Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Print View)
A vibrant, tangy-sweet condiment perfect for holiday feasts, with options for whole berry or smooth, jellied style.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruit
01 - 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
→ Sweetener
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
→ Liquid
03 - 1 cup water or orange juice
→ Flavorings
04 - 1/2 tsp orange zest
05 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - Pinch of salt
# Method:
01 - Rinse cranberries thoroughly and discard any soft or damaged berries.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, and water or orange juice. Add orange zest, cinnamon, and salt if using.
03 - Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most berries have burst and sauce has thickened.
05 - Remove from heat, let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until set.
06 - Let cool slightly, then press mixture through fine mesh strainer to remove skins and seeds. Pour strained sauce into bowl or mold and refrigerate until firm, about 2-3 hours.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The balance of tart and sweet hits differently when you control every ingredient
- Your house will smell like holidays in under twenty minutes
02 -
- The sauce thickens considerably as it cools, so do not worry if it looks thin in the pan
- Cranberries naturally contain pectin, so no additional thickeners are needed
03 -
- If you prefer things on the tarter side, reduce the sugar to three quarters of a cup
- A cinnamon stick simmered in the sauce adds restaurant level flavor