Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Course Appetizer, Condiment, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword best-cranberry-sauce-recipe, cranberry-sauce-recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Cooling Time 1

Total Time 1 20

Servings servings

Calories 102kcal

Place the cranberries in a colander and rinse under cold water. Pick over and discard any damaged or bruised cranberries.
Add to a medium saucepan with orange juice, sugar and orange zest. Stir to evenly distribute the sugar.
Bring to a boil, then immediately lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries have burst and slightly reduced, stirring occasionally.
Remove from the heat and let cool completely to room temperature, then serve garnished with orange curls or orange zest. (It will continue to thicken as it cools).
Alternately, refrigerate until serving in an airtight container.

Cranberries - You can use fresh or frozen cranberries for this simple recipe. If using frozen, there's no need to thaw prior to adding them to the pot.
Spices - You can add minced ginger or a cinnamon stick to the simmering berries. You could also add a pinch of nutmeg or clove, for a hint of spice.
Orange Juice - You can replace the orange juice with water.
Apple Juice - You could use apple juice in place of orange juice.
Sugar - You could use half brown sugar and half white sugar for a hint of molasses flavor.
Spirits - You could add a glug of cherry liquor or grand marnier after cooking. (for adults only)
Pineapple - You can add one 8 ounce can of crushed pineapple. (don't drain.) Reduce orange juice to 1/2 cup.
Peppers - You could add minced jalapeno pepper and a splash of lime juice, for a spicy Tex-Mex flavor. You could also add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
Nuts - Once the cranberry sauce has cooked, stir in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans.
Fresh Herbs - You could add chopped fresh rosemary for an earthy flavor.