Cranberry Sauce
A simple, delicious cranberry sauce recipe made with fresh cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, and cinnamon stick. Quick and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, this vibrant sauce offers a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors that complement a variety of dishes from poultry to desserts. It is easily customizable and made with wholesome ingredients, perfect for holidays or everyday meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 1.5 cups
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Primary Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries – 12 oz (about 3 cups)
- Sugar – 1 cup (adjust to taste)
- Water – 1 cup
- Orange Zest – from 1 medium orange
- Cinnamon Stick – 1 small stick
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse fresh cranberries under cold water and pick out any soft or damaged ones. Zest the orange and gather sugar, water, and cinnamon stick to prepare for cooking.
- Cook the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, and cinnamon stick. Heat over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer Until Thickened: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes. During this time, the cranberries will burst and the sauce will thicken to a jam-like consistency.
- Remove and Cool: Remove the saucepan from heat, discard the cinnamon stick, and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Store or Serve: Transfer the cooled cranberry sauce to a bowl or jar. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use.
Notes
- Use Fresh Cranberries: Fresh cranberries provide the best texture and flavor, but frozen can be used if necessary.
- Don’t Skip the Zest: Orange zest brightens the flavor and balances the tartness of the cranberries.
- Adjust Sweetness Gradually: Taste and add sugar little by little to suit your preference.
- Watch the Simmer Time: Avoid overcooking to prevent an overly thick sauce.
- Cool Completely Before Serving: The sauce sets and develops richer flavors as it cools.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, easy cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, gluten free sauce
Find it online: https://marybaking.com/cranberry-sauce/