5 from 3 votes

The Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Easy and Homemade!)

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This easy 5 ingredient cranberry sauce recipe takes just 20 minutes and is the best homemade version I have ever tasted!
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
ยฃ0.42
Makes: 10
Sauce, Side
American
Freezable

Are you ready to experience the best cranberry sauce recipe ever?  With just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes of time, this traditional cranberry sauce will whisk you back to the Christmasโ€™ of yore!

up close picture of the best homemade cranberry sauce in a pan with a wooden spoon.

Why youโ€™ll love this recipe

  • Quick and Easy to make:  I always assumed that cranberry sauce recipes took around an hour to make, but this recipe is whipped up in just 20 minutes! 
  • Traditional flavors:ย  the perfect balance of sweet and tart- this recipe is so festive, with the rosemary and orange flavours servings to give you all of the Christmas and Thanksgiving vibes.ย 
  • Budget friendly: this cranberry sauce uses just 5 ingredients and also utilises the juice and zest of an orange, to maximise flavour and minimise food waste. 
  • Make ahead: Christmas and thanksgiving can be a stressful time in the kitchen, so any recipes that can be made ahead of time can really help alleviate stress. This can be super in advance- I love to make this a week ahead of festivities to really spread out the tasks! 
  • Vegan Friendly: some homemade cranberry sauce recipes use honey but youโ€™ll be pleased to hear that this recipe is suitable for vegans, as we get the sweetness from sugar!

Pair this yummy homemade cranberry recipe with one of these protein-rich mains for an even tastier meal: Easy Turkey Steak Recipe (10 minutes or less!), Easy Roasted Turkey Legs, The Best Leftover Turkey Salad.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make the best cranberry sauce on the stove laid out on a pale blue background and labeled with arrows.

The main ingredients that make this best cranberry sauce recipe fantastic are the following.

Frozen cranberries
I love the consistency that you get when using frozen cranberries- plus, theyโ€™re frozen at peak freshness which I feel produces the best flavour. 

Granulated sugar
I like the neutral sweetness that this provides. If youโ€™re into a more mollassesy sweetness, you can use brown sugar instead. 

Whole oranges
To utilize both the zest and juice to make the best cranberry sauce recipe. 

Variations/ Adaptations

Use fresh cranberries: These will cook slightly quicker than frozen, so keep an eye on your fresh cranberry sauce. 

Add nuts: Pecans, walnuts or other nuts that you feel would work could add a textural intrigue to your sauce. 

Add other fruit:  Pineapple, apples- whichever festive fruits you love, chuck them in! 

Add alcohol:  Grand marnier, bourbon, rum, brandy. Be sure to cook this off though to avoid a pungent flavour. 

No granulated sugar?  Use brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey.

Orange Free: use wine to add acidity if youโ€™re allergic to oranges/donโ€™t like them.

How to make Cranberry Sauce

  1. First, you will want to zest one orange (Image 1).
  2. Then you will add the juice of two oranges through a strainer and into a pan containing sugar (Image 2).
Two step by step photos with the first showing a zested orange and zester on a cutting board and the second showing a hand squeezing orange juice through a strainer into a pan of sugar

3. Next add the cinnamon and orange zest to the pan with the orange juice and sugar (Image 3).

4. Stir over low heat until the sugar is melted and the ingredients are combined, around 2-3 minutes (Image 4).

Two step by step photos with the first showing cinnamon and orange zest being added to a skillet containing sugar and orange juice and the second showing the ingredients being stirred until the sugar is melted.

5. Add the cranberries and a pinch of salt to the sugar mixture (Image 5).

6. Add the sprig of rosemary and cook over low to medium heat for 15-20 minutes squishing the cranberries with your spatula (Image 6).

Two step by step photos with the first showing frozen cranberries being added to a skillet and the second showing the cranberries cooked down into a jelly form

Looking for something light to eat after your Thanksgiving meal? Try some delicious soup recipes; Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup, Tomato & Lentil Soup, Roasted Vegetable Soup.

Tips for the best result

If it turns out runny: cook for an additional 5 minutes until you get the consistency that you like. Use your spatula to squish some of the cranberries as this will incorporate them more with the liquid. It will also tighten up as it cools.   

If it turns out too thick: ย add a splash of water to the recipe for cranberry sauce if its too thick- this may have happened if you cooked the sauce over too high a heat.

best homemade cranberry sauce being placed in a jar for storage

Leftover and Make Ahead Storage Instructions

Can I make cranberry sauce in advance? You can make this homemade cranberry sauce recipe up to 10-14 days in advance. Be sure to store it in a sterilized glass jar/container. The sauce shouldnโ€™t be sat at room temperature for more than 2 hours during this period. 

Can I freeze this recipe? Yes, add to a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to a month.

Best ways to use leftover cranberry sauce

  • Leftover Turkey Sandwiches
  • Cranberry muffins
  • Add to Yogurt or cottage cheese
  • Cranberry cake
  • Top a cheesecake
  • Serve as an appetizer over cream cheese with crackers
  • Make freezer jam

FAQ’s

What takes the bitterness out of cranberry sauce?ย 

Sugar! To balance bitterness, we add sugar, which is why there’s a good amount of granulated sugar in this cranberry sauce recipe. A pinch of salt also brings out the flavours of the other ingredients which can balance the bitterness.ย 

How do you cut the tartness out of cranberry sauce?ย 

Add more sugar and dilute with additional water as the sugar thickens the cranberry sauce.ย 

Is cranberry sauce better warm or cold?ย 

I like it served cold as I prefer the jelly-like consistency. It also contrasts better with whatever meat or side youโ€™re enjoying it with.ย 

What thickens cranberry sauce?ย 

The sugar and liquids released from the cranberries form a thick sauce when combined over a low heat. This is what thickens the sauce. To thicken it more, continue to cook.ย 

How do you fix too much sugar in cranberry sauce?ย ย 

Add some lemon juice or another citric acid.

What is the difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish?ย ย 

Relish is not cooked.ย  Sauce is.

Consider making these delightful potato dishes during the week; The BEST Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes, Parmentier Potatoes (Garlic and Herb Roasted Potatoes), Frozen Roast Potatoes.

If you tried this Best Cranberry Sauce, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys ๐Ÿ’› Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x

The Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Print
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
ยฃ0.42
Sauce, Side
American
Freezable
Servings: 10
This easy 5 ingredient cranberry sauce recipe takes just 20 minutes and is the best homemade version I have ever tasted!

Ingredients

  • 400 g frozen cranberries (ยฃ2.90)
  • 2 oranges, zest and juice (ยฃ1.50/2)
  • 1 sprig of rosemary (ยฃ0.60)

Cupboard essentials

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 175 g granulated sugar
  • Pinch of salt

Method

  • Zest one of the oranges, then to a large frying pan, add the sugar, juice of two oranges, orange zest and cinnamon. Stir to combine, then gently fry over a low heat until melted.
  • After around 2-3 minutes, once combined, add the frozen cranberries, a pinch of salt and 200ml of water.
  • Add the sprig of rosemary and cook over a low/medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Use your spatula to roughly squish some of the cranberries.
  • Let cool and pour into a sterilised jar.

Notes

  • If too runny: Cook for an additional 5 minutes, using a spatula to mash some cranberries to help thicken the sauce, which will also firm up as it cools.
  • If too thick: Add a splash of water to thin the sauce, which may occur if it was cooked over too high heat.

Nutrition

Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 85kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
5 from 3 votes

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Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I hope you loved it. Iโ€™d be so grateful if you could leave a comment/rating - it makes my day hearing your feedback!

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Comments

  1. Great Christmas recipe and so easy to make with frozen cranberries.5 stars

  2. Geraldine | 3 months ago

    First time Iโ€™ve tried to make cranberry sauce and it turned out so well.5 stars

  3. this came out so well!5 stars

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