World's Best Cranberry Sauce
User Reviews
4.5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
102 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Condiments
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Cuisine
American
World's Best Cranberry Sauce
Description
The World's Best Cranberry Sauce uses 12 ounces of cranberries cooked with orange juice and granulated sugar to achieve sweetness and tartness balance. Ground nutmeg and vanilla extract add warmth and complexity, while fresh orange zest provides brightness. Bringing the mixture to a boil and then simmering for about 10 minutes causes the cranberries to burst, releasing their juices and thickening the sauce.
This sauce is best cooled at room temperature to let it thicken before serving alongside dishes such as poultry or holiday meals. It can be stored refrigerated for up to two weeks or frozen in airtight containers for longer storage.
Adjusting sugar allows control over sweetness levels. If the sauce is not thick enough after chilling, returning it to a simmer helps concentrate it further. Using orange juice rather than water preserves the flavor depth and prevents bitterness.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cranberries (1 bag), rinsed
- ½ cup orange juice store bought or freshly squeezed
- ¾ cup sugar granulated
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg ground
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Instructions
- Assemble the sauce: Add all the ingredients to a smaller pot and stir to combine. Turn the heat to a medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Finish the sauce: Reduce the heat to a medium and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will notice the cranberries will burst as they cook.
- Cool and serve: Let cool completely at room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Frozen cranberries can be used directly without thawing before cooking.
- Orange juice is essential to balance tartness and avoid bitterness—do not substitute with water.
- To reduce sugar, start with ½ cup and adjust to taste; sugar substitutes can be used if desired.
- If sauce is too thin after chilling, gently simmer longer and cool again to thicken.
- Stored in the refrigerator, sauce keeps fresh up to 2 weeks; it can also be frozen airtight for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 102 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 102kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 9% |
| Sodium | 1mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 67mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 65IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 15.4mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 8mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.1mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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