Description
This homemade cranberry sauce recipe is a simple and delicious way to add a vibrant, tangy-sweet touch to your meals. Made from fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and warming cinnamon, it offers a perfect balance of flavors that burst in every bite. Ideal for holiday dinners or any occasion where a fresh, fruity condiment is desired, this sauce is easy to prepare on the stovetop within 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Rinse your fresh cranberries under cool water and pick out any bruised or damaged berries to ensure a clean, bright sauce.
- Combine Ingredients in Saucepan: Add the rinsed cranberries, sugar, water, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and cinnamon stick into a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook Until Cranberries Burst: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Stir occasionally while the cranberries burst, creating a luscious, jam-like texture. This should take about 10 minutes.
- Remove from Heat and Cool: Remove the saucepan from the stove, take out the cinnamon stick, and allow the sauce to cool. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools to the perfect consistency.
- Serve or Store: Once cooled, transfer the sauce to a serving dish or airtight container. It is ready to brighten your holiday spread or be stored for later use.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of sugar according to taste.
- For a thicker sauce, cook a little longer until desired consistency is reached.
- Fresh orange juice and zest provide a fresh citrus brightness, but lemon juice and zest can be used as an alternative.
- Store leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- This sauce can be served cold or gently warmed depending on preference.
