Best Ever Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Discover a festive twist with this Fresh Cranberry Sauce bursting with tangy cranberries, zesty orange, and a spice infusion of cinnamon. This Best Cranberry Sauce delivers vibrant color and an irresistible blend of sweet and tart flavors, making it a perfect complement to any table for a memorable holiday feast.

I love making my Best Ever Cranberry Sauce and I want you to try it out too. This recipe is real easy and takes only about 15 minutes to whip up.

Its made with 12 oz of fresh cranberries, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice. I also throw in a cinnamon stick and the zest from one orange which gives it a nice pop of citrus flavor.

Its kind of like combining the best elements from those recipes you might have seen like the ones from Natasha’s Kitchen or even the best takes on easy cranberry sauce recipes that show up around Thanksgiving food sides. Even though it may seem super simple its full of flavor and its a great way to avoid the canned versions usually found at the store.

Give it a try and enjoy a bit of zest in every bite.

Why I Like this Recipe

I’ve always been stoked about making this cranberry sauce because it just nails that perfect mix of flavors for my holiday meals. The recipe is super simple, like, even I can do it in about 15 minutes, and it uses real, whole ingredients that make it taste way better than those store-bought ones. The whole process feels casual, and I love that I can tweak it with extra orange zest if I’m in the mood.

Here are a few reasons I really like this recipe:

1. I love how quick and easy it is to whip up – it’s perfect when I’m short on time but still want something tasty.
2. I’m a big fan of the balance between the tartness of the cranberries and the sweetness from the sugar and orange juice.
3. I appreciate that it’s made with all natural ingredients, which makes the sauce feel fresher and more authentic.
4. I like that it has a really cool, festive vibe thanks to the cinnamon and orange zest, making it feel extra special at holiday dinners.

Ingredients

• Fresh cranberries: rich in antioxidants and fibre, giving a natural tanginess with a healthy punch.
• Granulated sugar: provides a sweet taste that balances tart cranberries but adds extra carbs.
• Orange juice: fresh squeezed adds a bright citrus flavor, vitamin C boost and slight sour kick.
• Cinnamon stick: infuses warm spice notes and enhances flavor depth with a sweet and tart mix.
• Orange zest: intensifies citrus aroma while adding extra bright flavor and natural zing.
• Water: acts as a natural solvent that helps blend all the flavors together without overpowering them.

Ingredient Quantities

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup orange juice, preferably fresh squeezed
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Zest from one orange

How to Make this

1. Rinse the cranberries and set them aside while you get everything else ready.

2. In a medium saucepan, pour in the water, orange juice and granulated sugar.

3. Add the cinnamon stick and the orange zest to the saucepan.

4. Heat the mixture over medium heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.

5. Add the cranberries to the saucepan once the sugar is dissolved.

6. Let the mixture come to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks.

7. Reduce the heat and allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, until most of the cranberries have burst.

8. Taste the sauce and if needed, adjust the sugar or add a pinch of extra orange zest.

9. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.

10. Let the sauce cool down to room temperature or warm it slightly before serving over your favourite holiday meals.

Equipment Needed

1. Colander for rinsing the cranberries
2. Medium saucepan
3. Measuring cups for the liquids and sugar
4. Stirring spoon for mixing and stirring the sauce
5. Citrus zester or microplane for the orange zest
6. Timer to keep track of the simmering time

FAQ

Best Ever Cranberry Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you can’t find fresh cranberries, you can use frozen ones – just make sure they are fully thawed before adding them so they cook evenly.
• You can replace granulated sugar with brown sugar or even a bit of honey. Just remember that honey is sweeter so you might need a little less of it.
• If you’re out of water, try using apple cider or apple juice instead. This will add a nice flavor twist to your sauce.
• Don’t have fresh-squeezed orange juice? Use a good quality bottled one or even mix a bit of lemon juice with water to get that citrus kick.
• No cinnamon stick? You can use 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon – it won’t be exactly the same, but it’ll still taste great!

Pro Tips

1. Use only fresh squeezed orange juice if you can cause it makes a huge difference in flavor, and if you have leftover zest from the orange you can even add a bit extra later if its too tangy.
2. When dissolving the sugar, make sure you stir constantly cause if you dont you risk the mixture getting sticky or even burning on the bottom of the pan.
3. Keep an eye on the cranberries while they simmer; you dont want them to overcook and lose that nice texture so a gentle boil is just enough.
4. Taste the sauce a couple of times as it cooks so you can adjust the sugar or orange zest to balance out that tartness, everyone has a different taste.
5. Let the sauce cool a bit before serving cause it thickens up as it cools and will give a better consistency when served.