This tart and tangy homemade cranberry sauce is the perfect addition to roast a turkey or chicken. Made from fresh or frozen cranberries and ready in 20 minutes, it’s a must have for a Thanksgiving dinner. It’s easy to make ahead of time which is always a plus in my book.
One of my favorite parts of the Thanksgiving meal is making a Thanksgiving Leftover Holiday Sandwich the next day and cranberry sauce is essential for a good holiday sandwich.
What’s the difference between homemade cranberry sauce and canned cranberry sauce?
Everything! The texture and flavor of fresh cranberry sauce is totally different than canned cranberry sauce. As a kid I preferred the canned cranberry sauce because it was a smoother and sweeter. As an adult I know better, and I absolutely love the tartness and the texture of homemade cranberry sauce. It is also much more versatile as a left over.
What do you need:
Cranberries- You can use fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe.
Sugar- cranberries are super tart so they need the sweetness from the sugar. You could also use other sweeteners like brown sugar or honey.
Orange Juice and Zest- orange with cranberry is one of my favorite flavor combinations. The sweet, brightness of the orange and the tartness of the cranberry works well together.
Nutmeg- A pinch of nutmeg adds a great warm and nutty background flavor.
How to make homemade cranberry sauce:
(This might be the easiest recipe ever!)
1. In a small sauce pan cook all of the ingredients on medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
Really, that’s it! While the cranberries are cooking you’ll hear a gentle poping sound when the berries burst. Keep the heat low enough that this isn’t happening too rapidly or creating a mess. Allow the cranberry sauce to come to room temperature before serving.
Note: Don’t worry if it seems a little runnier when you take it off the heat, it will thicken up as it cools off.
Yes, you can make the cranberry sauce up to a week before serving just store it in the refrigerator. In fact for the best consistency I suggest making it a day ahead and allow it to chill.
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries for this cranberry sauce. Which makes it great if you want to make the sauce when the berries are out of season.
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries for this cranberry sauce. Which makes it great if you want to make the sauce when the berries are out of season.
No, dried cranberries will not work for cranberry sauce. You need the juiciness that is contained in fresh or frozen berries.
Lovers of Cranberries try Apple Cranberry Pecan Cake or Cranberry Orange Pecan Muffins
Other Thanksgiving recipe ideas:
- Mashed potatoes
- Butternut squash soup
- Easy Stuffing Recipe for Thanksgiving
- Roasted sweet potatoes salad with pepitas
What to do with leftover cranberry sauce:
- Thanksgiving Leftover Holiday Sandwich as previously stated this is my favorite way to utilize leftover cranberry sauce.
- Toast with cream cheese and cranberry sauce
- Crêpes with cranberry sauce
Did you make this recipe?
I would love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram and be sure to tag me @balancingbowls
Recipe
Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 C Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
- 1 C Granulated Sugar
- 1 C Orange Juice
- Zest of one Orange
- ¼ t Nutmeg
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan cook all of the ingredients on medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
Notes
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