• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Tasty Oven
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Christmas

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Published: Nov 11, 2019 · Modified: Oct 10, 2024 by Kristina Tipps · This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a small commission.

Jump to Recipe

This is an easy recipe for fresh homemade cranberry sauce with cinnamon and orange. Cranberry sauce is a classic for holiday dinners, just like my air fried roasted sweet potatoes and lamb roast. This recipe is simple to make in only 15 minutes and is so much better than store bought cans of jellied cranberries.

homemade cranberry sauce in a white bowl
Table Of Contents
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • How To Store
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Recipe
  • Recipe Reviews

Cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving dinner staple. This recipe is made with fresh tangy cranberries, fresh oranges and a pinch of cinnamon to take it over the top. It's made quickly and easily on the stovetop but can be made in your Instant Pot. Check out my Instant Pot cranberry sauce here.

Aside from being served with your turkey, mashed potatoes and green beans, you'll find cranberry sauce along with tomato basil bread and mini baked potatoes on our Thanksgiving table. Our appetizer menu always includes a beautiful meat and cheese holiday charcuterie board and authentic Middle Eastern hummus and pita chips.

Ingredients

This cranberry sauce recipe uses only a few simple ingredients:

  • fresh cranberries
  • white sugar
  • orange slice (optional, but recommended!)
  • ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan heat ½ cup of water and ¾ cup of sugar over high heat until the sugar is dissolved. Whisk constantly.
  2. Add the cranberries, turn the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, until most cranberries pop. Stir occasionally, helping to mash them with the back of a wooden spoon.
  3. Remove pan from the heat and transfer to a serving bowl. Squeeze in juice from the 1 orange slice and a pinch of cinnamon if desired. Use a hand masher or immersion blender to mash the sauce as smooth as you'd like it to be. Let cool before serving.
homemade cranberry sauce in a bowl

How To Store

Store in the fridge for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 6 months. For optimal freshness, use frozen cranberry sauce within 2 months. If using in other recipes, it's okay to freeze it for longer than 2 months.

Recipe FAQs

Can I Make Cranberry Sauce Ahead Of Time?

Homemade cranberry sauce can be made up to 10 days ahead of time if kept in the fridge and up to 2 months ahead of time if frozen.

How Can I Thicken My Cranberry Sauce?

To thicken the sauce, bring to a simmer over low heat and boil down until the liquid is reduced to your liking. Stir frequently so that it doesn't burn.

How Can I Thin Out My Cranberry Sauce?

If the sauce is too thick for you, add water in 1 tablespoon increments until your desired thinness is achieved. Make sure to mix well between additions of water. Then taste, and add more sugar or orange zest as necessary.

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!

Recipe

fresh cranberry sauce in a white bowl

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Kristina Tipps
This is an easy recipe for fresh homemade cranberry sauce with cinnamon and orange. Cranberry sauce is a classic for holiday dinners, just like my air fried roasted sweet potatoes and lamb roast. This recipe is simple to make in only 15 minutes and is so much better than store bought cans of jellied cranberries.
4.97 from 32 votes
Bookmark RecipeSaved!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 125 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • masher or immersion blender
  • whisk

Ingredients

  • ½ cup water
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1 slice orange optional
  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon optional

Instructions
 

  • In a large saucepan heat water and sugar over high heat until the sugar is dissolved. Whisk constantly.
  • Add the cranberries, turn the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, until most cranberries pop. Stir occasionally, helping to mash them with the back of a wooden spoon.
  • Remove pan from the heat and transfer to a serving bowl. Squeeze in juice from the orange slice and a pinch of cinnamon if desired. Use a hand masher or immersion blender to mash the sauce as smooth as you'd like it to be. Let cool before serving.

Notes

Storing: Store in the fridge for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 6 months. For optimal freshness, use frozen cranberry sauce within 2 months. If using in other recipes, it's okay to freeze it for longer than 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ozCalories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 54mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 45IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.2mg
Did you try this recipe?Give a shout out to @tastyovenrecipes or tag #tastyovenrecipes!

RELATED RECIPES

  • slow cooker italian meatballs over spaghetti
    Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs
  • slow cooker spaghetti sauce in a crockpot
    Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
  • crockpot mashed cauliflower in a white bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Cauliflower
  • air fryer brussels sprouts with balsamic dressing on a white plate
    Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Parmesan

Recipes To Try Next

  • slow cooker baby potatoes with herbs in a casserole dish
    Slow Cooker Baby Potatoes
  • pressure cooker carrots in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Carrots
  • chocolate covered peanut clusters in a bowl
    Crockpot Peanut Chocolate Clusters
  • slow cooker apple pie filling with ice cream topping
    Best Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling Recipe
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • X

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.97 from 32 votes (28 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Rose Lowrey

    October 09, 2024 at 3:06 pm

    5 stars
    How far ahead can I make this before Thanksgiving and keep in the fridge for?

    Reply
    • Kristina Tipps

      October 10, 2024 at 1:42 pm

      Hi Rose. Great timing! I just updated this recipe to include that information. It can be stored in the fridge for about 10 days before Christmas and 2 months in the freezer. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Joe Reynolds

    November 25, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    I Never cared for cranberry sauce before, but my relatives love it so I decided to make some homemade this year. I followed your simple recipe and added a couple of my own touches I added a shot of Jim Beam Honey to the mixture and let me tell you I became a cranberry sauce fan. I'm 66 years old and never ate it in my life except one time when I was a kid. Your recipe has changed my taste buds or maybe old age did LOL LOL

    Reply
    • Kristina

      November 25, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      That is wonderful to hear! And the addition of Jim Beam honey (which my husband loves) sounds amazing. Enjoy it for many years to come!

      Reply
  3. Kevin

    November 15, 2019 at 1:52 pm

    4 stars
    I had a couple spoonfuls of the cranberries...you know, to give it a fair taste, ha ha! I liked them and would eat them again at any holiday party. I tend to like my cranberries extremely tart and these were more balanced so they would probably appeal to more people.

    Reply
  4. Pam

    November 15, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    5 stars
    We love cranberry sauce. I usually make mine using orange juice and we’re kind of spoiled to that taste. Having said that, I really liked this. It’s more sweet, where mine is more tart. The preparation is simple. Anyone who doesn’t make fresh cranberry sauce needs to try this today!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

profile image

Hello, I'm Kristina! I'm here to show you how to take your favorite recipes and adapt them to all your kitchen appliances!

More about me →

What's New

  • tuna nachos in a white plate
    Spicy Tuna Poke Nachos

  • bread machine sunflower seed bread slided on a cutting board
    Bread Machine Sunflower Seed Bread

  • cheese and bean quesadilla slices in a stack on a plate
    Cheese and Bean Quesadillas

  • slow cooker hamburger soup in a white bowl
    Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

Slow Cooker

  • slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • apples, oranges and whole seasonings for apple cider in a crockpot
    Slow Cooker Apple Cider

  • slow cooker apple pie filling with ice cream topping
    Best Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Instant Pot

  • instant pot pumpkin risotto in a serving dish
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto

  • instant pot pumpkin bread in a bundt pan
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Bread

  • instant pot cauliflower mac and cheese in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

  • instant pot garlic mashed potatoes in a white bowl topped with butter and black pepper
    Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Trending Now

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • air fryer baby potatoes with rosemary and spices in a white bowl
    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

  • mediterranean quesadilla stacked on a plate
    Mediterranean Quesadillas

Footer

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for the latest recipes!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 TastyOven.com, LLC.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Stuck on what to say? Here are some suggestions:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this recipe! We can't wait to make it again.
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. It turned out great!
I made a few modifications, but it still turned out wonderful.

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.