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This Cranberry Sauce recipe is an easy holiday classic! Ready in minutes, this homemade cranberry sauce has only four ingredients and is perfect with turkey and more!
Cranberry Sauce is one of the most simple, easy dishes I make on Thanksgiving, yet it always makes such a big impression! Everyone loves this holiday classic and it’s a delicious must with turkey! It adds one of the most favorite and memorable flavors to Thanksgiving and other holiday meals!
This homemade cranberry sauce recipe is made from scratch with just four ingredients and is ready in just 15 minutes! It’s also a perfect dish to make ahead too. Since it’s so simple to make and absolutely delicious, this is one recipe that you’ll turn to time after time!
Cranberry Sauce
How to Make Cranberry Sauce
To make this easy and classic homemade cranberry sauce, I use only four simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- cranberries – use a 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries, which is equal to about 3 cups
- fresh orange juice – as well as the zest of the same orange
- sugar – I use granulated sugar, but you can substitute with another sweetener that you prefer.
- water
Step by Step Instructions
First, I pour my orange juice, water, and the sugar into a medium saucepan set over medium heat, give it a quick stir and then let the mixture come to a boil.
Then, I add in my fresh cranberries and let it all simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.
You’ll notice the cranberries will begin to pop as they cook. I just love the popping sound as the cranberries burst open – and it always seems to make my family come through the kitchen to check out the pops too!
Be sure to watch your saucepan especially during this step to make sure that it doesn’t bubble over onto your cooktop.
How to Know When It’s Done
I’ve found that eight minutes always works just fine when I make my cranberry sauce, but if you prefer yours just a bit thicker, cooking it another minute or two will do the trick. Just remember that it will thicken as it cools.
The method I use to test the consistency of my cranberry sauce uses my wooden spoon. I spoon a bit onto a wooden spoon and then seeing how thick it is when I pour it back into the saucepan.
Once it has reached the desired consistency, I turn off the heat and stir in most of the fresh orange zest. This is optional, but I can’t recommend it enough!
Save just a little bit of orange zest to top the cranberry sauce for serving. It’s so pretty and scrumptious and looks amazing on your Thanksgiving table!
What Does Cranberry Sauce Go With?
This cranberry sauce certainly tantalizes your taste buds when you serve it along with the Roast Turkey or Roast Turkey Breast, southern cornbread dressing, turkey gravy or giblet gravy, Mashed Potatoes and more! And it’s absolutely delicious served alongside our favorite Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel topping.  It’s a definite must have dish at our family Thanksgiving meal and other times throughout the year!
It is so simple to make that you may even decide to make it year round and not save only for the holiday season. Honestly, why save it just for the holidays?! It not only tastes amazing on slices of leftover turkey in turkey wraps and turkey sandwiches when Thanksgiving is over, but leftover cranberry sauce is scrumptious on top of buttermilk pancakes or oatmeal for breakfast too!
Can You Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce?
Yes! Even though my cranberry sauce recipe comes together in a jiffy, we all know that holidays can be busy! To make your day even easier, you can absolutely make this cranberry sauce ahead of time!
Make Ahead Instructions
Simply follow the recipe instructions and set aside to cool completely.
Refrigerate: Then, you can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Freeze:Â Â Again follow the recipe instructions, let cool completely, and place in freezer safe airtight containers. It will store in the freezer for up to a month.
If frozen, you can thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can serve it cold or reheat and serve if you prefer it warm. So easy!
If you are planning ahead for your Thanksgiving meal, I’ve made it easier for you with my Make Ahead Thanksgiving meal plan and more!
More Thanksgiving and Holiday Favorites:
If you are planning ahead for your Thanksgiving meal, I’ve made it easier for you with my Make Ahead Thanksgiving meal plan and more!
More Favorite Cranberry Recipes
Cranberry Salsa over Cream Cheese
Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs
Here’s my Classic Cranberry Sauce recipe. You will love how easy it is to make from scratch and definitely want to add this to your holiday menu!
Classic Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries, washed
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup sugar
- orange zest optional
Instructions
- Bring orange juice, sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan set over medium heat.
- Add cranberries and cook over low-medium heat until they begin to pop and thickened to desired consistency, about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, add orange zest and stir until just combined.
- Top with additional orange zest for serving, if desired.
Notes
To make ahead, simply follow the recipe instructions and set aside to cool completely. Then, you can either store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days or in the freezer for up to a month. If frozen, you can thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then serve cold or reheat and serve if you prefer your cranberry sauce warmed.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published 2010.
If I am making cranberry sauce to feed 40 people and one bag 14 oz. How many bags should I buy?
Celeste, this recipe will have enough servings for 8 to 10 people using one 12-ounce bag of cranberries. You would need to make this recipe about 4 times for 40 people.