Name: Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar (or 3/4 cup honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar, plus more to taste); 3/4 cup water, preferably filtered; 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

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If you’re like me, cranberry sauce is a holiday staple that you want to get just right without fuss. This Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe is exactly what you need—a fuss-free, flavorful sauce that’s bright, tangy, and just sweet enough. I promise, once you try this, you’ll never reach for the canned stuff again. Plus, it’s quick enough to whip up last minute if Thanksgiving guests show up early or if you just want to brighten up a weekday dinner.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Uses just cranberries, water, and your choice of sweetener, keeping it straightforward and customizable.
Flexible Sweetening Options: Whether you prefer granulated sugar, honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar, it delivers perfectly balanced sweetness.
Quick & Easy: Takes about 20 minutes, so you can have fresh cranberry sauce without any long waits or complicated steps.
Versatile Flavors: The basic recipe is a canvas for seasonal twists like orange zest or cinnamon, letting you personalize it easily.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce, easy cranberry sauce, holiday cranberry sauce, quick cranberry condiment, fresh cranberry sauce - A close view of a blue pot filled with thick, chunky dark red sauce with visible whole cranberries and small bits of fruit, showing a textured surface. A silver spoon is resting inside the pot, partially submerged in the sauce. The pot sits on a light gray cloth with fresh whole red cranberries scattered around on a white marbled surface. The inside rim of the pot has red sauce stains. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe is in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a key role to bring the perfect balance of tart and sweet, with options to tailor it to your taste or what you have on hand.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce, easy cranberry sauce, holiday cranberry sauce, quick cranberry condiment, fresh cranberry sauce - Flat lay of a handful of fresh, plump red cranberries, a few wide strips of bright yellow lemon zest, two cinnamon sticks with a rich brown texture, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear water, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden maple syrup, and a small pile of sparkling white granulated sugar, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cranberries: Fresh or frozen works just fine. They’re naturally tart and bursting with flavor that forms the base of the sauce.
Granulated sugar or alternative sweeteners: Sweetness is key to balance cranberries’ tang, and you can pick sugar, honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar depending on your preference.
Water: Adds just enough liquid to dissolve the sweetener and cook the cranberries evenly.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how this Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe adapts to whatever mood I’m in. Some days, I like it super classic and simple. Other times, I spice it up with orange zest or even a cinnamon stick. Play around with the sweetness level and flavors until it feels just right for you.

Cranberry Orange Sauce: Adding orange zest and juice gives a lovely citrus brightness—I tried this last Christmas and it instantly made the sauce feel festive and fresh.
Use Different Sweeteners: Swap sugar for honey or maple syrup to add depth and a touch of earthiness—great if you want something less sugary.
Spicy Twist: Toss in a cinnamon stick or a pinch of ground ginger for warmth, especially nice in colder months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Rinse and Inspect Your Cranberries

The first thing I do is rinse the cranberries in a bowl of water. Any lemons—aka bad berries—usually float to the top and can be easily skimmed off. This little trick saves you from bitter bites. I also pick out any shriveled or discolored berries to keep the sauce fresh and vibrant.

Step 2: Melt Sweetener in Water

In a large saucepan, add your choice of sugar or liquid sweetener and water. If you’re using granulated sugar, dissolve it over medium heat while stirring gently. With honey or maple syrup, you can add everything at once and bring it to a boil together—makes things easier!

Step 3: Cook the Cranberries

Once your sweetener is melted and the mixture is hot, add the cranberries. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered. This is my favorite part—the cranberries start to pop and the sauce thickens beautifully. Stir occasionally and watch closely for about 12-15 minutes.

Step 4: Sweeten and Cool

Taste the sauce and add more sweetener if you want it sweeter. Then take it off the heat and let it cool to room temperature to thicken further before serving. Trust me, waiting is worth it!

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Watch the Simmer: Keep the heat moderate so the cranberries burst gently and don’t burn or stick to the pan.
Taste Often: Cranberries vary in tartness so adjust sweetener bit by bit to hit your perfect balance.
Add Zest Early: If you’re adding citrus zest or cinnamon, toss it in at the start so flavors infuse fully.
Cool Before Serving: It sets better and the flavors mellow when the sauce cools to room temperature or chilled.

How to Serve Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Homemade Cranberry Sauce, easy cranberry sauce, holiday cranberry sauce, quick cranberry condiment, fresh cranberry sauce - A white bowl filled with thick, chunky, deep red cranberry sauce showing whole and partially crushed cranberries, with a shiny, slightly wet texture. The bowl sits on a light gray cloth with a few loose cranberries scattered around it on a white marbled surface. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, partially dipped into the cranberry sauce. The scene is close up, highlighting the rich red color and texture contrast between the cranberries and the smooth white bowl photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping the sauce with a few fresh cranberries or a sprinkle of orange zest right before serving—it adds a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, a little chopped mint or rosemary gives an unexpected herbal note that I’m crazy about.

Side Dishes

This cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with roast turkey, obviously, but I also like it alongside pork chops, grilled chicken, or even spread on toast with cream cheese for a snack. It’s surprisingly versatile and can brighten up many meals.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I sometimes spoon this sauce into a pretty glass jar or tiny mason jars as individual servings. It’s charming on a buffet table and makes clean-up easier. Another fun idea is to swirl it atop whipped ricotta or yogurt for an elegant appetizer dip.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftover cranberry sauce into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It keeps well for up to a week—just give it a quick stir before serving to freshen up the texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen cranberry sauce a couple of times when I made extra, and it freezes beautifully. Just seal it in a freezer-safe container and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or serving cold.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the sauce gently on the stove or microwave it in short bursts, stirring occasionally so it heats evenly and doesn’t stick or scorch.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for this Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh ones. Just make sure to rinse and check them as you would fresh cranberries before cooking. They might take a minute longer to burst during cooking.
How long does homemade cranberry sauce last?

If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this cranberry sauce lasts for up to 1 week. Make sure it’s fully cooled before sealing and refrigerating.
Can I make this cranberry sauce without added sugar?

You can try using naturally sweet sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and adjusting the amount to suit your taste. Keep in mind that cranberries are quite tart, so some sweetness helps balance the flavor.
Is it okay if the sauce is a bit runny?

Yes! The sauce will thicken further as it cools. If you want it thicker immediately, simmer it a bit longer, but be careful not to overcook and dry it out.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe has become my go-to for every holiday and many weeknight meals. It’s uncomplicated, adaptable, and delivers the comforting sweet-tart punch that cranberry sauce should. I hope you’ll find it as reliable and delicious as I do—it might just become your new tradition too. Give it a try and savor fresh cranberry flavor that you made yourself!