Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe Easy 5-Minute Holiday Staple
A bright, fresh, and easy homemade cranberry sauce that cooks in about 5 minutes, perfect for holiday tables and made with natural ingredients.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz fresh cranberries (340 g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
- 1 cup water (240 ml)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup orange juice (60 ml)
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water in the saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add fresh cranberries and orange zest. Cook until berries start to pop and burst.
- Pour in orange juice and add cinnamon stick if using. The sauce will bubble up.
- Lower heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until thickened and cranberries are mostly softened but still textured.
- Remove cinnamon stick and transfer sauce to a bowl or jar to cool. Serve warm, chilled, or at room temperature.
Notes
Do not skip the orange zest for brightness. Stir gently and consistently to avoid burning. Adjust sugar to taste. Save some whole cranberries for presentation. If sauce is watery, simmer longer uncovered to reduce liquid. This sauce is naturally dairy-free and vegan. Avoid freezing as it changes texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 17
- Sodium: 2
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 0.2
Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, easy cranberry sauce, fresh cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving sauce