Homemade Cranberry Sauce: Easy Recipe
Homemade cranberry sauce is absolutely delicious! It is so much better than store bought and is so simple to make. You may be surprised to learn that you can make your own cranberry sauce in a matter of minutes—it is that incredibly easy!
Key Takeaways
- Making homemade cranberry sauce is quick and easy.
- You only need a few ingredients to make a delicious sauce.
- With some helpful tips and ideas, you can make your cranberry sauce even more delicious.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce in Minutes
This simple recipe will help you make a tasty homemade whole berry sauce that might change the mind of anyone who dislikes cranberries.
Cranberry sauce is a perfect side dish for holiday meals. It adds a festive feel and can be prepared in advance. Here are some reasons to include cranberry sauce in your holiday meal:
Why to Add Cranberry Sauce to Your Holiday Meal:
- Cranberry sauce is easy to make
- Cranberries have fiber and antioxidants
- Simple time-saving steps
- The easiest whole berries recipe

1. Cranberry Sauce is Easy to Make
Making homemade whole berry cranberry sauce is easy and requires just a few ingredients. Canned cranberry sauce often has high fructose corn syrup and other additives.
This recipe uses organic cane sugar and organic berries.
To prepare the sauce, simmer the cranberries with cane sugar, water, and optional orange juice until they soften, then let them cool. It’s that simple! The recipe takes about 15 minutes to make.
For a healthier option, you can use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar.
For a Complete Overview of a Traditional Thanksgiving Menu…..look no further!

2. Cranberries have Fiber and Antioxidants
Cranberries are full of fiber and antioxidants, which makes them a great choice for your holiday meal. They are low in calories and fat, making them a good option for those who want to watch their weight.
This simple recipe takes only a few minutes to make, so you can enjoy the health benefits of cranberries without spending a lot of time cooking.
Learn more about the nutritional value of cranberries.
3. Simple Time Saving Steps
Cranberry sauce is a must-have for holidays and can be made ahead of time. This easy recipe can be prepared up to a week in advance.
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you need it. Making this sauce is a simple task that will save you time on Thanksgiving and is also great for Christmas or any special celebration!

4. The Easiest Whole Berries Recipe
To make cranberry sauce, rinse fresh or frozen cranberries in water. Sort through them and throw away any that are damaged or soft. Place one 12-ounce bag of cranberries, or about 2 cups, into a 4-quart saucepan.
Add one cup of sugar and one cup of water to the saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. You will hear the cranberry skins pop as they cook.
Take the sauce off the heat and let it cool completely. Store it in a glass jar or container.
That’s it! You now have an easy recipe that’s perfect for your holiday feast. Serve in a pretty glass dish for a sparkling accent on your festive holiday table!
Optional Ingredients and Substitutions:
- You can replace 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of maple syrup and 1/2 cup of water.
- You can also replace half of the water with orange juice and add 1 tablespoon of orange zest.
Just follow the cooking instructions in the recipe.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce is absolutely delicious and so easy to make ♥
Ingredients
- 2 cups of Fresh Cranberries (approximately a 12 oz bag of fresh cranberries)
- 1 cup of cane sugar
- 1 cup of water
- Optional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup honey or 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- Orange Juice
Instructions
- To make this cranberry sauce, start by rinsing your fresh or frozen cranberries in clear water.
- Make sure to sort and toss out any berries that are damaged or that have blemishes or soft spots.
- Add the berries to a 4 quart sauce pan.
- Add one cup of cane sugar* and one cup of water to the saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- The cranberry skin will start to pop or crack as they simmer.
- You can actually hear them pop!
- Remove the cranberry sauce from the heat and cool.
- Cool until chilled and serve in a glass serving dish.
- Store in a glass jar or glass container.
Substitutions:
*Substitute 1/2 cup of maple syrup and 1/2 water can be replaced for the sugar and water
-or-
*Substitute 1/2 cup of maple syrup and 1/2 water can be replaced for the sugar and water
You may also like an orange flavor in your cranberry sauce. if so, replace one half of water with orange juice and add 1 tablespoon of orange zest
Notes
In conclusion, making your own homemade cranberry sauce is not only easy, but also much healthier than store-bought versions.
Not to mention, it tastes amazing! So, next time you're looking for a tasty, holiday side dish, give this homemade recipe a try.
Your family and guests will be impressed!
Nutrition Information
Yield
18Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 107Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 2mgCarbohydrates 28gFiber 1gSugar 26gProtein 0g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate due to variations of ingredients used in recipe. Did you make this recipe?
Easy, Simple and Made in Minutes
In conclusion, making your own cranberry sauce is easy and healthier than store-bought options.
Plus, it tastes great! So, the next time you need a delicious holiday side dish, try this homemade recipe.
Your family and guests will love it!
Homemade Cranberry Sauce is gluten free and perfect for the vegetarian and vegan diets.
More Ideas for Lovers of Real Food Holiday Recipes
- The Perfect Pumpkin Pie Recipe: Made from Scratch
- HOW to MAKE HOMEMADE GRAVY | Works with Einkorn Flour, too!
- HOMEMADE PIE CRUST RECIPE | Bake Like a Pro
- Pie Crust Cinnamon Pinwheels | A Rich Pastry Cookie
- The Best Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Recipe with Einkorn Flour
- EASY PUMPKIN BREAD RECIPE: Sure To Be A Family Favorite
Frequently Asked Questions
is This a Quick homemade cranberry sauce recipe?
This cranberry sauce recipe is quick and fun to make!
- Rinse the cranberries and put them in a saucepan.
- Add sugar and water.
- Bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cool and chill.
What are some recipes that use whole berry cranberry sauce?
Whole berry cranberry sauce can be used in many recipes. You can add it as a topping for turkey or chicken, pancakes, or yogurt. It also works well in baked goods like muffins and bread.
Here are some recipe ideas:
- Cranberry Sauce Oat Bars
- Cranberry Sauce Glazed Chicken
- Cranberry Sauce muffins
- Cranberry Sauce Yogurt Parfait
How does whole berry cranberry sauce compare to jellied cranberry sauce?
Whole berry cranberry sauce uses whole cranberries, making it chunky and flavorful. Jellied cranberry sauce is made from cranberry juice and sugar, resulting in a smooth and sweeter taste. Whole berry sauce is healthier because it has more fiber and nutrients than jellied sauce. Whole berry cranberry sauce is tasty, but you might also want to try jellied cranberry sauce to taste the difference!
What are the health benefits of whole berry cranberry sauce?
Whole berry cranberry sauce is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
What are the ingredients in Ocean Spray whole berry cranberry sauce?
Ocean Spray whole berry cranberry sauce contains cranberries, high fructose corn syrup, water, and corn syrup.
Can you make homemade whole berry cranberry sauce without added sugar?
You can make cranberry sauce at home without added sugar. Just use honey, maple syrup, or stevia instead of sugar. You can also add orange zest or cinnamon for more flavor.
How do you thicken homemade cranberry sauce?
Homemade cranberry sauce must simmer first and then as the cranberry cools and is chills, it thicken naturally.
Extra Helps, Tips and Ideas
Making homemade whole berry cranberry sauce is a fun and simple way to add a tasty side dish to your holiday meals. Here are some tips to make the process easier:
- Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor and texture.
- Try different sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar to find your favorite sweetness.
- Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to your cranberry sauce for extra flavor.
- For a zesty touch, mix in some orange or lemon zest.
- If you want a smoother sauce, blend it with an immersion blender or food processor after cooking.
- You can use leftover cranberry sauce in many ways, like on yogurt or oatmeal, as a glaze for meats, or as a filling in muffins or turnovers.
- Keep leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for longer storage.
- If you’re busy, canned cranberry sauce is a quick option. Just check the label to avoid added sugars or high fructose corn syrup.
Final Thoughts:
Homemade is special…..and, this Fresh Cranberry Sause is so easy to make and will look beautiful on your Holiday Table. I hope your will give this easy cranberry sauce recipe a try♥

