Description
This Classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce is a fresh, tangy addition to your holiday meals. Made with simple ingredients, it combines the bright tartness of cranberries, the warmth of cinnamon, and the zesty kick of orange, creating a homemade sauce that beats store-bought versions. It’s perfect for pairing with roasted meats, and can be made ahead of time to reduce stress on the big day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup water
- Small pinch of salt
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 strip of orange peel (use a peeler or paring knife)
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, and 1/2 cup water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Add 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, a pinch of salt, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 strip of orange peel. Stir gently to mix.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 10-12 minutes until most of the cranberries pop. For chunkier texture, leave a few cranberries whole.
- Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove it from heat. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Transfer the cooled cranberry sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Frozen cranberries can be substituted for fresh. Add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, cook it for a few extra minutes until more cranberries have broken down.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and orange peel before serving, as they are not meant to be eaten.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 40-45
- Sugar: 10-12g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg