Description
This Best Ever Cranberry Sauce is a simple, flavorful side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal. Made with fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice, and warm spices, this sauce is easy to prepare on the stovetop and offers a delightful balance of tart and sweet flavors. It can be served chilled or at room temperature, making it a versatile addition to your holiday table.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine all ingredients uniformly.
- Bring to boil: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a vigorous boil while stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally and watch as most cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Cool the sauce: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serve: Serve the cranberry sauce chilled or at room temperature. Optionally, adjust texture by mashing for chunkiness or blending for smoothness once cooled.
Notes
- This sauce can be made up to one week in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- For chunkier sauce, lightly mash with a spoon after cooling.
- For a smoother texture, blend the sauce once it has cooled.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
