This easy homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and tart! Made with fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, citrusy orange juice and a hint of cinnamon – the perfect complement to any holiday menu!
Love cranberries? Make sure to try my Cranberry Fluff, Cranberry Orange Bread and Cranberry Orange Cookies!
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Cranberry Sauce is one of those often overlooked side dishes on holiday menus. Many resort to a canned cranberry sauce for the sake of convenience but only because they don’t know how easy it is to make it at home. Not only is it easy, homemade cranberry sauce is unbelievably delicious and sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions!
This simple homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and tart with a note of citrus and cinnamon. It’s made with fresh (or frozen!) cranberries, orange juice and a hint of cinnamon. Bright, bold flavor that is the perfect contrast to the rich, heavy dishes that tend to grace our holiday tables.
This homemade cranberry sauce will be a memorable addition to your holiday festivities!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Made with fresh cranberries simmered in orange juice and spiced with a cinnamon stick, this sauce is a delightful balance of tart and sweet flavors. There’s lots to love about this easy cranberry sauce recipe!
- Quick and Easy. This recipe takes just minutes to make and uses just a handful of ingredients. It will be the easiest recipe on your holiday menu!
- Light and Bright. The cranberries and orange together create a brightness that is perfectly complemented with the other traditional holiday dishes.
- Make Ahead. Definitely one of my favorite make ahead dishes! This recipe can be made several days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to enjoy.
Cranberry Sauce Ingredients
This cranberry sauce recipe is a delightful combination of tart cranberries sweetened and flavored with sugar, orange juice and cinnamon. et’s take a quick look at what is in this easy recipe and, as always, you can find the full, printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- cranberries: The star of the show, the fresh or frozen cranberries bring a tart flavor that’s integral to this cranberry sauce recipe. Make sure to pick through your cranberries and remove and that are soft or blemished.
- orange juice: Adds a note of citrus that enhances the tartness of the cranberries.
- granulated sugar: Adds the necessary sweetness to balances the tartness of the cranberries.
- cinnamon stick: Infuses a warm, spicy note that complements the other flavors.
- salt: A pinch to enhance all the flavors and tie them together.
How To Make Cranberry Sauce
Get ready to add a splash of flavor to your holiday table with our delightfully tangy and sweet homemade Cranberry Sauce! This recipe is a breeze to whip up, combining the brightness of cranberries and orange juice with the cozy warmth of cinnamon. You can find the full, printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Combine orange juice, water and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the cranberries, cinnamon stick and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to medium low.
- Stir frequently as the mixture simmers for 10 to 15 minutes, or until most or all of the cranberries have popped. Remove from heat.
- Remove the cinnamon stick from the cranberry sauce and transfer to a serving bowl.
- Allow the sauce to chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Storage Information
- Make Ahead: You can easily prepare this sauce up to 3 days in advance, letting the flavors meld in the fridge.
- Freezing: This cranberry sauce freezes beautifully. Store it in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- Refrigeration: Keeps well in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container.
Presentation Tips
Garnish the cranberry sauce with an orange peel or orange zest, a cinnamon stick or two or a sprig of fresh herbs (we like rosemary and mint).
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Some prefer to prepare the cranberry sauce in a slow cooker because it smells so good! Here is how you can make this recipe in the crockpot:
- Place all the ingredients into the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
- Stir the sauce and gently mash the cranberries for a smoother consistency.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and let the sauce cool. It will thicken as it cools.
- Transfer it to a serving dish or store it in the refrigerator.
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries, no need to thaw them first. Just keep in mind that the cooking time will be slightly longer.
Is it okay to use ground cinnamon instead of a cinnamon stick?
Sure! Substitute the cinnamons stick for ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Can this cranberry sauce be made in advance?
Yes, this sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze this cranberry sauce recipe?
This cranberry sauce freezes well. Just place it in an airtight container and it can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
More Delicious Cranberry Recipes
- Cranberry Orange Bread
- Cranberry Pecan Shortbread Cookies
- Easy Cranberry Orange Muffins
- Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Cranberry Fluff
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup orange juice freshly squeezed or store bought
- ½ cup water
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 12 ounces cranberries fresh or frozen
- 1 cinnamon stick
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine orange juice, water and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the cranberries, cinnamon stick and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to medium low.
- Stir frequently as the mixture simmers for 10 to 15 minutes, or until most or all of the cranberries have popped. Remove from heat.
- Remove the cinnamon stick from the cranberry sauce and transfer to a serving bowl. Allow the sauce to chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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