5 from 177 votes
Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Better Than Store-Bought)
This cranberry sauce combines fresh or frozen cranberries simmered with honey, orange juice, and water to create a tangy and slightly sweet condiment. Simmering causes the cranberries to burst and the mixture to thicken, producing a textured, flavorful sauce that complements holiday meals. Optional orange zest can add brightness, enhancing the sauce's natural tartness balanced by honey's sweetness. It's a straightforward make-ahead recipe ideal for traditional festive dinners.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Calories:
94 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 cups (about a 12-ounce package) Cranberry fresh or frozen
- ½ cup honey or more as desired, or maple syrup
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup water
- orange zest optional
Instructions
- Boil the orange juice mixture. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the water, orange juice, and honey and bring to a boil.
- Add the cranberries and give everything stir.
- Simmer the sauce. Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes while stirring occasionally. The cranberries will burst (that's what you want) and the sauce will start to thicken.
- Let it cool. Turn the heat off and let it cool for 15 minutes. Then transfer it to a container and place it in the fridge to chill and thicken up.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Make this cranberry sauce a day ahead to allow flavors to develop; reheat gently before serving.
- Adjust sweetness by tasting before cooling, adding more honey or syrup if desired.
- For a milder orange flavor, reduce orange juice to 1/4 cup or omit it entirely.
- Leftover cranberry sauce can be repurposed in various recipes, extending its use beyond the holiday meal.
Nutrition Information
Calories
94kcal
(5%)
Carbohydrates
25g
(8%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
2mg
(0%)
Potassium
85mg
(2%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
21g
(42%)
Vitamin A
61IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
15mg
(17%)
Calcium
7mg
(1%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 94
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 94kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 2mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 85mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 61IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 7mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.