Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Printable Format)
Tangy-sweet sauce bursting with fresh berries, ready in 20 minutes for festive gatherings.
# What You Need:
→ Fruit
01 - 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
→ Sweetener
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
→ Liquid
03 - 1 cup water or orange juice
→ Flavorings
04 - 1/2 tsp orange zest
05 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
06 - Pinch of salt
# How-To Steps:
01 - Rinse the cranberries thoroughly and discard any soft or damaged berries.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and water or orange juice. Add orange zest, cinnamon, and salt if using.
03 - Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most berries have burst and the sauce has thickened.
05 - For whole berry sauce: Remove from heat, let cool, and refrigerate until set. For jellied sauce: Let cool slightly, then press through a fine mesh strainer to remove skins and seeds. Pour into a bowl or mold and refrigerate until firm, about 2-3 hours.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in just 20 minutes but tastes like you spent all day on it
- The sound of cranberries popping is strangely satisfying and guaranteed to make you smile
- You control the texture and sweetness unlike anything from a can
02 -
- The sauce will seem too liquid at first but it thickens beautifully as it cools
- Don't walk away during the last few minutes of simmering as it can go from perfect to burnt quickly
03 -
- If reducing sugar for a tarter sauce, add a tablespoon of honey to balance the flavors
- Use a potato masher if you want some smashed berries but not completely smooth