Homemade cranberry sauce made with notes of sweet brown sugar and zesty orange. Why buy canned when you can make this deliciously sweet, and tangy holiday favorite in the comfort of your home?!
Need Some Serving Suggestions?
The possibilities are endless! Get creative and enjoy the versatility of this Homemade Cranberry Sauce in a variety of dishes and meals.
- Thanksgiving Feast: Serve the cranberry sauce as a delightful accompaniment to your traditional Thanksgiving turkey. Its sweet and tangy flavors will complement the savory turkey perfectly.
- Christmas Dinner: Spread some holiday cheer by pairing the cranberry sauce with your Christmas turkey or roast. The vibrant colors and flavors will add a festive touch to your dinner table.
- Brunch Delight: Use the cranberry sauce as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast. The fruity flavors will brighten up your morning meal.
- Charcuterie Board: Add a dollop of the cranberry sauce to your charcuterie board for a burst of flavor that pairs wonderfully with cheeses and cured meats.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Elevate your sandwiches and wraps by adding a layer of cranberry sauce. It’s especially delicious with leftover Thanksgiving turkey or roasted chicken.
Key Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries: Washed and dried before using in the recipe. They are the main ingredient and provide the tart and fruity flavor that makes cranberry sauce special.
- White Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the sauce and balances the tartness of the cranberries.
- Brown Sugar: Adds depth of flavor and a slight caramel note to the cranberry sauce.
- Orange Juice: Enhances the cranberry flavor with a citrusy brightness, providing a tangy and fresh taste to the sauce.
- Vanilla Paste: Infuses the sauce with a subtle, sweet vanilla aroma that complements the cranberries and adds a touch of richness.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cranberry sauce and helps to balance the sweetness.
- Cinnamon: Adds warm and comforting spice notes, enhancing the flavor profile of the sauce.
- Nutmeg: Provides a hint of earthy and nutty flavor, complementing the cranberries and spices.
- Cinnamon Sticks (optional): If used, they can be added while cooking the sauce to infuse it with more cinnamon flavor and can also serve as a decorative element.
How Long Does Homemade Cranberry Sauce Last?
I know you wish you could have all that delicious homemade cranberry perfection bottled up forever, but all good things must come to an end. However, homemade cranberry sauce stays fresh for 2 weeks when refrigerated and a maximum of 2 months when frozen.
Why Is My Cranberry Sauce Bitter?
It’s life! Things don’t always go exactly how we plan. Your cranberry can decide to go rogue by maintaining its acidic tart, therefore giving your sauce a bitter taste that causes your tongue to almost crawl inside your mouth.
Do not fret; here’s a quick fix:
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or simple syrup
- 1 teaspoon of orange or apple juice.
- sprinkle a pinch of salt in the mixture and stir.
Keep adding these until the tart disappears.
Can Homemade Cranberry Sauce Be Frozen?
Of course, homemade cranberry sauce freezes perfectly; it will keep for about 2 months. After your cranberry sauce has cooled, store it in a plastic freezer-friendly container or freezer bag, fill it up with your cranberry sauce, and seal it tightly. Let your freezer take it from there.
How To Thicken Homemade Cranberry Sauce?
I have to go all food ‘sciency’ on this one. There’s a natural polysaccharide present in the walls of cranberries called pectin. Pectin is a gelling agent, which means it is responsible for your cranberry sauce’s lightness or thickness.
To get the full effect of pectin in your sauce, you have to cook your cranberries until they explode! When they explode, they bond with the sugar; this is what makes your sauce thicken. Just keep boiling! Let the sauce boil until it becomes thick.
How To Store Cranberry Sauce Made From Scratch?
It’s Thanksgiving night; you finally catch a break. You step into the kitchen, begin to wrap up the leftover turkey, and then ooooohhh! There’s some cranberry sauce left. What to do?
To store for a short period: Use a mason jar or airtight plastic container and store it in your refrigerator.
For a more extended period: Use a freezer-safe bag or plastic container, pour your cranberry sauce in and store it in your freezer. Make sure the bag or container is airtight.
More Recipe Ideas
- Cranberry BBQ Turkey Pizza
- Home-Style Turkey Dressing
- Easy Mango Habanero Hot Sauce
- Homemade Pesto Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 12 oz bags fresh cranberries, washed and dried
- ⅔ cup white granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups orange juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla paste
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cinnamon sticks optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium pot on medium heat and stir all ingredients together. The cranberries should pop in like 5 min.
- Then reduce the heat to low and let simmer for another 5-7 minutes more, stir occasionally. Use the back of a wooden spoon to mash half the cranberries. Let cool and serve.
Nutrition
Equipment
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
**The equipment section above contains affiliate links to products I use and love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
