Description

This vibrant homemade cranberry sauce is bursting with bright citrus notes and warm cinnamon spice. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this easy recipe transforms fresh cranberries into a tangy-sweet condiment that pairs beautifully with turkey, roast chicken, or even spooned over cheesecake.

Ingredients

Scale

12 ounces fresh whole cranberries (1 bag, about 3 cups)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
3–4 strips fresh orange peel (about 3″ long each)

Instructions

Rinse cranberries and discard any soft or blemished berries.
In a medium saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves completely.
Add cranberries, cinnamon stick, and orange peel strips. Bring to a gentle boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and sauce thickens slightly.
Remove from heat and let cool completely (sauce will continue to thicken as it cools). Discard cinnamon stick and orange peels before serving.

Notes

Tips: For brighter flavor, add 1 tbsp orange zest with the peels. Substitutions: Replace 1/4 cup water with orange juice for extra citrus flavor. Storage: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Category: B
Method: Simmered
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Calories: 90
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 0mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberries, Thanksgiving side dish, orange cranberry sauce