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–+ servings
Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange & Cinnamon overhead shot

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Rufus Dewanou
Bright, tangy, and perfectly balanced with orange and cinnamon, this easy homemade cranberry sauce will elevate your holiday table and convert even canned-sauce loyalists.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Recipe Type Condiment, Pantry Essential, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 Cups
Calories 93 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Citrus zester
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Airtight jar or serving bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz 1 bag fresh cranberries (or frozen, unthawed)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup apple cider or orange juice
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest from 1 orange
  • 1 small cinnamon stick or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional flavor boosters
  • 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or brandy
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves or allspice

Instructions
 

Combine & Simmer:

  • In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, apple cider, water, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and salt. Stir well.

Cook Until Berries Pop:

  • Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most cranberries have burst and sauce thickens.

Flavor & Cool:

  • Remove from heat. Stir in optional brandy or vanilla if using. Discard cinnamon stick.

Chill & Set:

  • Let cool to room temperature. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Transfer to serving bowl or airtight jar. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to 1 week).

Notes

For a smoother sauce, mash cranberries with a spoon while cooking or blend briefly after cooling.
For chunkier sauce, leave some whole berries intact.
Add diced apple or pear for more texture.
Perfect for turkey, on brie crostini, swirled into yogurt, or spread on sandwiches.
Make-ahead: Store in fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 80gCalories: 93kcalSodium: 15mgPotassium: 44mgFiber: 2gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 35IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword easy cranberry recipe, homemade cranberry sauce, orange cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving cranberry sauce
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