Go Back
–+ servings
Save This Recipe Form

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes and tips from us each week!

A hand holding a spoon with raspberry jam in a glass bowl, with hazelnuts in a bowl in the background.

Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Cranberry sauce is a holiday must-have, with the perfect sweet-tart balance that complements any savory dish. Made with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and a touch of vanilla, it has a cozy homemade vibe that’s effortless to create. In just 15 minutes, it’s ready to bring a pop of color and flavor to your table. From Thanksgiving turkey to leftover sandwiches, it’s a dish everyone loves to see.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe [btn-google-source]
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cranberry sauce
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 155kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Sauce

  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 12 ounces cranberries fresh or frozen
  • orange zest of one orange
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a pan over high heat, bring water, orange juice, and sugar to a boil. Add cranberries, orange zest, and salt, bringing it back to a boil. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cooking until the cranberries have burst, approximately 10 minutes.
    ½ cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 12 ounces cranberries, orange zest, 1 pinch salt
  • Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and mix well. For a smoother sauce, mash the cranberries with a fork until you reach your desired texture. Serve warm or at room temperature.
    ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Notes

  • Fresh Orange Juice Wins: Squeezing your own orange juice really makes a difference in flavor. Go for fresh when possible.
  • Watch for Bursting Berries: When the cranberries start bursting, keep an eye on them—they can go from perfect to too thick quickly.
  • Orange Zest Shortcut: Zest the orange first, then juice it. It’s much easier this way!
  • Adjust to Your Thickness: If you like a thicker sauce, give it an extra 5 minutes on low heat. For a thinner sauce, add a splash of water until it’s just right.
  • Sweetness Your Way: Start with the sugar in the recipe, but if you like it sweeter, add a little more to taste.
  • Mash for Texture: If you want a smoother, almost jam-like sauce, give those cranberries a good mash with a fork.
  • Serve Fresh, but Prep Ahead: Cranberry sauce is great fresh, but it also keeps well, making it a perfect make-ahead side.

Nutrition

Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 262mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 226IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!