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–+ servings
Fresh Cranberry Sauce in a white bowl with orange wedge and serving spoon
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

With just 4 ingredients and about 20 minutes of time, you can have a homemade fresh cranberry sauce that everyone will rave over! Sweet, tart, and perfect with all your Thanksgiving fixings. Plus, you can easily make it ahead of time!
Yield: 12 1/4-cup servings

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries about 3 cups
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar + additional sugar if needed
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest from one medium-size fresh orange
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • Rinse and sort the berries - if any are super mushy, discard them.
  • Place a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add cranberries, 1/2 cup sugar, orange zest, and water.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce comes to a boil.
  • Continue to boil until the sauce gets juicier and the berries burst and break down, about 15 minutes
  • Taste for sweetness. If it's too tart, add more sugar - about a tablespoon or two at a time - until the sweet/tart balance is just right for you.
  • Once you've found the perfect amount of sugar, stir and cook for another minute or so to make sure the sugar dissolves.
  • Remove from heat and let cool, then spoon into your serving container or an airtight container for storing.
  • Keeps for up to one week refrigerated in an airtight container, or for up to two months in the freezer.

Notes

Sweetener Option

Use pure maple syrup or honey (if not vegan).

Vegan Option

Be sure to use vegan sugar or substitute pure maple syrup.

Storing Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Place cranberry sauce in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. (Some sources say you can store your cranberry sauce for up to 2 weeks in the fridge but I like to be on the safe side and freeze if I'm pushing a week ahead of time or longer). You can also freeze it for up to 3 months then thaw it overnight in the fridge before serving. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 45kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.003g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 24mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 18IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 0.1mg