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The Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

4.9 from 76 reviews

A simple and delicious homemade cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries, natural sweetener, and brightened with orange zest and juice. This recipe yields a perfectly tangy and sweet sauce that’s ideal for holiday meals or as a flavorful accompaniment to roasted meats.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 12 oz (340 g) fresh cranberries (or frozen)
  • ½ cup (170 g) maple syrup (or honey)
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 1 stick of cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a small pan, mix together the cranberries, maple syrup, orange zest, orange juice, and cinnamon stick until evenly combined.
  2. Cook the Sauce: Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and stir occasionally. Cook for 10-15 minutes until most cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
  3. Remove Cinnamon Stick: After simmering, remove the cinnamon stick from the sauce to avoid overpowering flavors.
  4. Cool and Store: Allow the sauce to cool completely; it will thicken further as it cools. Transfer to a container and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

  • For a sweeter sauce, you can adjust the amount of maple syrup or honey to taste.
  • Using frozen cranberries is a convenient alternative to fresh and works just as well.
  • The sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
  • Try adding a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg for extra warmth and depth of flavor.
  • This sauce is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners but also pairs wonderfully with roasted poultry year-round.

Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, orange cranberry sauce, natural sweetener sauce, stovetop cranberry sauce