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Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Homemade cranberry sauce simmers fresh cranberries with sugar, water, salt, and orange zest until the berries burst and the sauce thickens. Chill it ahead for a bright, tangy side with a soft, jammy texture.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Cooling and chilling 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 47 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 94
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz cranberries fresh
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 0.125 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp orange zest finely grated

Equipment

  • 1 2-quart saucepan

Method
 

  1. Rinse the cranberries and discard any that are soft or damaged.
  2. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and salt; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Add the cranberries and orange zest.
  4. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the berries have burst and the sauce has thickened.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat and let the sauce cool for 30 minutes.
  6. Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Stir occasionally as the cranberries simmer and allow the sauce to chill fully so it thickens. Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 5 days; it freezes well for up to 2 months. This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegan, so no dietary swap is needed.