Tangy Cranberry Sauce Recipe: A Flavorful Holiday Classic

Thanksgiving dinner transforms when you craft this incredible homemade cranberry sauce recipe that bursts with vibrant flavor.

Tart berries dance with sweet undertones, creating a perfect balance on your festive plate.

Fresh cranberries simmer and soften, releasing their natural pectin and rich crimson color.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, promising a condiment far superior to any store-bought version.

Each spoonful carries a bright, tangy essence that complements roasted turkey and holiday sides.

Sugar and orange zest add depth and complexity to this classic accompaniment.

Make this cranberry sauce and watch your guests marvel at your culinary prowess.

Essentials For Best Ever Cranberry Sauce

• Medium saucepan: Essential for cooking the cranberry sauce and managing heat perfectly.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure sugar, water, and orange juice.
• Measuring spoons: Perfect for precise cinnamon measurement.
• Zester or grater: Useful for adding fresh orange zest for extra flavor.
• Serving dish: Needed to transfer and present the finished cranberry sauce.

Make Best Ever Cranberry Sauce In No Time

• Cranberry Mixture

Toss vibrant ruby-red cranberries into a cozy saucepan with sweet sugar, bright orange juice, water, and warm cinnamon. Let the ingredients mingle and get friendly.

• Simmering Magic

Spark the stove to medium heat and watch the mixture transform. Bubbles will dance and cranberries will softly pop, creating a rich, luxurious sauce. Stir occasionally and let the magic unfold for about 10-15 minutes.

• Zesty Finale

Sprinkle in fresh orange zest during the last moments of cooking. This secret touch adds a burst of citrusy brightness that makes the sauce sing.

• Cooling and Resting

Pull the pan from the heat and let your cranberry creation relax. As it cools, it will become wonderfully thick and glossy, developing deeper flavors.

• Serving and Storing

Scoop the glistening sauce into a beautiful serving dish. Enjoy right away or tuck it into the refrigerator, where it’ll happily wait for up to a week, ready to brighten your meal.

Fresh Tips To Improve Best Ever Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberry Sauce Mastery: Expert Tips & Twists
• Perfect Consistency Trick: Watch for cranberries to pop and create a natural thickening process. Gently press some berries against the pan's side to help sauce reach ideal jammy texture without over-mashing.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare sauce up to 5 days before serving. Flavor actually deepens and becomes more complex when stored in refrigerator, making it a stress-free holiday side dish.
• Flavor Boost Options: Experiment with additional spices like ground ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom. A splash of port wine or bourbon can transform the sauce from classic to gourmet in moments.
• Special Diet Adaptations: Replace sugar with honey or maple syrup for natural sweetness. For low-sugar versions, use monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Vegan guests will appreciate this naturally plant-based recipe.

Creative Ways To Serve Best Ever Cranberry Sauce

• Holiday Feast Companion: Pair this tangy cranberry sauce with roasted turkey, making each bite burst with festive flavor.
• Breakfast Twist: Spread the sauce over warm toast, pancakes, or waffles for a zesty morning treat that transforms ordinary breakfast into something special.
• Cheese Board Star: Add a dollop alongside sharp cheddar or creamy brie for an elegant appetizer that balances sweet and tart notes perfectly.
• Dessert Drizzle: Spoon over vanilla ice cream or pound cake to elevate simple desserts with a vibrant, seasonal touch.

Storage Advice For Best Ever Cranberry Sauce

• Refrigerator Storage Magic: Transfer the cooled cranberry sauce to a sealed glass container, which keeps flavors fresh and prevents absorption of other food odors. Quick Tip: Mark the container with the date to track freshness easily.
• Make-Ahead Wonder: Prepare this sauce up to 5 days before your holiday meal, allowing flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator. The sauce actually tastes better after 1-2 days of resting.
• Freezing Friendly: Portion the cranberry sauce into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Label containers with contents and date.
• Temperature Transformation: Serve chilled straight from the refrigerator or let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften slightly. Cold sauce provides a refreshing contrast to warm holiday dishes, enhancing overall meal experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 74 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients For Best Ever Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberries: Bright red berries bursting with tangy flavor that create the sauce's signature texture and vibrant color.
• Sugar: Balances the cranberries' natural tartness and helps create a smooth, glossy consistency.
• Orange Juice: Adds subtle citrus brightness and helps break down the cranberries while enhancing overall flavor.
• Water: Provides liquid base for cooking and helps prevent burning during sauce preparation.

• Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth and complementary warmth to the fruity sauce.
• Orange Zest: Concentrated citrus oils that deliver intense, fresh orange essence and elevate the sauce's complexity.

• None specific to this recipe.

Tangy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Rich and tangy cranberry sauce elevates holiday meals with its perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Homemade flavors surpass store-bought versions, offering you a delightful condiment that brings festive cheer to the table.

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Ingredients

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• 12 oz (340 g) cranberries, fresh or frozen
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed preferred
• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• 1 tsp orange zest, optional
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan, ensuring thorough mixing of all ingredients.
2. Heating: Activate the stove to medium heat, gradually bringing the mixture from a gentle simmer to a robust boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Simmering: Reduce heat and allow cranberries to gently burst, releasing natural pectin and creating a luxurious, glossy texture. The sauce will progressively thicken and develop a deep, rich color.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Introduce orange zest during the final cooking moments, infusing the sauce with a bright, citrusy undertone that complements the cranberries’ inherent tartness.
5. Cooling and Finishing: Remove from heat and let the sauce cool naturally, allowing it to continue thickening. Transfer to a serving dish, creating a vibrant, jewel-toned condiment perfect for festive gatherings.
6. Storage: Preserve the cranberry sauce in an airtight container within the refrigerator, maintaining its robust flavor profile for up to one week.

Notes

• Precision Simmering: Maintain a steady, low heat to prevent burning and ensure cranberries burst evenly, releasing their natural pectin for a perfect sauce texture.
• Zest Timing: Add orange zest at the end of cooking to preserve its bright, fresh flavor and prevent bitterness from prolonged heat exposure.
• Consistency Control: Let the sauce cool naturally to achieve the ideal thickness, as it will continue to thicken as it reaches room temperature.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cranberry sauce up to a week in advance, storing it in the refrigerator to develop deeper, more complex flavors and save time during holiday meal prep.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 74
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg