Forget the canned stuff forever! This easy homemade Christmas Cranberry Sauce recipe is the ultimate holiday side dish. Bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh cranberries, zesty orange, and warm spices, it comes together in under 20 minutes. It’s the simple, elegant touch your holiday table has been missing, transforming your festive feast with its beautiful jewel-toned color and incredible taste.
Making cranberry sauce from scratch is one of the easiest ways to elevate your Christmas dinner. With just a handful of ingredients and one pot, you can create a sauce that’s perfectly balanced between sweet and tart. This recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile and can be made days in advance, freeing up precious time on the big day.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Christmas Cranberry Sauce
There are so many reasons to make this your go-to holiday recipe. It’s a festive tradition that’s as rewarding to make as it is to eat.
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of tart cranberries, fresh orange juice, and a hint of cinnamon creates a complex flavor that canned versions simply can’t match.
- So Easy to Make: If you can boil water, you can make this sauce. It’s a simple, one-pot recipe with minimal effort and maximum reward.
- Perfect for Making Ahead: This sauce actually tastes even better after a day or two in the fridge, making it the perfect make-ahead side dish to reduce holiday stress.
- Versatile Holiday Staple: While it’s a must-have for turkey, it’s also amazing with chicken, pork, or even spread on the ultimate leftover turkey sandwich.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Cranberry Sauce
You only need a few simple ingredients to create this show-stopping sauce. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cranberries: You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries. Both work equally well, so use whatever is most convenient.
- Granulated Sugar: This provides the necessary sweetness to balance the tartness of the cranberries. You can adjust the amount to your personal preference.
- Water: The liquid base needed to help the sugar dissolve and the cranberries cook down.
- Orange: We use both the zest and the juice of one fresh orange. This adds a bright, citrusy note that complements the cranberries beautifully.
- Cinnamon Stick: A single cinnamon stick infuses the sauce with a gentle, warm spice that screams Christmas.
How to Make Christmas Cranberry Sauce (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps for a foolproof sauce every time. It’s a quick process that fills your kitchen with the most amazing festive aroma.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Add Cranberries and Aromatics: Add the fresh cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, and the cinnamon stick to the saucepan. Stir everything together.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll hear the cranberries start to pop and burst as they cook down.
- Cool and Thicken: Once most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has started to thicken, remove it from the heat. The sauce will continue to thicken significantly as it cools. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Sauce
- Don’t Undercook: Cook until you hear most of the cranberries pop. This releases their natural pectin, which helps thicken the sauce.
- Let It Cool Completely: The sauce will look thin when it’s hot, but it will set and thicken into a perfect, jelly-like consistency as it cools to room temperature.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce after it has cooked and feel free to add a little more sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
- Remove the Spices: For a smoother sauce and cleaner flavor, remember to remove the cinnamon stick before serving or storing.
Delicious Cranberry Sauce Variations
While this classic Christmas Cranberry Sauce is fantastic on its own, it’s also a wonderful base for customization. Here are a few ideas to make it your own.
Spiced Cranberry Sauce
For an even warmer flavor, add a star anise and a few whole cloves to the saucepan along with the cinnamon stick. Remove them before serving for a beautifully spiced version.
Cranberry Sauce with Brown Sugar
Swap the granulated sugar for an equal amount of light brown sugar. This will give the sauce a deeper, more molasses-like flavor that is incredibly rich and comforting.
Low-Sugar Cranberry Sauce
You can reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup for a tarter sauce. Alternatively, you can substitute a portion of the sugar with maple syrup or honey for a different kind of sweetness.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store your homemade cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 10-14 days.
Can You Freeze Cranberry Sauce?
Yes! Cranberry sauce freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This is a great recipe to make ahead. The sauce’s flavor actually improves after a day or two. You can make it up to a week before your holiday meal to save time.
Yes, frozen cranberries work perfectly in this recipe. There’s no need to thaw them first; simply add them to the saucepan frozen and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
The easiest way to thicken cranberry sauce is to let it cool completely. The natural pectin from the cranberries will cause it to set and thicken significantly as it cools. If it’s still too thin, you can simmer it for another 5 minutes.
Homemade cranberry sauce will last for 10-14 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Its high sugar content acts as a natural preservative.
Cranberry sauce can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled. It’s entirely up to personal preference. For a thicker, more jelly-like consistency, serve it chilled.
More Festive Recipes You’ll Enjoy
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out some of our other holiday favorites. These Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect appetizer, and this Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken makes for a stunning main course. For a sweet treat, don’t miss our Easy Christmas Fudge Recipe.
Share Your Festive Creations!
This simple, elegant Christmas Cranberry Sauce is guaranteed to be a star on your holiday table. We hope you and your family love it as much as we do. If you make this recipe, we would love to see it! Share your creation on Pinterest and let us know how it turned out in the comments below.
The Perfect Christmas Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Christmas Cranberry Sauce: An Easy, Festive Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Add the fresh cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, and the cinnamon stick to the saucepan. Stir everything together.
- Bring the mixture back to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the cranberries have burst.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. The sauce will thicken significantly as it cools. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.
Notes
Make It Ahead: This recipe is perfect for making up to a week in advance. The flavors will meld together beautifully.
Adjust to Your Taste: Feel free to adjust the sugar level or add other spices like star anise or cloves to customize the flavor.
