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Home » Food » Classic Cranberry Sauce

Classic Cranberry Sauce

November 9, 2019 by Kimberly Killebrew · 29 Comments

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Cranberry sauce is a staple at the holiday table and as with most things, NOTHING beats homemade.  This homemade cranberry sauce recipe is so easy and will become your go-to from now on!

cranberry sauce recipe best classic homemade orange cloves cinnamon

The holidays simple aren’t complete without homemade cranberry sauce – every dining table needs a bowl of it.  Right?

If you’re like me your reaction has generally been, “Eww, cranberry sauce.  That jelly-like gelatinous stuff that makes an unpleasant suction sound as it oozes its way out of the can.”  I agree:  The canned stuff just really isn’t very appetizing.  Homemade cranberry sauce on the other hand….totally different story.  It’s fresh, vibrant and absolutely delicious.  There just isn’t any comparison and so if like me you’ve always hated the canned stuff, give this homemade cranberry sauce a try and you may just change your mind.

This cranberry sauce is not only the perfect accompaniment to your roast turkey, it also makes a great glaze for chicken, pork and even beef.  Spread it on your sandwiches, add it to your wraps, put some in the crock pot along with your usual ingredients for pulled pork, or enjoy it in sweet baked goods like muffins, scones and tarts.  You can even add your favorite BBQ sauce to it for a fun and tasty holiday twist on BBQ sauce.  Let your imagination run free!

This classic cranberry sauce recipe will take you less than 15 minutes to whip this up and it will store in the fridge for at least a couple of weeks.

cranberry sauce recipe best classic homemade orange cloves cinnamon

Let’s get started!

Bring the orange juice, sugar, salt, cinnamon (see note in recipe box) and cloves to a boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

how to make cranberry sauce

Add the cranberries and orange zest and simmer over medium-low for about 12 minutes until the cranberries have popped and are soft.

If you prefer your cranberry sauce extra chunky, add in another 1/4 cup or so of cranberries and simmer for another minute or two.

homemade cranberry sauce
Let the cranberry sauce cool completely and then refrigerate in a non-reactive airtight container for up to two weeks.

cranberry sauce recipe

Let cool completely and then store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Enjoy!

cranberry sauce recipe best classic homemade orange cloves cinnamon

If you’re both a cranberry and a salmon fan, be sure to try our delicious Salmon with Cranberry Ginger Mustard Sauce!

Classic Cranberry Sauce

Kimberly Killebrew
Cranberry sauce is a staple at the holiday table and as with most things, NOTHING beats homemade.  This homemade cranberry sauce recipe is so easy and will become your go-to from now on!
Print Recipe
4.34 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course condiment
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 99 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick (optional, see Note)
  • 3 whole cloves (most easily retrieved if you put them in a muslin spice bag or cheesecloth while simmering)
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

Instructions
 

  • Bring the orange juice, sugar, salt, cinnamon and cloves to a boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cranberries and orange zest and simmer over medium-low for about 12 minutes until the cranberries have popped and are soft. *If you prefer your cranberry sauce extra chunky, add in another couple of tablespoons of cranberries and simmer for another minute or two.
  • Let the cranberry sauce cool completely and then refrigerate in a non-reactive airtight container for up to two weeks.

Notes

*The cinnamon is optional depending on whether you want that flavor profile in your cranberry sauce. You may wish to leave it out if you're using this sauce as a condiment for turkey or as a sandwich spread. The cinnamon is a great addition though if you're using the cranberry sauce as a glaze for roasted meats or in baked goods like muffins and scones.

Nutrition

Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 13.8mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Keyword Cranberry Sauce
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet

 

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29 Comments →

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29 Responses

  1. cathy @ Noble Pig says

    December 11, 2016 at 10:54 pm

    Scratch is the only way to make cranberry sauce.

    Reply
  2. Lauren @ Hall Nesting says

    December 10, 2016 at 9:34 am

    I can’t believe I’ve never made cranberry sauce from scratch! 😲

    Reply
  3. Isabelle @ Crumb says

    December 10, 2016 at 8:04 am

    You just can’t go wrong with the classics! I usually make mine with water, but I love the idea of using orange juice for a little extra flavour boost… definitely so much better than the canned stuff, and so easy to make that there’s really no reason to buy anyway. :)

    Reply
  4. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

    December 10, 2016 at 7:06 am

    Homemade cranberry sauce is the best! This looks amazing. :)

    Reply
  5. Karyn Granrud says

    December 9, 2016 at 10:07 am

    I love homemade cranberry sauce! This recipe sounds so good.

    Reply
  6. Lauren Keating says

    December 9, 2016 at 9:43 am

    Looks great, cranberry sauce is everybody’s favorite!

    Reply
  7. cathy | Lemon Tree Dwelling says

    December 9, 2016 at 5:49 am

    I love homemade cranberry sauce – it’s such a necessary addition to a holiday meal!

    Reply
  8. Sandi G says

    December 8, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    Your fresh cranberry sauce looks amazing…I agree, the canned stuff is awful.

    Reply
  9. Amanda | The Chunky Chef says

    December 8, 2016 at 7:18 pm

    I love cranberry sauce, but hate that canned stuff. Totally making this homemade version!

    Reply
  10. Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says

    December 8, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Homemade cranberry sauce is the only way to go. I toss a sweet apple in mine with the cinnamon stick. I’ll have to try your recipe with the orange juice. Yum!

    Reply
  11. Jessica @Savory Experiments says

    December 8, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    Looks lovely! I want to eat cranberry sauce ALL year long!

    Reply
  12. Alyssa | EverydayMaven says

    December 8, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    I am a big fan of homemade cranberry sauce!

    Reply
  13. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

    December 8, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    So pretty! I bet it tastes as great as it looks!

    Reply
  14. Erin @ The Speckled Palate says

    December 8, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    YUM! I love fresh cranberry sauce (as opposed to that icky canned stuff) and LOVE the idea of using this as a glaze for meat. I’ve never done that before, but I’m definitely gonna give it a go now because this stuff is my fave!

    Reply
  15. The Food Hunter says

    December 8, 2016 at 11:14 am

    You know I never make it…always someone else brings it over. :)

    Reply
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