir in water one tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.

Keywords: cranberry sauce, easiest cranberry sauce, holiday cranberry sauce, fresh cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce