Homemade Easy Cranberry Sauce
Skip the can this year! This incredibly easy homemade cranberry sauce recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and comes together in minutes. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any seasonal gathering, it's bursting with fresh, tart-sweet flavor.

1Ingredients
- 12 ozFresh Cranberries
- 1 cupGranulated Sugar
- 1 cupWater
- 1 tspOrange Zest (optional)
2Instructions
- 1
In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, and water. If using, add the orange zest for an extra layer of flavor.
⏱ 1 min - 2
Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar has fully dissolved.
⏱ 3 min - 3
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally during this time. The cranberries will begin to burst, and the sauce will thicken as it cooks.
⏱ 9 min - 4
Remove the saucepan from the heat. The sauce will continue to thicken significantly as it cools.
0 - 5
Allow the cranberry sauce to cool completely at room temperature before transferring it to a serving bowl or airtight container. Refrigerate until ready to serve. This sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance.
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