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November 12, 2013

Simple Cranberry Sauce

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Simple Cranberry Sauce

With just three basic ingredients, this Simple Cranberry Sauce comes together in practically the same amount of time that it takes you to open the canned version!

With just three basic ingredients, this Simple Cranberry Sauce comes together in practically the same amount of time that it takes you to open the canned version!

Don’t get me wrong: my family loves the canned cranberry sauce.  You know the kind I’m talking about, right?  The jelled kind that jiggles out in a big lump and shows the rimming of the can on the ends?  Growing up, my cousin and I practically ate the entire can of this stuff ourselves–and we still devour one between the two of us every year.

But this simple homemade version?  Might be Is my new favorite Thanksgiving side dish.  Well, at least it will be until I post my updated green bean casserole recipe {stay tuned; it’s phenomenal!}…I’m fickle that way.

I’m not usually one for tart dishes, but a pinch of salt in the simmering liquid brought out the sweetness of the berries, and heightened the overall flavor in this simple sauce.  I also added in some orange zest, because orange and cranberries just seem a natural combination to me, but the zest is purely optional.

If you have frozen berries you’d like to use – you don’t need to defrost them ahead of time.  Just add about 2 minutes of simmering time and you’re good to go!

With just three basic ingredients, this Simple Cranberry Sauce comes together in practically the same amount of time that it takes you to open the canned version!

This simple cranberry sauce took about 10 minutes total to make – and it will stay good in the refrigerator for up to one week.  So do yourself a favor and make sure you save this easy side dish a spot on your Thanksgiving table!

Simple Cranberry Sauce
 
Print
Serves: makes 2½ cups
Ingredients
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¾ cup water
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 (12-ounce) bag cranberries, washed and picked through
  • zest of 2 oranges, optional
Method
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring the sugar, water, zest and salt to a boil. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the cranberries and return to boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until slightly thickened and about two-thirds of the berries have popped open. For me, this was about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Transfer sauce to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
Notes
from Cook's Illustrated
3.5.3251

21 Comments

  1. shelley
    shelley on November 12, 2013 at 7:58 am

    it’s always homemade!!!! but no orange…..not an orange fan

    Reply
    • Diana Peterson
      Diana Peterson on November 12, 2013 at 8:48 am

      I add a tsp of cinnamon and substitute orange juice for the water.

      Reply
    • Karen
      Karen on October 6, 2014 at 11:48 am

      Not to sound stupid, but what is zest from an orange? Do you mean orange peeling that is finely shredded?

      Reply
  2. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry
    Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry on November 12, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    That canned stuff can kick the bucket because homemade is the way to go!
    Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry recently posted..Maple Pecan BiscottiMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley
      Ashley on November 12, 2013 at 10:08 pm

      I know! Now that I know how easy (and good) it is, this is going to be my new standard on Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  3. Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
    Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction on November 12, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    I love homemade cranberry sauce! Love how easy this is!
    Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction recently posted..Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls with Honey Butter GlazeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley
      Ashley on November 12, 2013 at 10:07 pm

      Homemade is definitely the way to go. And it is definitely easy (my fave)!

      Reply
  4. shashi @ https://runninsrilankan.com
    shashi @ https://runninsrilankan.com on November 12, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    Your cranberry sauce looks soooo good!
    Gorgeous photos-great sounding recipe!
    shashi @ https://runninsrilankan.com recently posted..Marvelous Little Things…My Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley
      Ashley on November 12, 2013 at 10:05 pm

      Thanks, Shashi! I’ve already made this twice this week – my kiddo won’t stop eating it! 😉

      Reply
  5. Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik
    Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik on November 13, 2013 at 8:10 am

    This sounds so good! I saw another cranberry sauce recipe that I was thinking about but this one looks soooo easy and will definitely be made!
    Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik recently posted..Chocolate Cherry Shortbread CookiesMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen
    Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen on November 13, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    Oh I love Cranberry Sauce! This looks amazing and I love that it’s easy
    Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen recently posted..Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s #43My Profile

    Reply
  7. Diane
    Diane on November 18, 2013 at 10:28 am

    We go through so many cans of cranberry sauce I can’t keep them stocked! No more—now I’ll be cooking it! I never knew it was this easy. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  8. Rebecca
    Rebecca on November 21, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    Hi. So excited, going to try tomorrow….. Can I double the recip? And can this be canned as well?

    Reply
  9. Harriet Fiedler
    Harriet Fiedler on December 3, 2013 at 8:30 am

    I always make the fresh cranberry sauce like my mother made it with the fresh cranberries cooked then for every 12 oz package of fresh cranberries I mix in 1/2 can crushed pineapple drained, 1 small can of mandarin oranges drained, 1/2 of a fresh apple chopped up, i small orange cut up, a fourth to half of the orange peel cut into small pieces and chopped walnuts to your liking. I make this the day before by mixing everything and put it in the refrigerator to cool and mix the flavors together. At serving time I set out a bowl of miniature marshmallows with the cranberry sauce and let everyone add them if the want to. The marshmallows help sweeten the tangy flavor and take some of the tartness away. My family loves this recipe and it always disappears quickly along with the rest of the leftovers from the meal.

    Reply
    • Ashley
      Ashley on December 3, 2013 at 8:06 pm

      Your recipe sounds fabulous, Harriet! I’m definitely trying your version next time. 😉

      Reply
      • Harriet Fiedler
        Harriet Fiedler on December 3, 2013 at 9:57 pm

        I usually make a double portion and will just get an entire bowl full with the marshmallows on top. This will satisfy the sweet tooth cravings and is better than the canned sauce for you.

        Reply

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Filed Under: Holidays, Side Dishes, Sides, Apps and Snacks

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