This homemade cranberry sauce recipe is a classic. Made with fresh or frozen cranberries and ready in 20 minutes, it’s a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner. Easy-to-replicate? Yes!
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a big bowl of homemade cranberry sauce to go with the turkey.
With a few simple ingredients and some stirring, you can quickly whip up this delicious sauce for any occasion!
What’s more, it’s also vegan-friendly so everyone can enjoy it.
From Thanksgiving dinner to summer barbecues, cranberry sauce is sure to be a hit with family and friends alike.
So if you’re looking for a tasty addition to your meal, give this sweet-tart topping a try!
Today’s party calls for cranberry sauce. And a whole lot of other cranberry stuff.
Table of Contents
Video: How to Make Cranberry Sauce – Gordon Ramsay
Cranberry Sauce Swaps & Substitutions
At the end of cooking, you can give your cranberry sauce an extra boost with a variety of mix-ins.
- For crunchiness or extra sweetness, try adding freshly grated orange zest for a more distinct citrus flavor, pecans for crunch, and a combination of raisins, currants, and blueberries for added texture and sweetness. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice take the flavor up another notch.
- For a reduced-sugar cranberry sauce, reduce the amount of sugar called for and add more as needed to taste. You can also reduce the amount of water to 1/2 cup and substitute it with orange juice concentrate for a stronger orange flavor.
- For a vegan or sugar-free version of cranberry sauce, you can use a sugar replacer like Splenda or Truvia instead of sugar, maple syrup, or agave nectar.
How Far Ahead Can You Make Cranberry Sauce?
Cranberry sauce can be easily prepared in advance and stored in the fridge until it’s time to eat.
But how far in advance can you make your cranberry sauce ahead?
The answer is: quite a bit! For the best results, you should make your cranberry sauce at least one day before Thanksgiving.
This will allow it to cool and set properly, ensuring that it has the perfect consistency when you serve it.
Plus, making it in advance will save you from having to prepare it on the big day.
If you want to be really prepared, you can make cranberry sauce up to a week in advance, without sacrificing the flavor or texture.
Just be sure to store it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it.
How to Store & Freeze Cranberry Sauce
Storing cranberry sauce correctly is key to preserving its freshness and flavor.
For the best results, store your leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
It will stay fresh for up to two weeks, so you can enjoy it after the Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone.
If you don’t plan on eating the sauce within two weeks, you can freeze it for up to six months.
To do this, transfer the sauce to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and place it in the freezer.
When you’re ready to serve it, be sure to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before heating it up.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250ml) water
- 1 cup (200g) sugar
- 4 cups (a 12-ounce pack) of fresh or frozen cranberries
- Optional: apple cider, fresh orange juice, blueberries, orange zest, raisins, cinnamon, pecans, currants, nutmeg, allspice
Instructions
1. Rinse The Cranberries:
Start by rinsing off your cranberries and placing them in a medium-sized saucepan. Discard any soft or bad berries.
2. Boil Water With Sugar:
Add the sugar and water, stirring until all of the ingredients are fully combined. Turn up the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce The Heat:
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Cook Until They Burst:
When the mixture has thickened and the cranberries have burst (they will look like small pieces of skin), remove it from the heat and let it cool.
5. Stir in the Mix-ins - if using:
Once the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened, it’s time to stir in any desired mix-ins. If you like adding nuts, dried fruits, or spices, this is the time to do so. Start with half a cup of chopped pecans and a pinch or two of orange zest for a tasty twist. Or add raisins, currants, or blueberries for a sweeter flavor. If adding spices, start with a pinch of each and add more to your taste.
6. Let Cool:
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool. Once it has cooled, transfer it to a bowl or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Note that the cranberry sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
Once cooled, the cranberry sauce is ready to be served. If desired, you can garnish it with extra mix-ins such as nuts, fruits, or spices. Enjoy your homemade cranberry sauce!
Notes
Note: This recipe for cranberry sauce is a great starting point - using only fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, and water. But if you want to make it even more unique, why not substitute the cup of water with 1/2 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup water? Cranberries and oranges go great together! If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of sugar while ensuring you also reduce the amount of added liquid.
On the occasion of Eat a Cranberry Day, let us not forget to eat and make everyone eat this fantastic fruit.
Classic Recipe | Method
Making the perfect homemade cranberry sauce doesn’t have to be a daunting task – all you need is some fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, and water.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for preparing your own delicious cranberry sauce in minutes!
1. Rinse The Cranberries
Start by rinsing off your cranberries and placing them in a medium-sized saucepan.
Discard any soft or bad berries.
2. Boil Water With Sugar
Add the sugar and water, stirring until all of the ingredients are fully combined.
Turn up the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce The Heat
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Cook Until They Burst
When the mixture has thickened and the cranberries have burst (they will look like small pieces of skin), remove it from the heat and let it cool.
5. Stir in the Mix-ins – if using
Once the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened, it’s time to stir in any desired mix-ins.
If you like adding nuts, dried fruits, or spices, this is the time to do so.
Start with half a cup of chopped pecans and a pinch or two of orange zest for a tasty twist.
Or add raisins, currants, or blueberries for a sweeter flavor. If adding spices, start with a pinch of each and add more to your taste.
6. Let Cool
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool.
Once it has cooled, transfer it to a bowl or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Note that the cranberry sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
Once cooled, the cranberry sauce is ready to be served. If desired, you can garnish it with extra mix-ins such as nuts, fruits, or spices.
Enjoy your homemade cranberry sauce!
Other Recipes | Methods
Like with every recipe, there are countless ways to make delicious homemade cranberry sauces.
Here are some noteworthy methods that you can incorporate into your cranberry sauce preparation routine to spice things up:
1. Our best cranberry sauce variation:
- Start by combining fresh or frozen cranberries with orange juice, brown sugar, and a few drops of maple syrup in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce heat and let simmer for about 20 minutes or until the cranberries start to burst.
- Then add orange zest, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon stick and let simmer for another 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened as it cools.
- Finally, strain out any solids with a sieve and mash the cranberries with a potato masher.
- Let it cool completely in a serving bowl before transferring it to an airtight container for storage in the fridge overnight.
2. If you’re looking for a unique twist on the classic cranberry sauce, give this recipe a try!
- Start by heating some apple cider, fresh orange juice, and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Once it starts to boil, add fresh cranberries, reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes or until the cranberries start to burst.
- Then add a few drops of maple syrup, orange zest, and cinnamon stick and let simmer for another 10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened as it cools.
- Finally, use a sieve to strain out any solids before mashing the cranberries with a potato masher.
- Allow the compote to cool completely in a serving bowl before transferring it to an airtight container.
- Place the chutney in the refrigerator overnight before serving it chilled with crackers or toast.
3. For an extra easy cranberry sauce recipe
Try using canned jellied cranberry sauce mixed with freshly squeezed orange juice and a little white sugar to sweeten it up.
You can also use a food processor or blender to reduce the amount of natural pectin in the canned cranberry sauce if you want less sugar.
Cranberry Sauce FAQs
1. Is eating cranberry sauce healthy?
Eating cranberry sauce can be a healthy and delicious part of your diet.
While cranberries are often thought of as one of those tart and tangy fruits, eating them in the form of a sauce can provide a number of essential vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your overall health.
Cranberry sauce is high in vitamin C which helps strengthen the immune system, and it also contains significant amounts of manganese, dietary fiber, vitamin E, and potassium.
In addition to these nutrients, cranberry sauce is low in calories and fat-free which makes it an ideal snack or side dish if you’re trying to watch your weight.
2. What is cranberry sauce made of?
Cranberry sauce is usually made of cranberries, sugar, and water. The tartness of the cranberries is balanced by adding sugar to the sauce.
Some recipes may also include other ingredients such as orange juice or zest, cinnamon, cloves, and/or nutmeg which can all enhance the flavor.
It is also common for some recipes to call for adding a small amount of butter or margarine to help thicken the sauce and give it a creamier texture.
The exact ingredients and measurements of the recipe can vary depending on personal preference, so feel free to get creative with your own recipe!
3. Why do we eat cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving?
We eat cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving for a variety of reasons. For one, cranberry sauce has been a staple on holiday tables for centuries.
Secondly, cranberries are native to North America and have been a part of the culture in this region for hundreds of years.
It is a sweet and tart accompaniment to the savory dishes served at Thanksgiving, making it the perfect addition to any holiday meal.
Additionally, cranberry sauce can make a great condiment for turkey sandwiches or wraps in the days following Thanksgiving.
So whether it’s part of your family tradition or you’re looking for a way to add some flavor and nutrition to your holiday meal, cranberry sauce can be the perfect addition.
4. How does cranberry sauce taste?
Cranberry sauce has a unique sweet-tart flavor that adds a delicious and festive touch to many meals.
Its tartness comes from the natural acidity of the cranberries, and its sweetness is a result of adding sugar to balance out the flavor.
Depending on the recipe you use, you may find that the flavor of your cranberry sauce varies slightly.
Some recipes also add other ingredients such as orange juice or zest, cinnamon, cloves, and/or nutmeg to enhance the flavor.
All of these factors will affect the final taste of your cranberry sauce.
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