Forget the canned stuff forever! This Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe is unbelievably simple to make and tastes a million times better than anything you can buy. With just three basic ingredients and 15 minutes, you can create a vibrant, flavorful sauce that will be the star of your holiday table. It’s the perfect blend of tart and sweet, with a beautiful, jewel-toned color that brightens up any plate.
Whether you’re serving it with Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas ham, or just as a delicious side, this homemade cranberry sauce is a game-changer. You’ll be amazed at how something so simple can taste so good.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Incredibly Fast: It takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, making it the perfect last-minute addition to any meal.
- Only 3 Ingredients: All you need are cranberries, sugar, and water. It doesn’t get much simpler than that!
- Full of Flavor: The fresh cranberries create a sauce that’s bursting with bright, tangy flavor that perfectly complements savory dishes.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can make it up to a week in advance, which is a lifesaver when you’re busy with holiday prep.
Only 3 Ingredients for the Perfect Cranberry Sauce
You truly only need a few simple items to create this spectacular sauce. No complicated steps or fancy ingredients are required for this easy cranberry sauce recipe.
- Fresh Cranberries: One 12-ounce bag is all you need. You can find them in the produce section, especially around the holidays.
- Granulated Sugar: This balances the natural tartness of the cranberries. You can adjust the amount to your personal preference.
- Water: This helps dissolve the sugar and allows the cranberries to break down and create a sauce.
How to Make This Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Step-by-Step)
Making this recipe is as simple as combining the ingredients and letting them simmer. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Add Cranberries: Add the fresh cranberries to the saucepan and return the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes. You’ll hear the cranberries start to pop and burst—that’s exactly what you want! Stir occasionally until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cranberry sauce cool completely at room temperature. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Serve it chilled or at room temperature.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Sauce
- Don’t Overcook: The sauce thickens significantly as it cools. It’s better to take it off the heat when it’s slightly looser than you’d like the final product to be.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce as it cooks. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more sugar. If you like it tarter, you can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Control the Texture: For a chunkier sauce, cook it for less time. For a smoother, more jelly-like sauce, let it simmer for a few extra minutes and mash some of the berries with the back of a spoon.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe is fantastic on its own, it’s also a great base for customization. Here are a few ideas:
- Orange Cranberry Sauce: Replace the water with fresh orange juice and add a teaspoon of orange zest for a bright, citrusy flavor. If you love this combination, you have to try this Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken.
- Spiced Cranberry Sauce: Add a cinnamon stick, a few whole cloves, or a star anise to the saucepan while the sauce simmers. Remove the whole spices before serving.
- Sweet & Spicy: For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely diced jalapeño.
Storing Your Homemade Cranberry Sauce
One of the best parts about this recipe is that it can be made ahead of time. Once the sauce has cooled completely, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to one week.
You can also freeze homemade cranberry sauce for up to three months. Just place it in a freezer-safe container, leaving a little room at the top for expansion. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce
Don’t let any of this delicious sauce go to waste! It’s incredibly versatile. Spread it on a leftover turkey sandwich for a tangy twist, or use it as a glaze for chicken or pork. It’s also the star ingredient in these delicious Cranberry Brie Bites! You can even swirl it into yogurt or oatmeal for a festive breakfast treat or stir it into the batter for these white chocolate cranberry cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can adjust the sugar to your taste. Start with half the amount of sugar and add more as needed after tasting the sauce during the simmering process. Keep in mind that sugar helps the sauce to set, so reducing it may result in a slightly thinner sauce.
Yes, absolutely! You can use frozen cranberries without thawing them first. The cooking time might increase by a few minutes, but the results will be just as delicious.
Cranberry sauce thickens naturally as it cools because cranberries are rich in pectin. If your sauce is too thin after cooling, you can return it to the stove and simmer it for another 5-10 minutes to allow more moisture to evaporate.
Homemade cranberry sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also freeze it for up to three months.
Cranberry sauce, like this recipe, is typically made with whole cranberries and has a chunky texture. Cranberry jelly is strained to remove all the solids (like seeds and skins), resulting in a smooth, firm, jelly-like consistency.
The Only Holiday Sauce You Need
Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe (Ready in 15 Minutes!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Carefully add the fresh cranberries to the saucepan. Return the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will burst and the sauce will begin to thicken.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool completely. It will thicken significantly as it cools. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
This simple, delicious, and versatile Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe is a must-have for any holiday gathering. It’s proof that the best dishes are often the simplest. After you master this holiday classic, why not try another favorite like our easy Christmas fudge recipe?
We’d love to see your creations! If you make this recipe, be sure to share a photo and tag us on Pinterest.
