Description
Cranberry sauce brings festive cheer with its perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Homemade goodness shines through this simple recipe that connects seasonal traditions and culinary comfort you’ll savor at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) fresh or frozen cranberries
Sweeteners:
- ⅓ cup (67 grams) sugar
Liquid and Citrus:
- ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) water
- Zest from 1 lemon or orange
Instructions
- Wash fresh cranberries and separate 120 grams () to add later for texture and visual appeal.
- Place remaining cranberries, granulated sugar, water, and orange zest into a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir ingredients gently to ensure even distribution and prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Allow mixture to gradually heat up, watching for the first signs of bubbling and cranberries beginning to soften and break down.
- Maintain a consistent low simmer, stirring every couple of minutes to prevent burning and promote even cooking.
- After approximately 8-10 minutes, observe the cranberries transforming into a vibrant, slightly thickened sauce with some berries naturally bursting.
- Taste the sauce and adjust sweetness by incrementally adding more sugar if desired, stirring until completely dissolved.
- Fold in the reserved whole cranberries to introduce additional texture and fresh berry intensity.
- Continue simmering for another 5-7 minutes until sauce reaches a jam-like consistency and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and allow sauce to cool, understanding it will continue to thicken as it reaches room temperature.
Notes
- Stir in the reserved whole cranberries during the final simmering stage for texture contrast and visual appeal.
- Cooking the sauce slowly allows natural pectin to develop, creating a thicker, more luxurious consistency.
- Sugar levels can be personalized based on tartness preference, making this sauce adaptable to individual tastes.
- Fresh cranberries provide a vibrant, zingy flavor that elevates holiday meals and cuts through rich dishes.
- Homemade sauce outshines store-bought versions with its bright, pure cranberry essence and customizable sweetness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 80 kcal
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg