Cranberry Sauce

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

This cranberry sauce is the perfect combination of tart cranberries and a sweetener of your choice—sugar, honey, or maple syrup. It's easy to make and the perfect addition to your holiday table. The cranberries burst as they simmer, thickening the sauce into a beautifully textured condiment. Adjust the sweetness to suit your taste and enjoy a refreshing, zesty dish.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:06:20 GMT
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This homemade cranberry sauce is a must-have for your holiday meals. It's perfectly balanced between tart cranberries and the sweetness of sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Simple to make and incredibly flavorful, it's the perfect addition to any festive spread.

INGREDIENTS
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup, or use ¾ cup honey or maple syrup as a natural sweetener
  • Water: ¾ cup, preferably filtered for the best taste
  • Cranberries: 12 oz fresh or frozen, the key ingredient for this classic sauce
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1:
In a large saucepan, combine the sugar (or honey/maple syrup) and water. Set over medium heat.
Step 2:
Stir to dissolve the sugar completely and bring to a simmer.
Step 3:
Add cranberries and bring to a gentle boil. Lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4:
As the cranberries burst, the sauce will thicken. Adjust sweetness to taste.
Step 5:
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before serving.
Step 6:
Enjoy the perfect balance of sweet and tart!
Serving and Storage Tips
  • This cranberry sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside turkey, chicken, or roasted vegetables.
Helpful Notes
  • For a richer flavor, consider using maple syrup or honey as a sweetener instead of granulated sugar.
  • If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can mash the cranberries or blend the mixture once cooled.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

  • Chef Ina Garten recommends using freshly squeezed orange juice for an added citrusy note in cranberry sauce.
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Cranberry Sauce | recipesbyclare.com

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

This simple cranberry sauce recipe is sweet, tart, and perfect for holiday dinners. A must-have for the season!

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1.5 cups)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 cup granulated sugar (or ¾ cup honey or maple syrup).
02 ¾ cup water (preferably filtered).
03 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries.

Instructions

Step 01

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar (or maple syrup/honey) and water. Set over medium heat.

Step 02

Stir to dissolve the sugar completely. Bring to a simmer.

Step 03

Add cranberries and bring to a gentle boil. Lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Step 04

As the cranberries burst, the sauce will thicken. Adjust sweetness to taste.

Step 05

Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before serving.

Step 06

Enjoy the perfect balance of sweet and tart!.

Notes

  1. This homemade cranberry sauce is the ideal balance of tart cranberries and sweetness from sugar or honey, making it perfect for holiday meals.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 130
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: 33 g
  • Protein: ~