The best cranberry sauce recipe is made by simmering cranberries with the juice and zest of an orange and then sweetened with honey. It is the perfect side dish for your holiday meal and will become a tradition you will want to make every single year.
This simple recipe is so good, and so easy. It’s perfect for family gatherings, or just to enjoy while this delicious, under-utilized berry is in season.
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I get asked to bring this dish every year to our family gatherings. Basically, I am known for it at this point.
Personally, I love this dish – so much so that when I make it, I double or even triple the recipe so we can keep some at home. Really, it’s that good.
Also, my dad is one of 14 kids, so we go to aย lotย of holiday festivities, and I have to make sure to have enough cranberry sauce to go around, plus enough to bring home. Plus, can you really have a thanksgiving feast without this tasty side dish? It really adds to the flavor of the whole meal.
Not only is it tasty over turkey, but it’s delicious on its own, or you can have it over yogurt or as a jam on sourdough biscuits. Once you taste it, you’ll be dreaming up ways to have more of it in your life.
The fresh orange compliments the cranberries so well, and gives it an extra tart flavor.
Who says this needs to be eaten only on Thanksgiving? We will eat this delicious cranberry sauce recipe all fall long while fresh cranberries are in season.
Tips For Making The Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe:
- Use organic oranges since you are using the peel. If you’re not using organic, make sure to wash them really well.
- If you do not have apple cider, or you don’t want to use it, you could just use the juice of an orange to provide the sweetness you need.
- The orange juice is not optional because it pairs so nicely with the tart cranberries.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe and freeze leftovers for later.
- Store in the fridge for 3-4 days and freeze up to 3 months.
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Tools you will need:
Pot or dutch oven
Microplane or zester.
Wooden spoon
How To Make The Best Cranberry Sauce
- Add 12 oz cranberries in a medium stockpot.
- Zest an orange right into the pot. Just get the orange peel and not any of the white part (called the pith), as it can be bitter.
- Slice the orange in half and squeeze the juice into the pot.
- Add 1/2 cup of apple cider and 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup (choose maple syrup if you want this recipe to be vegan).
- Bring to a simmer. Allow the mixture to cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries start popping open and the sauce begins to thicken.ย
- Take off heat, cool, and serve.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce FAQ
What is cranberry sauce used for?
It is a condiment that pairs well with turkey. The tartness and sweetness of the dish pairs well with the savory, salty turkey during holiday meals.
Don’t let the holidays be the only time you enjoy this side dish! It is really yummy over yogurt, used as a jam withย cornbread, or served with chicken and green beans. Your imagination is the limit.
Can homemade cranberry sauce be frozen?
Yes. If for some odd reason you have any leftovers, you can easily place this in an airtight, freezer-safe container or freezer bag, and freeze. Be sure to use it within 2-3 months.
To use: pull it out of the freezer the night before you intend to use it and place it in the fridge to thaw. Place it into a saucepan and heat over low to medium heat until bubbling.
How many cups is a 12 oz bag of cranberries?
A 12 oz bag equals about 3 cups of fresh cranberries.
Is cranberry sauce supposed to be hot or cold?
Either. Serve it warm, room temperature, or chilled. All options are delicious. It is really based on preference.
What can I add to cranberry sauce?
If you want to make this dish extra fancy, you can add fresh pineapple, grapes, orange slices, chunks of apple, pecans, or walnuts.
Is this recipe vegan?
It would be considered vegan if you use maple syrup rather than honey, since honey comes from bees.
What is the difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish?
Cranberry relish is a fresh and tart condiment made from raw cranberries blended together. Cranberry sauce, on the other hand, is cooked and tends to be much sweeter than relish.
Find more delicious recipes perfect for the holidays straight from our farmhouse kitchen:
- Sourdough Pumpkin Cobbler Recipe
- Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Topping
- Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Acorn Squash
- Rustic Granola Cookies
- Best Deviled Eggs Recipe
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe Card
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Thank you!
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- ยฝ cup honey or maple syrup
- ยฝ cup apple cider
- Zest and juice of 1 medium orange
Instructions
- Add cranberries in a medium stockpot.
- Zest an orange right into the pot.
- Slice an orange in half and squeeze the juice into the pot.
- Add apple cider and honey or maple syrup.
- Bring to a simmer. Allow the mixture to cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries start popping open. About 10 minutes or so.
- Take off heat, and allow to cool a bit. It will thicken as it cools.
- Serve.
Video
Notes
- Store leftover sauce in an air-tight container for 3-4 days.
- If you do not have apple cider, or you don’t want to use it, you could just use the juice of an orange to provide the sweetness you need.
- The orange juice is not optional because it pairs so nicely with the tart cranberries.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe and freeze leftovers for later.
Eileen says
I make this every year. Absolutely delish!
Debbie says
Can this be fermented? If so how would I go about doing that?
Lisa says
I have never tried it, so not sure.
Melissa Koser says
Hi Lisa! We made this last year for Thanksgiving (it was delicious!), and I’m looking forward to having it this year as well. Do you know if it can be canned as is?
Lisa says
I do not. It has not been tested for canning safety.
Leah says
I love this recipe! I’m the only cranberry sauce fan in my family though, so I have a lot of leftovers when I make it. This year I used the leftovers to make fruit leather and my daughter loved it!
Misty says
I love how easy it is to make a delicious side to add to my dinner. Was too sour for my little one so I added 1/2 a can of crushed pineapple and itโs juice to your recipe and he loves it. Ty
Tara says
I really think you should make a printed recipe book. It is so nice to open a book instead of go on the the electronics again and again.
JoLyn says
Hi, thanks for the recipe. We love cranberry orange relish, but itโs not easy to find commercially anymore, but I love the idea of making it at home with fresh ingredients. My question is, can I substitute apple juice for the apple cider? Thanks! It sounds delicious and I canโt wait to try i!
Wendy says
This cranberry sauce is delicious and yes, it tastes great with yogurt too! ๐ This Thanksgiving was a first for me as the cook and this cranberry sauce was so simple and made me feel like an old timer, in a good way. It was a beautifully colorful addition to the plate. No more UTIs over here! Ha!
Toni says
This is such a great recipe to add to our Thanksgiving table! So good!
wilhelmina says
Love, love, love this easy and flavorful sauce! It being so pretty is a bonus!