Best cranberry sauce homemade recipe Easy steps ingredients for flavorful cranberry sauce Master this homemade techultimate dish now
Total Time:20 minutes
Yield:Approximately 3 cups1x
Ingredients
Scale
12 ounces fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
1 cup water
¾ cup granulated sugar (or substitute with maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar to taste)
1 tablespoon orange zest
½ cup orange juice
A pinch of salt
A cinnamon stick (optional)
A star anise (optional)
Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Dried cranberries (optional)
A splash of orange liqueur (optional)
Instructions
Rinse and Sort Cranberries: Rinse the cranberries under cold water and remove any stems, soft, or discolored berries.
Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, water, sugar, orange zest, and orange juice.
Bring to a Boil: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Adjust Sweetness (if needed): Taste the sauce and add more sugar or sweetener if desired.
Add Optional Ingredients (if using): Stir in any optional ingredients, such as a cinnamon stick, star anise, or chopped nuts, during the last few minutes of simmering.
Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cranberry sauce cool completely. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Transfer the cranberry sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
This article focuses on creating the perfect homemade cranberry sauce. We’ll cover everything from selecting the best ingredients to step-by-step instructions for a foolproof recipe.