Classic Cranberry Sauce Recipe
This Classic Cranberry Sauce is a simple, vibrant, and tangy side dish perfect for holiday meals or any time you want a burst of fresh cranberry flavor. Made with just cranberries, sugar, and water, with optional hints of orange zest and cinnamon, it’s easy to prepare on the stovetop and creates a luscious sauce with a balanced sweet-tart taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 1 ½ cups cranberry sauce
- Category: Sauce/Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup water
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Combine: In a medium saucepan, stir together cranberries, sugar, and water. This ensures the sugar starts dissolving evenly and the cranberries are well distributed before heating.
- Boil: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. This activates the cranberries to burst and helps the sugar fully dissolve.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon. Listen for the popping sounds as the berries burst.
- Flavor Boost: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the orange zest and/or ground cinnamon if using, which add brightness and warm spice to the sauce.
- Cool: Transfer the cranberry sauce to a bowl. Let it cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate until ready to serve. Chilling allows the sauce to thicken further and flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- You can adjust the sugar amount based on how tart you prefer your sauce.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries can be used interchangeably; no need to thaw frozen cranberries before cooking.
- For a smoother texture, you can mash some of the cranberries with the back of a spoon during simmering.
- If you prefer a chunky sauce, avoid stirring too vigorously to keep some berries whole.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Find it online: https://forkvista.com/classic-cranberry-sauce-recipe/
