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Fresh cranberry sauce tastes amazing with every other dish on your Thanksgiving table. Make it ahead of time for less stress!
Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without fresh cranberry sauce smothered on your Turkey, Dinner Rolls, and Best Mashed Potatoes.
We Love It!
I just love holidays. There’s nothing better than food and family and fresh cranberry sauce is a staple. Here’s why we love it:
- Quick. Ready in under 20 minutes!
- Simple. It requires few ingredients.
- Easily made ahead. It stores well in the fridge for several days.
- Flavor. Homemade cranberry sauce tastes so much better than canned sauce!
Ingredients
- fresh cranberries – Wash and remove any old or bruised berries. Let dry. Or use an equal amount of frozen cranberries without needing to thaw them first.
- 1 orange – Zest first using a zester, the small side of a cheese grater, or a small paring knife. Then juice the orange.
- sugar
- brown sugar
- water
- cinnamon sticks
- ground allspice
- ground nutmeg
How to Make Cranberry Sauce
- BERRIES. Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a medium pot over medium heat.
- BOIL. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and mix in the cinnamon stick, allspice, and nutmeg. Simmer for 5-7 minutes (some of the cranberries will burst and some will remain whole).
- COOL. Stir in the orange juice and zest. Cool before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Sauce tartness. The tartness increases the longer the cranberry sauce cooks. Some people love the tangy taste while others don’t. There are a few ways to counteract the tart flavor, but not eliminate it:
- Add more sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
- Stir in a pinch of baking soda.
- Allow it to chill in the fridge for a few days so the flavors meld together more and dampen that tang.
- Thicken the sauce. It will thicken as it cools. The easiest way to remedy a runny sauce is to allow it to simmer longer before chilling.
- Or add cornstarch to thicken the sauce: In a separate bowl mix together 1-2 teaspoons of cold water with an equal amount of cornstarch. Once smooth, add it to the simmering sauce.
- Leftovers. Use it to make leftover Turkey Sandwiches.
Make a Complete Meal
Cranberry orange sauce tastes amazing with pretty much every other Thanksgiving dish out there.
Serve it on the side of your Roast Turkey, Potato Rolls, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, and Green Bean Casserole.
Storing Info
- Make ahead of time. Make fresh cranberry sauce up to one week ahead of time and keep it in your fridge in an airtight container. Perfection!!
- FREEZE. To prevent freezer burn, make sure it is kept in an airtight freezer-safe container. Use it within two months for the best results. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before ready to serve.
For More Thanksgiving Recipes:
Fresh Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Fresh cranberry sauce tastes amazing with every other dish on your Thanksgiving table. Make it ahead of time for less stress!
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh cranberries washed & dried
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 cinnamon sticks
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 orange zested & juices
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, sugars, and water in a medium pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and mix in the cinnamon stick, allspice, and nutmeg. Simmer for 5-7 minutes (some of the cranberries will burst and some will remain whole).
- Stir in the orange juice and zest. Cool before serving.
Video
Notes
Make ahead of time. Make fresh cranberry sauce up to one week ahead of time and keep it in your fridge in an airtight container.
FREEZE. To prevent freezer burn, make sure it is kept in an airtight freezer-safe container. Use it within two months for the best results. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before ready to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 1128kcal, Carbohydrates: 291g, Protein: 1g, Sodium: 27mg, Potassium: 334mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 283g, Vitamin A: 295IU, Vitamin C: 69.7mg, Calcium: 148mg, Iron: 0.8mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This is hands down the BEST cranberry sauce ever!!! My family loves it so much, I keep some made up in the fridge all fall and winter long! ❤️
I am so glad I saved your recipe. Made for Thanksgiving and was a big hit. Going to make another batch, freeze for Christmas and see how it will taste on my homemade cheesecake.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas 🎄🎁
MY stores Do not have fresh cranberries. Have you ever tried to doctor up canned ones with this recipe?
I personally have not, but you definitely could!
I love anything that can be made ahead of time. If your a fan of cranberry sauce this is the recipe to try.
This is way more appealing and tasty than the lined glob that comes frOm a can. Youre recipe tastes great alone or spread on the tuRkey or rolls.
Such a classic dish and recipe. everyone should seriously make it homemade for thanksgiving, especially when it’s so easy.
This is such an easy & delicious recipe. We have to have this at the holidays..it’s always gone in minutes!
I’m supposed to bring cranberry sauce to the family gathering this year, so I tested this out and it’s great! Thank you!
This delicious and easy sauce will be on my table this year!
HOmemade is the way to go! I have honestly never been the biggest fan of cranberry sauce, but my family loves it. This is super quick & easy!