Easy Cranberry Sauce
November 04, 2025

Easy Cranberry Sauce

By Michele Parkinson

If you have never made homemade cranberry sauce you just haven't lived. Yes the pre-made is fine but the homemade is far better and it isn't even hard to do! 

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • Pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, creating a simple syrup.
  • Add the cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, and a pinch of salt to the saucepan.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat.
  • Let the cranberry sauce cool completely. 

For a more smoother texture, you can mash your cranberry sauce with a potato masher after it has cooled.

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