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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Homemade Cranberry Sauce

    Updated: Nov 14, 2023 • Published: Nov 16, 2018 by Sam Merritt • 263 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

    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! 

    Fresh homemade cranberry sauce

    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.

    Ingredients for cranberry sauce

    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.

    Spoonful of cranberry sauce

    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!

    Cranberry sauce in bowl

    Homemade Cranberry Sauce

    An easy homemade cranberry sauce, made with fresh cranberries and just a handful of other ingredients.
    4.99 from 258 votes
    Print Pin Rate
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    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Chilling Time: 2 hours hours
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 159kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt

    Ingredients

    • ⅔ cup (133 g) sugar
    • ⅓ cup (67 g) light brown sugar, tightly packed
    • ⅓ cup (78 ml) water
    • ⅔ cup (157 ml) orange juice
    • 12 oz (340 g) cranberries rinsed and picked through -- bad/bruised cranberries removed

    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.  
      ⅔ cup (133 g) sugar, ⅓ cup (67 g) light brown sugar, tightly packed, ⅓ cup (78 ml) water, ⅔ cup (157 ml) orange juice
    • Add cranberries and return to a boil.
      12 oz (340 g) cranberries
    • Reduce heat to a 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.  

    Notes

    Cranberry sauce can be prepared up to a week in advance; keep refrigerated in an airtight container.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 29.7mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

    Cranberry sauce in bowl

    I originally published this Cranberry Sauce recipe 11/20/2017, post has been updated to include tips and more information.

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      Naan

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Susan Lewis

      December 24, 2018 at 7:12 pm

      Everyone went crazy over this cranberry sauce recipe on Thanksgiving so, I’m making a double batch for tomorrow. Will
      be so good with ham. Have a Merry
      Christmas! I am really enjoying all
      the fun recipes.

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 24, 2018 at 11:31 pm

        I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed!! Thanks for commenting, Susan! <3 Merry Christmas!

        Reply
    2. Clifford

      December 21, 2018 at 11:37 pm

      Sam, the first Thanksgiving batch came out superbly! Everyone loved it and we will not go back to jelly. My brother-in-law used it on every bite! The kids were disappointed it was gone after the first leftover sandwiches!

      So simple like simple syrup. We are headed out for a Christmas dinner tomorrow and am making it again for a great side. One tweak, I’m DOUBLING it! Fresh orange juice at this time of year is a plus. For the texture, extra simmer time renders the berries yummy. …oh I added a splash of red wine. Will do it again,
      #bringtheberrirsback

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 22, 2018 at 12:21 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Janice

      December 16, 2018 at 9:33 pm

      Can I use coconut sugar in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 16, 2018 at 11:08 pm

        Hi, Janice. I haven’t used it, but I think that will be fine. It will change the flavor a little bit.

        Reply
    4. Clifford

      November 22, 2018 at 11:52 am

      Ok. First ever post anywhere! I was concerned about the “berry texture” hating world and recalled my first taste as a 9 year old (now 46) and have been jelly ever since. I could eat it out of the can. I’m going old school and as my Dad says, “Do the recipe first and tweak it later” I have all my ingredients lined up and was enthused about blending it. It’s 7:51 in the West coast. I’m going in. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 22, 2018 at 6:52 pm

        I hope you love it! 😊

        Reply
    5. Vanessa

      November 22, 2018 at 3:18 am

      5 stars
      I just made this for Thanksgiving tomorrow for my family and it turned out so good… I love it an i dont think i will ever eat canned cranberry sauce again…. Thankyou so much😉

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 22, 2018 at 9:13 am

        So happy to hear this! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you, Happy Thanksgiving, Vanessa!

        Reply
    6. Suzanne

      November 20, 2018 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      I just made this and it is DELICIOUS. I did not have light brown sugar on hand, so I used dark. My husband says he’s never had homemade cranberry sauce that he liked and, if he doesn’t change his mind with this, he’s bonkers. I used an immersion blender in order to make it smooth like the offending, canned, retain-the-seams kind, and can’t wait to serve this as an alternative on Thanksgiving day. This is a simple recipe that comes together quickly and will be my go-to from now on. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 20, 2018 at 7:50 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed it Suzanne! ☺️

        Reply
    7. Madlynn Marie Robinson

      November 18, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness!! I was looking for a simple recipe. You can’t get any more simple than this. It was delicious!!

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 18, 2018 at 3:33 pm

        I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you, Madlynn! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Bridget Blackwell

      November 18, 2018 at 10:24 am

      we don’t like the hulls of the popped berries either…. i simply strain it. it takes some effort – push it through w/a wooden spoon!

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 18, 2018 at 10:37 am

        Good advice! Thanks Bridget!

        Reply
    9. Jo Ellen Washburn

      November 16, 2018 at 11:24 pm

      5 stars
      So much better than canned versions – and so easy to make. I add some orange zest as well. You are such a great cook, Sam!

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 17, 2018 at 11:15 pm

        Thank you, Jo Ellen! I’m so glad you enjoyed the cranberry sauce! Thank you for commenting 🙂

        Reply
    10. Susan

      November 16, 2018 at 12:37 pm

      Can you use frozen cranberries or do they need to be fresh? I have never made Cranberry sauce before & the homemade recipes do look good & easy to make. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 16, 2018 at 2:51 pm

        Frozen would work too! I hope you enjoy the recipe, Susan! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Kathy Ehrman

      November 12, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      How about adding nuts, celery and maybe some cherries? Have you ever tried that?

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 12, 2018 at 9:08 pm

        I am sure you could add nuts and maybe cherries, but I don’t think I would recommend the celery.

        Reply
    12. michelle ruggiero

      November 28, 2017 at 11:41 pm

      5 stars
      I used an immersion blender as my 62 yo brother likes it smooth. It was delicious!

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 29, 2017 at 12:39 pm

        I’m so glad that you both enjoyed!! 🙂

        Reply
      • Mizliki

        November 12, 2018 at 10:59 pm

        Was it like the jellied cranberry sauce?

        Reply
    13. Lois Greene

      November 22, 2017 at 10:17 pm

      5 stars
      Yum, yum, and more yum. I accidentally did the sugar measurement backwards but it still came out great. Thanks

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 22, 2017 at 10:18 pm

        So happy to hear that you liked it! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you, Lois! 🙂

        Reply
    14. Lisa

      November 22, 2017 at 8:50 am

      Can this be frozen for use later?

      Reply
    15. Berlinda

      November 20, 2017 at 2:43 pm

      5 stars
      Can you use a masher so as to not have whole cranberries? Some family do not like whole cranberries!

      Thank You

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 21, 2017 at 10:47 pm

        Hmm, I’m not sure about using a masher, but if you cook it long enough the berries will all burst and you won’t have whole berries any longer. This is not the same as or as smooth as jellied cranberry sauce though, it sounds like that might be what you are looking for.

        Reply
        • FuntasticOne

          November 12, 2018 at 2:26 pm

          5 stars
          This is my son in laws favorite, always have to make extra. As for those that do not like the berries, I just keep a can of jellied cranberry sauce on hand. Keep it simple, more than enough going on preparing for that big meal.

        • Cathi A

          November 23, 2018 at 10:56 pm

          5 stars
          A food sieve will remove the skins and such

        • Tarna

          November 26, 2018 at 7:25 am

          5 stars
          Sam in SA it is hard to find the fresh cranberries but we certainly have dried ones in abundance can I turn the dried ones into a nice cranberry sauce.

        • Sam

          November 26, 2018 at 9:42 am

          Unfortunately the dried ones wouldn’t work, but by chance can you find frozen ones? Frozen cranberries would work for this recipe.

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