A simple recipe for fresh and easy homemade cranberry sauce. Made with real whole cranberries and just 3 other ingredients, this is an easy traditional must-have for your next holiday dinner.
This cranberry sauce is a holiday classic (like my roasted sweet potatoes) and deserves a place on your table. Be sure to check out the brief how-to video at the bottom of the post if you’re more of a visual learner!
Who here is hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year?
Don’t look at me, while I’d love to someday, my biggest contributions to holiday get-togethers usually land on the dessert table. Pecan pie , chocolate pie (with a side of homemade whipped cream!), these are my usual contributions, but recently I’ve branched out. This year, I’m on a mission to replace canned cranberry sauce everywhere with homemade cranberry sauce.
Do you know how easy it is to make homemade cranberry sauce? Just one saucepan and 4 ingredients (5 if you count water, does water count??), this recipe is easy.
No can necessary.
How Do You Make Fresh Cranberry Sauce
- Bring sugars (use a combination of brown and white for the best flavor!), water, and orange juice to a boil
- Add cranberries and return to simmer
- Cook until berries have burst and desired thickness has been reached.
- Transfer to a serving dish and chill for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Some cranberry sauce recipes use just water, and no orange juice, but I strongly recommend using both. The juice adds a nice bright flavor that really makes this cranberry sauce shine.
How do You Make Cranberry Sauce Thicker?
When cooking your cranberry sauce, you can simmer it as long as needed after your berries burst until the desired thickness is reached. Do keep in mind that your sauce will seem runnier while it’s hot and will thicken as it cools and sets.
Can Cranberry Sauce Be Made in Advance??
Yes! Cranberry sauce requires a minimum of 2 hours in the refrigerator in order for it to thicken and set properly. However, you can make this holiday side dish up to a week in advance. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container.
And that’s all there is to making homemade cranberry sauce, no can required!
If you prefer a more visual guide you can check out my cranberry sauce video at the bottom of the post. If you enjoy these videos, please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel! <3
Enjoy!
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup sugar 133g (133g)
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, tightly packed (67g)
- 1/3 cup water (78ml)
- ⅔ cup orange juice (157 ml)
- 12 oz cranberries rinsed and picked through -- bad/bruised cranberries removed (340g)
Instructions
- Combine sugars, water, and orange juice in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until sugars are dissolved, and bring to a boil.
- Add cranberries and return to a boil. , reduce heat cook 10-15 minutes until berries have popped (careful, there’s some splatter) and mixture slightly reduced
- Reduce heat to simmer and continue to cook cranberries, stirring occasionally, 10-15 minutes or until all or most berries have burst (careful, there is some splatter) and the mixture is slightly reduced. The longer you cook your cranberries the thicker your mixture will be, but it will also thicken up after standing.
- Transfer mixture to a bowl and allow it to cool for at least 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Treat yourself to a FREE E-BOOK!
I originally published this Cranberry Sauce recipe 11/20/2017, post has been updated to include tips and more information.
G says
Excellent! Five Star recipe
Sugar Spun Run says
Thank you so much! I am so glad that you enjoyed the cranberry sauce. 🙂
Diana says
Delicious! I made it with Erythritol vs white sugar, and brown sugar as directed. Not too sweet or tart!! Thank you
Sugar Spun Run says
That is wonderful, Diana! I am so glad that you enjoyed it and the substitution worked well for you! 🙂
Julia Rodriguez says
I love this easy recipe, this is my second year making it. Its wonderful. I dont ever like ultering a recipe but I did. I added a 1/4 spoon cinnamon and a 1/4 spoon of vanilla extract. It was greeeeeat!!! Thank you for the recipe.
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Julia! 🙂
Jess says
Making this, but adding orange zest peels. My favorite!!! Thank for sharing.
Sam says
I hope everyone love it, Jess! 🙂
Wendy Barbier says
I’ ve made this recipe and it’s so delicious! I never do canned cranberry anymore. I added a little cinnamon and vanilla, so so good! Thank you ☺
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed the cranberry sauce, Wendy! Homemade is always better. 🙂
Pandora Traversie says
I was wondering if I could substitute lemonade for the orange juice. Trying to save a trip to the store.
Sam says
I think it would make it much more tart. I would definitely taste-test it.
Mom says
I just did the same prior to reading these comments lol 😀 Cinnamon is amazing in Everything Nevermind fresh orange juice! Of course I live the idea that if I didn’t have the orange in hand just using juice around so thanks Sugar spun run!
Sugar Spun Run says
I am so glad that it worked out. I hope everyone enjoys your cranberry sauce. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Lori Davis says
I wonder if a spicy cranberry sauce would be yummy🤔 Maybe add a little horseradish to the recipe? I think I may try it.
Sugar Spun Run says
I don’t know about adding horseradish, Lori! But, if you try it, let me know how it works out. Enjoy! 🙂
Cindy Yearsin says
I’m confused and just want to make sure I cook this right. In the overview, it says cook time is 15 minutes but the recipe shows the cook time between 20 and 30 minutes. Should I go by the recipe?
Sugar Spun Run says
Hello, Cindy! You want to cook the cranberries until the berries have burst and the desired thickness has been reached. This will be take about 15-20 mins. I recommend following the recipe and (if you haven’t already) watch the video. I hope that helps! Enjoy! 🙂
Mary Mullarkey says
I made your cranberry sauce recipe this morning. I do enjoy having a video; gives me confidence. Look forward to sharing it at later today. Thank you for posting and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! ~ Mary in Chicago
Sam says
Thank you so much, Mary! I am so glad you enjoyed the video. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Barbara H Bond says
I made this sauce and it is out of this world Delicious
Sugar Spun Run says
I am so glad that you enjoyed the cranberry sauce, Barbara! Thanks for trying my recipe and for commenting. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
M Patrick says
Yes it is!
Sugar Spun Run says
Thank you both! 🙂
Diana says
Can’t wait to make. For our Thanksgiving Dinner
Sugar Spun Run says
I hope that everyone loves it, Diana! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Melissa Romero says
Could the recipe just be doubled or would that be too much sugar or liquid?
Sugar Spun Run says
Hello, Melissa! Yes, you can double the recipe. You will want to double all the ingredients listed. Enjoy! 🙂
Roberto says
What can I use if I can’t find fresh cranberry’s? I am in Central America and its not easy, can I use frozen cranberry??
Tks.
Roberto
Sugar Spun Run says
Hello, Roberto! Frozen cranberries would work for this recipe. 🙂
Priscilla says
So simple but taste so good,
thank you for sharing 👍
Sugar Spun Run says
I am so glad that you enjoyed the cranberry sauce, Priscilla. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Mary Amodeo says
I just made this recipe for a family gathering tomorrow. So excited, I added a little cinnamon. Love your recipe! I squeezed a fresh orange and added that. Delicious
Sugar Spun Run says
Thank you so much, Mary! I am so glad that you enjoyed the homemade cranberry sauce. The cinnamon and fresh orange you added sound wonderful. Enjoy! 🙂
Tyler says
Fresh squeezed is allways a fresher. And stronger taste of fruit being used love fresh squeezed allways