Cranberry Sauce: Easy Orange 15-Minute Recipe

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep 5 minutes | Cook 10 minutes | Total 15 minutes plus chilling | Serves 8 | Easy | American | Side dish

Intro

Homemade cranberry sauce needs only fresh cranberries, sugar, water, and orange. The berries pop as they simmer, making a glossy, tart-sweet sauce that thickens as it cools and pairs easily with a holiday meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It takes about 15 minutes on the stove, can be made several days ahead, and lets you adjust the sweetness to taste.

Hannah Brooks

Cranberry Sauce

Fresh cranberries simmer with sugar, water, orange zest, and orange juice until the berries burst. Chill until thickened.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Chill 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 115

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz fresh cranberries rinsed and picked over
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp orange zest finely grated
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 pinch kosher salt

Equipment

• 1 zester
• 1 small saucepan
• 1 Wooden spoon
• 1 heat-safe bowl

Method

 

1. Combine cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, orange juice, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most berries burst and the liquid looks syrupy.
4. Remove from heat and cool 20 minutes.
5. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and chill at least 2 hours until thickened.

Notes

The sauce thickens as it cools. For less sweetness, start with 2/3 cup sugar. Refrigerate up to 1 week. Nutrition is an estimate.

Recipe Tips

Pick out soft berries before cooking. Stop simmering when a few berries remain whole; the sauce will set further in the refrigerator.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not judge thickness while hot. Overcooking can turn the berries into a flat puree, so leave some whole for texture.

Variations

Replace orange juice with water and add a little more zest. Add a pinch of cinnamon or finely chopped apple if desired.

What to Serve With It

Serve beside savory holiday sides or spoon it over leftover sandwiches. Find more side ideas in the Recipe Index.

Storage

Keep covered in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

Reheating

Serve chilled or warm gently in a small saucepan with a spoonful of water.

Make Ahead

Prepare up to 5 days before serving and refrigerate after cooling.

FAQs

Why is my cranberry sauce runny?

It may still be warm. Chill it for at least 2 hours so the natural pectin can help it set.

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes. Add them straight from frozen and simmer until most berries burst, adding a minute or two if needed.