Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is an easy Thanksgiving classic that’s a must for your dinner menu. This one’s naturally sweet, with a hint of orange, and slightly chunky – the perfect texture to spoon over your best turkey recipe and everything else on the table.
While you might be tempted to grab the canned stuff, promise me you won’t do it. Because there’s really no comparison to homemade cranberry sauce that’s fresh, zingy, and sweet.
Not only is cranberry sauce extremely easy to make at home, but you can control the amount of sweetness and avoid any preservatives. All you need is a bag of cranberries, honey, and orange juice. Plus, you can prep this ahead of time. And that gives you one less thing to worry about come Thanksgiving day. So grab your pot and let’s get cooking.
What’s In Homemade Cranberry Sauce?
Here’s what you’ll need for a traditional (but also the best) cranberry sauce.
- Cranberries: You can use fresh or frozen cranberries here, either works. And if you have extras leftover, save them for a cranberry smoothie!
- Sweetener: Honey or maple syrup will give this just the right amount of natural sweetness.
- Orange Juice and Water: While you can simplify this recipe and use only water, orange juice adds a delicious depth of flavor that compliments the cranberries perfectly.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How To Make Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Similar to my my chia seed jam, cranberry sauce is cooked in a pot with sugar and fruit. And since cranberries are high in pectin, this will help the sauce gel up beautifully. Here’s how to make it:
- Wash your cranberries. If using fresh cranberries, rinse them in a colander under running water to make sure they’re nice and clean. You can skip this if you’re using frozen cranberries.
- Combine all the ingredients. Pour the cranberries, water, orange juice, and honey in a pot over medium-high heat.
- Bring to a boil. Mix it all together, bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Let it simmer. As it’s simmering, stir occasionally. You’ll notice that the cranberries will start to burst and the sauce will thicken.
- Cool. Turn the heat off and let it cool before using or storing. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Jazz Up Your Cranberry Sauce
With simple ingredients like nuts and spices! Here’s some ideas to bring additional texture and flavor to this classic sauce.
- Add sweet spices. A dash of cinnamon will give it a sweet warmth. Just stir it in at the last few minutes of cooking.
- Make it bright. Stir in grated orange or sprinkle on top to add brightness.
- Add some depth. Pour in 1/2 a cup of red wine into the mix.
- Bring the heat. Add some freshly grated ginger or chopped jalapeños to turn this into a more savory dish.
- Add crunch. Toast walnuts, pecans, or pine nuts. Chop them, and sprinkle on top before serving.
Ways To Use Cranberry Sauce
The beauty of cranberry sauce is that you can eat it with almost anything. For Thanksgiving dinner, you can spoon it over turkey, mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts.
And if you’ve got leftovers, here’s a few ways to get creative:
- Serve with slow cooker chicken, lemon garlic spatchcock chicken, or pork meatballs.
- Dollop onto a turkey cobb salad, your morning oatmeal, homemade yogurt or chia pudding.
- Spread it onto paleo pancakes, buckwheat waffles, a vegan cheesecake, or inside cassava flour crepes.
How Long Does Cranberry Sauce Keep?
- To store: place this in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks.
- To freeze: pour the sauce into a freezer-safe container after it’s cooled for up to 3 months.
- For defrosting: simply let it defrost in the fridge overnight, give it a good stir, and serve.
Classic Thanksgiving Recipes To Add To Your Menu
You’re on a roll with the cranberry sauce, so don’t stop there! Complete your impressive dinner spread with these much-loved Thanksgiving recipes:
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Green Beans With Shallots And Lemon
- Baked Sweet Potato
- Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
- Mashed Butternut Squash
Cranberry Sauce Recipe Video
Watch the video below to see how I make this recipe. Super easy!
I think we can all agree that it’s not a Thanksgiving dinner without a bowl of homemade cranberry sauce! So if you make this recipe, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Better Than Store-Bought)
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 4 cups (12oz package) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup, or more as desired
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup water
- orange zest, optional
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the water, orange juice, and honey. Bring to a boil.
- Add in the cranberries and give everything stir.
- Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes while stirring occasionally. The cranberries will burst (that's what you want) and the sauce will start to thicken.
- Turn the heat off and let it cool for 15 minutes. Then transfer it to a container and place in the fridge to chill and thicken up.
Lisa’s Tips
- Cranberries are naturally tangy and tart. I don’t add a lot of maple/honey to mine, but feel free to add more if you like your cranberry sauce sweeter. Just take a quick taste test before cooling.
- Cranberry sauce adds such vibrant color to a table, so I love to serve it in this glass gravy bowl and let it shine!
This was so easy and so delicious! Everyone loved it! I will definitely be making this again and again. Not just for the holidays – every day can be a holiday!!!!
This cranberry sauce is always welcome any day of the season!
Made this version of cranberry sauce and it was delicious! Family enjoyed it! Love Lisa’s recipes!
I always make my own cranberry sauce …… looking forward to making a healthier version . Thank you 😊
I like this recipe but we add natural sugar instead of honey or syrup. We also add some orange pieces chopped and some chopped walnuts.
Just made a gorgeous batch of this cranberry sauce in preparation for Thanksgiving. It’s absolutely wonderful, Lisa, and I love how easy it was to make too. I’ve also got your sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie on the to-do list, but for now, delightful cranberry sauce: check!
Oh, wonderful! Sounds like you’re on a roll for Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoy it all!
Made for Thanksgiving. It was a hit. Everyone loved it! Thank you Lisa for another fabulous recipe 🍁
Glad this cranberry sauce was a hit Patrice :)
This was perfect for Thanksgiving! This was my first time making cranberry sauce and it was so easy and tasted great! Thanks!
Absolutely the best! Making this sauce again right now for our TG dinner and am trying not to eat it all :) I LOVE not using refined sugar and the ideas for Jazzing it up are wonderful!
Thank you, Lisa for your recipes! I can’t wait to get your book when it’s out.
I added the zest of the orange I squeezed, half a bag of frozen raspberries, cinnamon, cassia, ground ginger, shake of ground all spice. Can’t taste the spices but they bring a little extra. I hear you can also add the tiniest bit of white pepper
That sounds delicious, Maura!
Can I use monkfruit sugar instead of maple syrup or honey?
Yes, you can use any sweetener you prefer.
So easy to make and so delicious! I am mixing the leftovers with yoghurt for a refreshing desert. Yum
That sounds like a delicious idea! I’ll have to try that sometime.
How long does it keep in the fridge if I want to make it ahead?
Hi Pat – I will normally always write storage instructions written in the post :) But this one will keep in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks! You can also freeze it as well if you make it even more ahead of time.
Color me guilty of using canned cranberries in past years (it was even the jellied cranberries. What can I say, its what I grew up with.) But no more! This recipe is SO simple! I did end up putting in just a splash more maple syrup to help combat the tartness of the cranberries, and they turned out perfect. Goodbye canned jellied cranberries! ;)
Homemade versions are the best! Glad you now think so too Dani :)
First time making Cranberry sauce this year. It was so easy and delicious. Will add it every year from now on. Thank you Lisa you’re so talented.
Wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Melissa!
The best cranberry sauce, definitely better than store bought! I did add the orange zest that is suggested and glad I did, it gives it an extra boost of flavor. Thanks for another great recipe!
Happy to hear you enjoyed this cranberry sauce Belinda!
The cranberry sauce was awesome! I added some ground clove and orange zest. Usually my mom makes it but this year I helped and made this and your mashed potatoes, which were great as well. Thank you for all the simple, quick and delicious recipes :)
Amazing! Happy to hear everyone enjoyed this homemade cranberry sauce Mia :)
Fantastic recipe!
Thanks so much! Glad you loved it.
Awesome recipe! Gets even better after 2 day. Thank you for developing this and sharing with us.
Yes! This definitely gets better over time :)
This is my second year cooking for Thanksgiving, and I made this cranberry sauce both times – such a hit! It’s super easy and quick to make, and it tastes delicious. Thanks Lisa!
Wonderful! Glad everyone enjoyed this cranberry sauce during Thanksgiving :)
Delicious. This will be great on oatmeal too! Thank you for working so hard to bring special food experiences to us.
Hi Mari – I’m happy you loved this cranberry sauce recipe! And yes, the leftovers are great on oatmeal, I did that myself as well. ;)
I am really looking forward to making this for our Thanksgiving dinner today. I just wanted to thank you for revamping our holiday into something much more healthy! I am using three of your recipes today! You are a Godsend. I hope you have a wonderful, peaceful holiday.
Aw, thanks so much Rita! I’m thrilled you love my recipes. :)
Hi Lisa I love your videos and all of your helpful hints
I just purchased a vitamix and you are the best you make everything look so easy.!!!!
Keep them coming!!!!
Hi Fran – you’re so kind! Thanks for your sweet words and I’m thrilled you’re loving my recipes. :)
Wow… This the first time I’ve made cranberry sauce (I’m 55yrs old). This recipe is SO DELICIOUS!!! I use maple syrup instead of honey. I will now make this every years from now on!!!
Thank you Lisa for all of your wonderful recipes!
Ps. I’m also going to make the string bean casserole tomorrow.
So glad you loved this cranberry sauce Marie! And congrats on making your first batch :)
Yummy and I cut the water amount in half as I added Grand Marnier after cooking along with orange zest. This will be the only way I will ever enjoy cranberry sauce!
Glad to hear so Teresa!
I just printed the recipe and ended up with 4 pages of huge step by step photos that used up a lot of my colored printer ink. The ink is very expensive and I hate having to re-purchase it because of giant photos like the ones I just printed. Was it something I didn’t notice in pressing the print button? I have printed some of your recipes before but maybe cut & pasted them.
Hi Joan – When you are about to print, there is a button at the top where you can select whether you want to print the photos or not. If you have questions, on this feel free to email us!
Thank you. I didn’t notice the choice but must have used it before because I have printed some of your recipes before and had no problem. I will look for it.
Would the cranberry sauce keep longer in cupboard or frig. if I HOT WATER BATH in large pot?. THANKS
Hi Pat – after you’ve made it, definitely keep it in the fridge.
How much water do I add?
Hi Melanie – sorry about that, I just fixed it in the recipe card. You’ll add a 1/2 cup of water as well. :)
I love the orange juice & zest you added to this cranberry sauce recipe! It totally brightens it up and tastes better than most cranberry sauces I’ve tried! This is going on our holiday menu for sure!
The orange is a must for a hint of brightness! Hope everyone enjoys this one over Thanksgiving :)
I love how easy this is to make! Definitely not using the canned stuff anymore! Thanks for this recipe!
Of course Chenee! This definitely beats the canned stuffed any day.
Wow didn’t realise craneberry sauce is this easy to make! The pictures of your craneberry sauce look so delicious too.
Thanks so much Genevieve! Hope you enjoy this over Thanksgiving :)
love the addition of toasted nuts to the sauce
Thanks Sadia! There’s so many variations to this one, but I love toasted nuts on top :)
I am already drooling with this awesome presentation. Love the Chunky Pieces of cranberry to this sauce. Yum. Sweet and perfect with every thing.
It’s definitely an essential for the Thanksgiving table!