A few years ago I discovered just how easy it is to make homemade cranberry sauce and it’s been on my holiday table ever since. Not only does homemade cranberry sauce taste better, you can control the ingredients. This cranberry sauce is a little tart, If you prefer a really sweet cranberry sauce, you can add a little more sweetener. This recipe is naturally sweetened with fresh orange juice and honey. Once you have a taste of homemade cranberry sauce you will never go back to the canned sauce.
Here is what you will need to make this homemade cranberry sauce: Fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, maple syrup and ginger.
This recipe was originally posted in November, 2016. Pictures and recipe have been tweaked and updated.
Tips for Making Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- The Cranberries. Fresh are the best. If they aren’t available frozen cranberries will work too. If you use fresh cranberries, look for berries that are bright red and not wrinkled.
- The Sweetener. Cranberries are very tart, natural sweetener is a must, skip refined sugar or artificial sweeteners. A combination of honey and fresh orange juice sweeten up this sauce nicely.
- The Juice. Fresh orange juice, water or a combination of the two.
- Cook it. Add the ingredients to a pan and wait for the berries to pop.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Variations
- Add a diced apple or pear to the pan with the cranberries, honey and water, and leave out the orange juice
- Replace the juice or water with a light white or red wine and add some cinnamon and nutmeg
- Add a diced jalapeno pepper for a spicy sauce
- Add any combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, mint, lemon zest, orange zest
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce is so easy to make with only a few simple ingredients!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 16 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups of fresh cranberries
- 1 cup of fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
- 3 to 4 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients into a saucepan
- Cook at medium heat stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes mashing the cranberries as they pop which will thicken the liquid.
- If you like a smooth sauce process it in a food processor
Notes
This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free
Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving recipes
Are you looking for a more holiday sides? Check out these Gingered Sweet Potatoes.or this Lightened Up Green Bean Casserole.
When I saw your sauce, it made me wonder if they sell cranberries where I live. I will have to check. It’s really pretty. I’m sure it tastes great too. Stay warm.
Kathleen you can buy cranberries frozen too.
Orange and honey are the best compliments to cranberry sauce. It looks fantastic and I bet it tastes amazing!
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orange ,honey and cranberries are just the perfect combo. The sauce is easy and vibrant . Saving this recipe for all times.
I am so down for homemade cranberry sauce! The canned stuff is so 1990 😉 Thanks for the great recipe!
Homemade cranberry sauce is just the best! Loving that it is sweetened naturally too! So much flavor! 🙂
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I have never actually made homemade cranberry sauce, but my mom used to make it every Thanksgiving. I would love to try it sometime!
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Orange and ginger are the perfect additions to homemade cranberry sauce! And your pictures are so gorgeous! Makes me want to have Thanksgiving all over again! I guess there’s always Christmas Dinner to look forward to, right?
I love the canned cranberry sauce but this would’ve done the trick for me as well. Who knew cranberry sauce was so easy to make.
Love the fresh flavors in this cranberry recipe! The fresh ginger must be such a great pop of flavor. Your tips for switching things up is also great advice. Definitely going to try and whip this up for next year.
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Yes, Lauren the ginger does add a nice pop of flavor!
Homemade cranberry sauce is the easiest and the most delicious sauce you can make during holiday season. Love the simplicity!
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thank you Ruchi!
Absolutely love that this cranberry sauce is naturally sweetened! This is a very simple recipe which means no excuses for using the canned stuff.
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Thanks Brittany!
Homemade is always best! I never seem to have time to make my own cranberry sauce but I think I’ll be making time this year. This cranberry sauce looks amazing and I bet it tastes great too x
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I hope you do try it Michelle! It really doesn’t take much time.
This cranberry sauce looks and sounds absolutely amazing! I haven’t made my own before, but you make it look so easy. I bet the orange juice and zest really adds to the flavor. 😀
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Thank you Michele, it really is easy to make!