← Back to Recipes

🍊 Cranberry Sauce

Prep: 5 minCook: 10 minTotal: ~15 min

🍊 My Cranberry Sauce Plan: Orange & Spice (Option 2)

The winner: Healthier than classic, tastes like Thanksgiving in a spoon, still super easy

Why This Version

  • ✅ Uses less sugar than classic
  • ✅ Gets natural sweetness from orange juice + zest
  • ✅ Spices add flavor without calories
  • ✅ No junk, no corn syrup, no preservatives
  • ✅ Makes your kitchen smell like a warm holiday storybook
  • ✅ Best for leftovers (turkey sandwiches, stuffing, toast, oatmeal)

Ingredients

  • • 12 oz fresh cranberries (1 bag)
  • • ¾ cup sugar (or ½ cup if you like it tart)
  • • Zest of 1 orange
  • • Juice of ½ orange
  • • ½ cup water
  • • 1 cinnamon stick (or ¼ tsp ground cinnamon)
  • • Optional: ⅛ tsp clove or nutmeg
  • • Optional: Pinch of salt (makes fruit flavor explode)

Method

1. Bring to simmer

In medium saucepan, combine water + sugar, bring to a simmer

2. Add everything

Add cranberries, orange juice, zest, and cinnamon

3. Simmer

Let it bubble for 10 minutes until berries pop like tiny firecrackers

4. Cool

Remove from heat - it will thicken as it cools

5. Chill

Refrigerate 2+ hours for best texture

Make-Ahead

  • • Can make: Up to 5 days ahead
  • • Gets better: As it sits
  • • Store: In refrigerator

Texture Options

  • • Chunky: Stop cooking when some berries are still whole
  • • Smooth: Cook longer until all berries burst, then mash with spoon
  • • Perfect jiggle: Let it cool completely before serving

Pro Tips

  • ✓ Don't skip the "pop" - cranberries should burst open
  • ✓ Taste as you go - adjust sweetness to preference
  • ✓ Sauce thickens significantly as it cools
  • ✓ Can be reheated gently if needed
  • ✓ Freezes beautifully for next year!