Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
8 servings (makes about 2 cups)
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Calories
116 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Condiments
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Cuisine
American
Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Description
The preparation starts by dissolving the sweetener of choice in water over medium heat before adding cranberries. The mixture is gently boiled and then simmered uncovered, stirring occasionally, until most cranberries burst and the liquid reduces to a thick consistency. Adjustments to sweetness can be made by adding more syrup or sugar to taste.
The sauce's texture is thick but spoonable, with the characteristic tang of cranberries tempered by the sweetener. Optional add-ins like strips of lemon and orange zest, citrus juice, dried cherries, and cinnamon stick can be cooked with the cranberries to layer additional flavors.
After cooking, the sauce cools to room temperature before serving, typically as a condiment alongside poultry dishes such as turkey. It stores refrigerated up to one week or can be frozen up to three months, making it practical for holiday meals.
Using liquid sweeteners allows combining all ingredients at once for convenience, while dry sugar may benefit from dissolving first. The sauce serves well chilled or at room temperature.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar or 3/4 cup honey or maple syrup, plus more to taste
- 3/4 cup water preferably filtered
- 12 oz Cranberry fresh or frozen
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine sugar (or maple syrup or honey) and water. Set over medium heat and stir to dissolve the sugar.* Add cranberries and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, about 12-15 minutes.
- Add more maple syrup, honey, or sugar to taste if needed, then remove from heat and cool sauce to room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Add strips of lemon and orange zest plus citrus juice for extra brightness.
- Incorporate dried cherries or a cinnamon stick during cooking for added flavor complexity.
- Store cooled cranberry sauce in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- When using liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, ingredients can be combined at once and boiled.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings (makes about 2 cups)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 116 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 116kcal | 6% |
| Carbs | 30g | |
| Protein | 0.2g | 0% |
| Fat | 0.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.004g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.02g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Sodium | 2mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 35mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin A | 26IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 4mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.1mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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