Easiest Homemade Cranberry Sauce
An easy and quick homemade cranberry sauce that boasts a perfect sweet-tart flavor, perfect for holiday feasts and everyday meals.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 50kcal
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 piece cinnamon stick (optional)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved, creating a simple syrup.
- Add the rinsed cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon stick (if you're using it), and a pinch of salt to the saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst open and the sauce has thickened.
- Once done, remove the saucepan from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick.
- Allow your cranberry sauce to cool completely; it will thicken further as it cools.
Notes
This cranberry sauce can be served with turkey, as part of a cheese platter, or as a spread for breakfast items. For variations, consider adding nutmeg or ginger, using less sugar, or including chopped apples or pears.