Best Cranberry Sauce

A quintessential Thanksgiving staple, this Homemade Cranberry Sauce is the perfect sweet-tart companion to your Roast Turkey. Made from scratch with just THREE simple ingredients, it’s quick, easy, and can be prepped days ahead; no last-minute stress here.

I honestly can’t imagine a holiday table without this bright and flavorful cooked cranberry sauce, and judging by my inbox, neither can you. You’ve been asking for the ultimate cranberry sauce, and here it is: bold, beautiful, and bursting with festive flavor. You asked, we delivered!

What Makes This Cranberry Sauce Work

What makes this cranberry sauce truly shine is its perfect balance of sweet and tart. The cranberries break down into a luscious, jammy texture as they simmer, creating that classic glossy finish we all love. And because it’s a cooked cranberry sauce, the flavors deepen and meld beautifully with just a touch of sugar and water.

Another reason it works? Flexibility. This homemade cranberry sauce is a blank canvas; you can jazz it up with orange zest, cinnamon, vanilla, or even a splash of wine to make it your own. It’s simple, customizable, and absolutely essential for your holiday spread.

What Goes Into This Cranberry Sauce

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You only need a few simple ingredients to make this vibrant, sweet-tart cranberry sauce; most of which you probably already have on hand. It’s easy, fresh, and so much better than anything from a can.

• Cranberries: Use fresh or frozen cranberries—both work beautifully and break down into a jammy texture as they cook.
• Brown Sugar: Adds rich sweetness and depth of flavor that balances the tartness perfectly.
• Orange Juice: Brightens up the sauce and adds just the right citrusy zing.
• Orange Rind or Lemon Zest (Optional): A fragrant touch that gives your homemade cranberry sauce a lovely citrus twist.

Note: Please see recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with measurements

How To Make Cranberry Sauce

1. Set Aside Some Cranberries: Transfer ½ cup of cranberries to a small bowl and set them aside. These will be stirred in at the end for added texture.

2. Start Cooking the Base: In a saucepan, combine the remaining cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, and zest. Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes.

3. Burst the Cranberries: Increase the heat to medium and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. The cranberries should begin to burst and break down into a thick, jammy sauce.

4. Add Reserved Cranberries: Reduce the heat back to low and stir in the reserved ½ cup of whole cranberries. If the sauce looks too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water to loosen it.

5. Season to Taste: Taste your cranberry sauce and add salt and pepper if needed. These simple seasonings help balance the sweetness and enhance the flavor.

6. Serve or Store: Serve the sauce warm right away or let it cool and refrigerate for later. It keeps beautifully and tastes even better the next day.

This cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with mains like Garlic Herb Prime Rib Roast, Crispy Skin Slow Cooker Turkey, or Tender Pot Roast. The sweet-tart flavor cuts through rich, savory meats perfectly.

However you serve it, this homemade cranberry sauce adds a bright pop of flavor to any holiday spread.