Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe (2024)

This recipe for classic Cranberry Sauce is so easy and made with just 3 ingredients. No matter how many batches of cranberry sauce I’ve made, I always come back to this one. It’s simple, it’s classic, and it’s really the best.

Once you try homemade cranberry sauce, there’s just no going back to storebought. It’s better in taste, texture, and presentation. Pair this iconic holiday side dish with your Juicy Roast Turkey for a burst of sweet-tart flavor in every bite.

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We love cranberries for the holidays, from Sugared Cranberries (and you can use leftovers to make this cranberry sauce!) to moist and fluffy Cranberry Bread. If you are looking for a go-to cranberry sauce, this is it! Plus, you can change it up in so many different ways and make it your own (see variations below).

Classic Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Homemade Cranberry Sauce is iconic for the holidays and a staple of our Thanksgiving menu every year. Nothing pairs better with Thanksgiving Turkey. The combination of sweet and tangy with savory meats is irresistibly good.

Read on for our tips on how to sweeten this recipe the natural way, without processed sugar. We’ve also included some fun variations to really make this recipe your own because there are a hundred ways to make cranberry sauce.

Ingredients

You don’t need much to make a good cranberry sauce (scroll down to get the full amounts available in the recipe card):

  • Sweetener – Use your choice of granulated sugar or a natural sweetener, like honey or maple syrup. My favorite is maple syrup because it adds a nice layer of maple flavor.
  • Cranberries –We love making this recipe with whole fresh cranberries. Many grocery stores will carry bags of fresh cranberries when they’re in season.
Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe (2)

Pro Tip: You don’t need cornstarch to set this perfect cranberry sauce. Cranberries contain pectin, a natural thickener that is released when the berries are heated. If you simmer the sauce long enough, it will thicken all on its own.

Can I Use Frozen Cranberries?

Yes, this recipe will work with frozen cranberries, too. Frozen cranberries will take a little longer to come to a boil and simmer, but the texture always turns out just as delicious.

It’s easy to freeze fresh cranberries in the bags they came in (or transfer them to a freezer bag). They’ll keep frozen for up to a year, and we almost always have a stash in our freezer.

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How to Make Cranberry Sauce from Scratch

We just love how quickly this recipe comes together on the stovetop. It’s just 3 steps:

  1. Dissolve the Sugar – In a saucepan, combine your sweetener of choice with water on the stovetop, and bring it to a simmer. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
  2. Add Cranberries and Cook –Add the cranberries to the pot and let them come to a low boil, then cook, uncovered, until the sauce thickens. Remember to stir occasionally.
  3. Cool and Serve –Stir in additional sweetener to taste, then leave the cranberry sauce to cool. See below for easy serving suggestions.
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Pro Tip: If your cranberry sauce still tastes a bit bitter or too tart after it’s cooked, you can add more sweetener to taste.

Easy Variations

My favorite variation is this classic and simple version, but there are so many ways you can change up and enjoy this sauce. Below are more easy variations and add-in ideas (see the recipe card for more detailed instructions):

  • Cranberry Orange Sauce
  • Lemon zest and freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • Orange zest and orange juice
  • Dried cherries and pecans

Common Questions

What is the difference between Cranberry Sauce and Cranberry Relish?

Cranberry relish is generally more bitter, made from raw cranberries that are minced up in a food processor.

Can I add less sugar?

Yes! Less sugar or added sweetness will result in a more tart and tangy sauce. Start with ½ cup of sweetener and add more to taste.

Can I double the recipe?

Homemade cranberry sauce freezes beautifully (see below), so go ahead and make a double batch if you’d like to have extras.

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Ways to Serve Cranberry Sauce

We’ll often serve this homemade sauce cold or at room temperature. Here are just some of the many ways to enjoy it:

  • Roasts –Pair it with succulent roasts like your Roast Turkey, Beef Tenderloin, or Pork Tenderloin.
  • Stuffing – it pairs great with Thanksgiving stuffing.
  • Bread – Spread the sauce over fluffy Dinner Rolls or even over toast in the morning. It’s also great to spread in a Chicken Salad sandwich.
  • Topping –Cranberries make a great topping for desserts like Cheesecake.

Make-Ahead

This classic condiment keeps well for days after it’s made. Here’s how to store your leftovers:

  • To Refrigerate: Store the cooled cranberries airtight in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  • Freezing: You can freeze homemade cranberry sauce for up to 2 months. Seal it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag to store, and defrost it in the fridge before serving.
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We can’t wait for you to try this simple, yet unbelievably tangy and tasty 3-ingredient cranberry sauce.

More Cranberry Recipes

Can’t get enough cranberries for the holidays? Check out even more easy cranberry recipes:

  • Sparkling Cranberry Pineapple Punch
  • Cranberry Orange Scones
  • Cranberry Bundt Cake
  • Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Cranberries
  • Apple Cranberry Danish

Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

5 from 67 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

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Homemade Cranberry Sauce is an iconic Thanksgiving side dish made with just 3 ingredients. You can sweeten it with sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup (our favorite!).The sweet and tangy flavors pair perfectly with savory turkey.

SavePinReviewPrint

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 8 servings

  • 1 cup granulated sugar, or 3/4 cup honey or maple syrup, plus more to taste
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

Optional add-ins at the start of cooking:

  • 2 wide strips of lemon zest, plus 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 wide strips of orange zest, plus 1/4 cup juice
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick

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

  • To Store: Once cranberry sauce has cooled to room temperature, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Per Serving

116kcal Calories30g Carbs0.2g Protein0.1g Fat0.004g Saturated Fat0.02g Polyunsaturated Fat0.01g Monounsaturated Fat2mg Sodium35mg Potassium2g Fiber27g Sugar26IU Vitamin A6mg Vitamin C4mg Calcium0.1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

116

% Daily Value*

Fat

0.1

g

%

Saturated Fat

0.004

g

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

0.02

g

Monounsaturated Fat

0.01

g

Potassium

35

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

30

g

10

%

Fiber

2

g

8

%

Sugar

27

g

30

%

Protein

0.2

g

%

Vitamin A

26

IU

1

%

Vitamin C

6

mg

7

%

Calcium

4

mg

%

Iron

0.1

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Condiments, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, how to make cranberry sauce

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 116

Natasha Kravchuk

Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What takes the bitterness out of cranberry sauce? ›

If your cranberry sauce comes out tasting too bitter, don't reach for the sugar. Granulated sugar might make the situation worse, especially if you don't have time to reheat the sauce so the sugar can dissolve properly. Instead, reach for another sweetener: maple syrup.

What thickens cranberry sauce? ›

Jelling. Homemade cranberry sauce is meant to thicken, or “jell,” while cooking. If it stays soupy, that could mean a couple of things. One possibility is that you may not have used enough sugar: Sugar helps the sauce firm up, so be sure to use the full amount called for in a recipe.

How to improve cranberry sauce? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

Why is my homemade cranberry sauce runny? ›

Mistake #2: Your Cranberry Sauce Is Too Runny

You may have added too much liquid to the cranberries. In addition to pectin, cranberries contain water, which means you only need to add a splash of liquid to get the cooking going. Add too much and you'll be stirring at the stove much longer than expected.

How to make cranberry taste better? ›

In lieu of granulated sugar, try genuine maple syrup. It's already liquid so it will stir right into the cranberry sauce, lending it a gentle sweetness. If you don't have maple syrup (pancake syrup WILL NOT do, y'all), try honey or a more neutral sweetener like agave syrup, brown rice syrup, or even simple syrup.

What can I add to counteract bitterness? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

Why is my cranberry sauce upside down? ›

But why? Ocean Spray says this is to get the cranberry sauce out in one intact piece. “The rounded part of the can that looks like the bottom has an air bubble in it,” Ocean Spray's representative explains. The bubble is there so you can “break the seal the sauce makes with the can.”

How to fix cranberry sauce that is too sweet? ›

Cranberry sauce is supposed to be a balance of sweet and tart. The sauce acts as a cleansing port in a tumultuous storm of fat and salt, but the effect is lost if the sauce is too sweet. Luckily, there is a very easy way to fix an over-sugared homemade sauce: You just need a little citric acid.

How long does homemade cranberry sauce last? ›

When to Toss Cranberry Sauce. Cranberry sauce will last for two hours at room temperature. Homemade cranberry sauce will last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days. Canned cranberry sauce that has been opened will last up to a week in the fridge.

Why is cranberry sauce so expensive? ›

But that's not the case for prepared cranberry sauces, where prices are up. Lochner pointed out that processors set those prices, not growers, and that there are higher input costs unrelated to berries — like “processing the fruit and getting it to market.”

What does eating cranberry sauce do for you? ›

The great amount of antioxidants found in cranberries, such as proanthocyanidins, could help lower your chance of getting cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm this. Cranberries have two big benefits for heart health: lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol.

Should cranberry sauce be served warm or cold? ›

Typically served chilled, our recipe can be made up to 3 days ahead.

Does homemade cranberry sauce thicken when it cools? ›

Reduce heat to a low boil and cook for 10 minutes, until the berries have all burst. Remove from heat. Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.

What if I put too much water in my cranberry sauce? ›

If you inadvertently added too much water, simply bring the cranberry sauce back to the stove top and bring it to a low boil, cooking it down just a bit to help thicken it up.

How to tell when cranberry sauce is done? ›

Pull the sauce off the stove once you hear or see the first few cranberries burst. You want some of them to burst but others to remain whole for the best texture. The sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance; keep refrigerated, and do not add the nuts until Thanksgiving Day, a few hours before serving.

How do you get the bitter taste out of sauce? ›

Add Some Baking Soda

If your tomato sauce is too acidic and verging on bitter, turn to baking soda, not sugar. Yes, sugar might make the sauce taste better, but good old baking soda is an alkaline that will help balance the excess acid. A little pinch should do the trick.

How do you get the bitter taste out of cranberry juice? ›

Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of raw honey to your juice. and give it a stir.

Why are my cranberry bitter? ›

Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

How do you counteract bitterness in juice? ›

You could add a small amount of salt to the mix. The salt will help balance the acids and neutralize the bitter flavor. Don't add enough to taste but just enough to reverse the bitterness.

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