The Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe Ready in 15 Minutes Recipe
This easy and delicious homemade cranberry sauce is ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for adding a fresh, tangy touch to your holiday meals. Made with simple ingredients like fresh cranberries, sugar, and water or orange juice, this sauce can be customized with warm spices or zest for extra flavor. It cooks quickly on the stovetop, bursting with vibrant taste and a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Sauce Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries (no need to thaw if frozen)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water or orange juice (for added flavor)
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water (or orange juice). Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Boil: Bring the sugar liquid mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add Cranberries: Once boiling, add the cranberries to the saucepan. The mixture will return to a boil quickly once the berries are added.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally while you listen for the cranberries to pop open as they cook.
- Thicken: Continue cooking until most cranberries burst and the sauce thickens to your preferred consistency, stirring a bit at a time.
- Cool: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool before serving or refrigerating for later use.
Notes
- Use orange juice instead of water for a brighter, citrusy flavor.
- Add spices like ground cinnamon or fresh orange zest to elevate the taste.
- The sauce will thicken further as it cools; adjust cooking time to achieve your desired texture.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- This sauce pairs perfectly with turkey, chicken, or vegetarian holiday dishes.
Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, quick cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, Thanksgiving side dish
