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Easy Tangy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe for Perfect Holidays

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A fuss-free, fresh, and tangy homemade cranberry sauce that balances tart and sweet perfectly, ideal for holidays or any meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries (about 340 grams)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams)
  • 3/4 cup water (180 ml)
  • Zest of one medium orange
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (60 ml)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cranberries under cold water and pick out any soft or damaged berries (about 2 minutes).
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, and rinsed cranberries. Stir gently to combine.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally (about 5 minutes).
  4. Reduce heat to low and add orange zest, fresh orange juice, ground cinnamon (optional), and a pinch of salt. Stir to mix.
  5. Simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens but still has texture.
  6. Remove from heat and let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes; sauce will thicken more as it cools.
  7. Transfer sauce to a heatproof bowl or jar and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Do not over-stir to keep some whole berries for texture. Use fresh orange zest for best flavor. Simmer gently to avoid burning. Adjust sweetness gradually. Sauce thickens more after chilling. Can add honey or maple syrup as sweetener alternatives. Sauce can be made in a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours for a softer texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, Thanksgiving, Christmas, tangy cranberry sauce, easy cranberry sauce