Description
A simple and delicious homemade cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries, a mix of sugars, orange juice, and water, simmered to a perfect thick consistency. This easy recipe is perfect for holiday meals or anytime you want a fresh, tangy-sweet sauce to accompany your dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, tightly packed
- ⅓ cup water
- ⅔ cup orange juice
- 12 oz cranberries, rinsed and picked through to remove bad or bruised berries
Instructions
- Combine sugars and liquids: In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, water, and orange juice. Stir occasionally until the sugars are completely dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Add cranberries and boil: Add the cleaned cranberries to the boiling sugar mixture. Allow the mixture to return to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer cranberries: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the cranberries for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Most of the berries should burst during this time, releasing their juices and thickening the sauce. Be careful of splattering as the mixture simmers. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
- Cool the sauce: Transfer the hot cranberry sauce into a bowl and let it cool at room temperature for at least 20 minutes to set.
- Refrigerate before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the cranberry sauce for at least 2 hours. This chilling step enhances the flavors and allows the sauce to thicken properly before serving.
Notes
- The thickness of the sauce depends on cooking time; longer simmering results in thicker sauce.
- Fresh cranberries are preferred for best flavor and texture.
- Carefully stir and watch for splatter during simmering to avoid burns.
- Orange juice adds a subtle citrus flavor, but it can be substituted with water or other fruit juices if preferred.
- This sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, fresh cranberry sauce, easy cranberry sauce
