Look no further for the Best Ever Cranberry Sauce! This easy and delightful recipe takes only 15 minutes to make and a handful of ingredients! Spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with orange juice, it is the best combination of sweet and tart! The perfect complement to your holiday meal! Getting ready for Thanksgiving? Make sure to checkout the Best Turkey Gravy Recipe and this ridiculously easy Slow Cooker Citrus and Herb Turkey Breast for the best Thanksgiving yet!
Cranberry Sauce
Thanksgiving is almost here and I am running around like a crazy person making sure everything is ready to go! The turkey, the gravy, the potatoes, it’s all part of the “perfect” Thanksgiving meal.
One recipe that I feel often gets overlooked is the cranberry sauce. So many people go for the canned stuff, and while it’s great in a pinch, it doesn’t even come close to comparing to homemade.
This particular cranberry sauce recipe that I’m sharing with you today is fool-proof. It takes about 15 minutes, start to finish, and is the perfect combination of sweet and tart. It’s flavored with orange juice, orange peel and a cinnamon stick. So easy you guys!
I made this exact cranberry sauce for the these Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites that I shared with you last week and then realized… whoah! I’ve never even posted this recipe on it’s own and trust me, this Best Ever Cranberry Sauce deserves it’s own post!
Cranberry Sauce for the Holidays
Cranberry sauce is an essential part of every holiday meal for one simple reason – it cuts through the heaviness of all the other dishes. It’s light, it’s bright, and it’s actually pretty darn healthy. I add orange and cinnamon to my cranberry sauce which really gives it more depth of flavor and sweetens it just slightly. It’s still lovely and tart but not quite so tart that you’ll be puckering your lips.
What Do I Need To Make Cranberry Sauce?
This easy cranberry sauce recipe uses just a handful of real, whole ingredients:
- cranberries
- oranges
- cinnamon
- sugar
- and just a pinch of salt
Cranberry sauce is the perfect way to cut through the heaviness of a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and it adds a gorgeous pop of color and flavor to every bite. I hope you give this super easy recipe a try this holiday season!
Can Cranberry Sauce Be Make In Advance?
You betcha! In fact, this is my number one make-ahead recipe. It is served chilled so you need to make it at least one day in advance anyways. I find that the flavor is even better after two or three days so if you time beforehand, I would recommend just getting this recipe out of the way at the beginning of the week. One more note: you might want to double the recipe. I LOVE cranberry sauce in leftover turkey sandwiches the next day…and the next day…and the next day 🙂
Making Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? Don’t forget these favorites:
- The Best Turkey Gravy Recipe
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Best Ever Broccoli Salad
- Slow Cooker Citrus and Herb Turkey Breast
How To Make Cranberry Sauce
Best Ever Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup water
- 12 oz fresh cranberries rinsed and picked through
- pinch of salt
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 piece of orange peel just use a potato peel or paring knife
Instructions
- Combine sugar, orange juice, and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
- Add cranberries, salt, cinnamon stick and orange peel.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- Continue cooking, for about 10 minutes, or until all or most of the cranberries have popped. I like to leave a handful of berries whole.
- Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Can be made up to 3 days in advance.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published November 22, 2016.
More cranberry recipes:
Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls
White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake
For all appetizer recipes, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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Amanda C says
Hi, I am trying to stay away from sugar. Can I use stevia or splenda instead? If so how much?
Thank you
Amanda
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I haven’t tried that before Amanda but I can’t think of any reason this wouldn’t work. Definitely give it a go!
Terri says
I forgot to buy orange juice, can I use orange extract! Anxious to make your recipe! Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hmmm, I think that would be fine but you need the liquid from the orange juice so you would need to add water to replace it. But that would mean you don’t have the orange peel either which adds a lot of flavor… Worth a shot though!
kristen Limper says
I dont have cinnamon sticks can I use powdered cinnamon? how much?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That will work, just 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon should do it.
Rachelle says
I love Cranberry sauce. I put in Brandy or Grand Marnier, just enough to add a little sparkle to the sauce. DELICIOUS . I have cranberry butter year round to delicious on toasted bagel with a little bit of Cream Cheese. Yummy.I have so many of them, I’m running out of space, lol, I Iove to cook and bake.
Thank You for the delicious recipes.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Always a good idea! And cranberry butter is AMAZING! Love it!
Dora M. Ukra says
This truly is the best recipe for Homemade cranberry sauce. I have tried many versions and this is still my favorite. I come back to it every time. So simple and easy, with the best flavor.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I appreciate this SO much Dora! Thank you!
Sue Murray says
It doesn’t get any easier. I used a half cup instead of 3/4 and it was sweet enough for my taste.
Carolyn says
This is similar to the recipe l’ve used for yrs, never thought about adding a cinnamon sticks. I make cranberry sauce & butter all year, we usually buy/freeze 10-15 bags of cranberries every fall. I always add a 1/2 tea of balsimic vinegar & a vanilla once cranberry sauce is finished cooking.
Shan says
Thank you so much for the recipe! I have loved cranberry sauce my whole life and have only ever had the can. This puts that to shame, obviously. I was especially impressed when my two-year old nephew who had only had it from the can LOVED this and my father-in-law who never eats cranberry sauce had two servings this Christmas! This will become a family tradition for us that I will bring as an offering every year. Thanks so much, again!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This makes me SO happy Shan, thank you!
Ursula says
I made this two days ago in prep for our Christmas dinner, did a double batch. I had to change one ingredient out of necessity and used granulated maple sugar instead of white sugar. We had it with our meal today. Gave it a lovely depth of flavour which it may have had in the original recipe, don’t know, but the maple worked wonderfully. Thank you for a great and easy recipe.
Lily says
I used brown sugar but less of it and fresh squeezed orange juice. No zest. I also boiled the cinnamon stick and 5 whole cloves. My family loves this recipe.
Marie says
This is the. Best cranberry sauce. Devine😋
Michelle says
Made fresh cranberry sauce for the first time in our family as no one really likes it and we normally just have can, thought I would see if I could get them to eat the fresh version. I made this and it was completely gone everyone loved it.
Debbie says
Came across this recipe for cranberry sauce shortly before Thanksgiving 2019. Gave it a try and my guests loved it. Thanks for sharing. This is a recipe I’ll keep.
Lisa Ciancarelli says
Hi Trish – made your cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving this year, and it was a hit! I had some pomegranate on hand, so I included that along with your other ingredients, and it was wonderful. Thanks for sharing!!
Molly says
This sauce was a HIT! I wanted to save some to make cranberry mayo for my leftover turkey sandwiches, but I couldn’t because there was none left 🙂 I know now I will need to double (or triple lol!) the recipe next year!
Thanks for an unforgettable recipe, Trish!
KT says
Made this last year and my in-laws have been raving about It since! So excited to make it again!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much!
Lisa says
Simple & delicious! Now I just need to stop eating it so we still have some for Thanksgiving!
Mary says
Can you use frozen cranberries?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sure can Mary!
Angel says
Made this for Thanksgiving and I am already being asked to make a new batch! My family loves it! Thank you so much
Val says
Do you use store bought orange juice or freshly squeezed from your kitchen orange juice? This looks amazing can’t wait to try it this year!!
Fran says
Delicious. I just made this in advance for Thanksgiving. I used fresh squeezed OJ. Yummy.
sunshine says
this is a good basic recipe to go to!
i changed it up a bit and used all orange juice instead of oj and water.
added teaspoon of cinnamon and the zest of two oranges. then i cut up the oranges and put them
in there too!
it tastes great!
Liesl says
This is SO good! Plus it’s really easy.
I used 1/2c sugar, 1/4c coconut sugar because I ran out of of regular. I’ll definitely be making this recipe again. I may have just licked the pan…
Whitney says
I made this with water only, cinnamon and agave. They came out amazingly. Tasted so good on the turkey and paleo stuffing 😉
Anne says
The absolute BEST cranberry sauce I’ve ever had. I usually don’t like chunky cranberry sauce. As a girl who grew up in the 70s I tend to just like the canned cranberry jelly, but this is AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!!!
Kayleigh Martin says
Hiya
How many oranges do you generally need for 1/2 cup of juice? Definitely going to give this a try!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I would say have 3 on hand!
Christy S says
Can I use frozen cranberries? If so, how would that alter the recipe?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you can and it will just take a bit longer for it to come to a simmer.
Mary Elftman says
Planning on trying this recipe for Thanksgiving and wanted to know if I should remove the orange peel before serving?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s entirely up to you. It’s not meant to be eaten though.
Gina says
Do you think this is something I can freeze, if I make it a week in advance?
I’ve made this the last 2 holidays and it’s fabulous!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I think so Gina! I don’t see why not. Just give it a good 24 hours to defrost in the fridge. Enjoy!
Laura says
Can you add more sugar. If so how much.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sure! You could add up to 1/3 cup more with no problems at all. Enjoy!
Maggie says
Can this cranberry sauce be frozen? Have you tried it?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I don’t see why not. Just give it a good 24 hours to defrost in the fridge. Enjoy!
Emily says
This looks delicious! I haven’t made this particular recipe yet, but I’m hoping to get some fresh cranberries in WI this year for the sauce. Here’s my question – have you ever tried using a little ginger as well? I use it often in my fall recipes (apple jam/ apple pie, pumpkin pie, etc) and I find it adds another flavor dimension to fruit recipes. I’m not sure if it would do that in this sauce though; just thought I would ask before I try it!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I think that’s a great idea Emily, especially if you like ginger. I wouldn’t go too overboard, maybe a half teaspoon or so.
Cinthia says
I love this sauce with the citrus herb turkey and gravy recipes! Always our go to on the holidays.
Thanks for sharing!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Cinthia!
Jill says
Love this recipe!! It uses ingredients I almost always have on hand and it comes together so quickly and easily. We just finished up our oranges so I had to skip the orange peel, but an extra splash of orange juice more than made up for it.
This will be our new go to recipe for cranberry sauce.
Layne says
I can’t wait to try this recipe – we love cranberry sauce!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I know you’re going to love it!
Christy Denney says
I’ve been searching for the best cranberry sauce and this is it.
Kristen says
This truly is the best cranberry sauce recipe I’ve tried! Thanks so much for sharing!
Mandy @ South Your Mouth says
I made this last Thanksgiving and my whole family fell in love! I never knew homemade cranberry sauce was SO EASY to make! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
kim holdbrook says
Best cranberry sauce ever! Have been making it for years, never thought to add a cinnamon stick! Brings it to a new level, will never go back. Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Kim!
Blythe says
Can the cinnamon stick be substituted for some ground cinnamon if you haven’t a stick on hand? If so, how much of it ground would you say to use? Thanks! I made it last year and it was amazing, loved it! This year I forgot to get cinnamon sticks though
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes, in a pinch! Let’s say 1/2 tsp.
Michelle says
After seeing how easy this was and so darn tasty, I am confused as to why I haven’t been doing it for years!!! Thanks for sharing
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I’m so glad you gave it a try!
Kieran Jukes says
Tastes amazing. I’m using it to make bacon, Brie and cranberry puff pastry tarts. I’m going to add 60ml of port to the next batch.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Delicious!
Mariam says
Can this be frozen?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Absolutely! Just let it defrost in the fridge.
April says
this came out great, thanks so much for the recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You’re so welcome!
Laura Atkinson says
I’m excited to make this for Christmas. I wonder if I can make ahead and freeze?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You sure can!
Jessica S says
Loved it!
Karl says
I presume that you can use frozen cranberries
Graziella Costanzo says
I’ve made this for years, only I add a tablespoon (more or less) of Grand Marnier or Cointreau. Delish and easy recipe, thx for reminding me! Only problem, I live in Italy now and don’t have access to fresh cranberries, oh well!
Gabi says
This was such a hit on thanksgiving, I had to make more to have with the leftovers!
April says
I have never made homemade Cranberry Sauce, now I’m Addicted!! I had to make 4 batches because it was so good. Used the leftovers to make some thumbprint cookies and cranberry bars. This will be my new favorite Thanksgiving recipe. Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
MMmmm! Love the idea of using it with thumbprint cookies!
Stefanie says
I made this last year for Christmas dinner I hosted for the family. Everyone went crazy over this sauce!! They are asking me if I’m making it again this year, thank you for sharing the recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Stefanie!
Cheri Reed says
Your Best Cranberry Sauce Ever was awesome and sooooooo yummy! The cinnamon stick and orange peel added a hint of both flavors. My family( 20 of them) loved it for Thanksgiving Dinner. It will definitely be a keeper!
Thank you so much for this delightful recipe that I plan to make over, and over, and over, etc!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So happy to hear that Cheri!
Susan says
I will be making this again next year! Only a couple of us in my family love cranberry sauce, which is ok with me because that’s just more for me! Ha! I LOVE the tartness and how easy this is to make! Thank you!! It didn’t last long!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Susan!
Mary says
My family said this was the best cranberry sauce they have ever had. Thank you for this delicious recipe. It made our Thanksgiving complete.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I really appreciate you stopping by Mary – thank you!
Melissa says
I’m so excited to make this! Just cause my sister is being annoying lol, can you serve this warm??
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You can but it won’t have thickened up entirely.
Jennifer says
Should I remove the cinnamon stick and orange peel once done cooking the cranberries?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Before serving, yes.
Joni says
Absolutely amazing & delicious ?
Quick & easy to make!!
Shari says
Hi! Delicious cranberry sauce!! I am making it for the 2nd year in row. Just wanted to know, how much is 1 seving?
Tressa says
I just made this and it’s delicious! Do you remove the orange peel and cinnamon sticks? Or leave them in there?
Anita says
Very good. Used brown sugar instead of white and added applesauce. Like some of the others i used ground cinnamon
Victoria says
Just made this; super easy and delicious! Hopefully it will convert my canned-jelly loving fiance.
tessa says
Yum! Just made it for our celebration on Saturday. Just wanted to mention that I used slightly more cranberries, but only a half a cup of sugar and I think it’s great with a bit more tang! 😉 Thanks for the recipe!
Amber says
Thanks for the recipe! Quick question. Should I remove the orange peel and cinnamon stick when it’s finished cooking?
Bonra says
Can this be made with craisins (dried cranberries)?
Sommer says
Super excited to try this! If making in advance do you remove the cinnamon stick and orange peel after cooking?
Carolyn Dallara says
Do you remove the cinnamon stick before or after cooled?
Janie says
I just made this waiting for it to kool. My question to you is after it’s kool do you take the cinnamon stick out?
Kelly says
I just made this and I have always hated cranberry sauce. This stuff is delicious! When I store it, do I leave the orange peel and cinnamon stick in as well? Thank you!
Lisa Nielsen says
Would you think I could add two apples to this without changing any of the other ingredients?
Colleen says
Second year I’ve used this recipe! Love it. I add 1/8 tsp of cground clove, 1/8 tsp nutmeg too!
Brooke says
My boyfriend ate my orange right before I went to make this ☹️ Will it still turn out without the orange peel?
Julie Ann says
I made this last year for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it!!!! So I cant wait it to be a show stopper this year too!!! Thank you so much for posting this!!!
Courtney says
Just made this today so it can sit awhile before Thursday. It. Is. So. Good!!!! I seriously could eat the entire batch right now. Thanks for an amazing recipe!
Brittany says
This sauce is amazing! I had to prep early this year since I am at the end of the semester for ny masters program and we are traveling for Thanksgiving with a couple more things to make by Tuesday night! Thanks for the grest recipe. I left out the orange peel and cinnamon stick and just added cinnamon!
Stephanie Manley says
I love this isn’t too tart, or too sweet.
Jan says
How many points is this on the Freestyle program on Weight Watchers?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s a great question! I’m sure they haven an app for you to plug in the ingredients and find out!
Diane says
I just used WW calculator and it’s 6 points per serving. How big is a serving?
Sandy says
This is the best cranberry sauce EVER. Thank you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Sandy!
Ben Rayl says
Wow, just wow. This sauce is perfect, and so easy to make!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Super easy, super delish.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This cranberry sauce looks absolutely amazing! Can’t wait for Thanksgiving to make this!
Lori says
It’s my favorite way to make it!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I want to dive face first into a big bowl of this!
Brenda says
Easy, fresh, and delicious. Thank you so much!
Joanne says
I love the texture and “thickness” of this sauce. It’s perfect!
Liz says
This reminded me of my MIL’s cranberry sauce! Seriously delicious!!!
Barbara Schieving says
Love this make ahead recipe.
Melissa Sperka says
There’s absolutely nothing like this cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries!
Milisa says
I love homemade cranberry sauce and this one is a keeper!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Me too! It goes so well with so many things! Thanks Milisa!
Tony says
I modified the recipe a bit and enjoyed the result. 1/4 cup of Fireball Whiskey, 3/4 cup of orange juice, added a 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves, 4 tablespoons of white sugar and 4 tablespoons of real Maple sugar. The finish is tartier than most recipes but that’s a personal taste. I did use the orange rinds and cinnamon stick. Yummy. Can’t wait to serve it up with the turkey dinner tonight!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I love your modifications! Sounds amazing!
Bernice says
I made a double-batch for Thanksgiving. Everyone liked it. I took the extra and put it in a plastic container and froze it, hoping i could use it later. It froze just fine. It thawed, re-set and was just right for serving as it did the first time I served it.
Tracy says
How many cups of cranberries is 13 oz?
Tracy says
I mean 12 ounces
Stephanie says
This is so easy I have been making now for two years. Thank you for sharing!
Emily says
I know it calls for frozen cranberries, but can I use fresh?
Lorri says
I made the cranberry sauce with fresh local berries…Oh my gosh! Absolutely delicious!
Kathie says
My husband are new to the keto diet. You cranberry sauce recipe was much better than any we have had before. Thanks
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you enjoyed it Kathie!
Tara says
Made this recipe last year and made it again this year! Your the bestest! Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving!
Amy says
Do I need the orange peel because I don’t have any oranges on hand.
Sullivan says
No you don’t I just finished making it with out the orange peel and I’m totally happy with the results
Darlene says
I just finished making this. And i must say..it turned out PERFECT and YUMMY. Was so easy.
I don’t believe i will be buying canned anymore.
Nancy says
This is the second time I’ve made cranberry sauce. I love this recipe…it was easy and tasty. It looks great and thickened up nicely.
Dianne Carmena says
Made this today and it turned out soooo good!! Thanks for a super easy and tasty recipe! I tweaked mine just a little by adding a tsp of almond flavoring! Thanks again!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oooh! Love the addition of almond! Yummy! Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
Lene says
I can’t wait to try this! I have never made homemade cranberry sauce but started looking and this looks super easy and hopefully I can start a tradition that my kids will do as they start their own families! I’ll let you know if it was a hit!!! Thank you ?
Becky says
Mine is not as thick looking as yours. Does it get thicker when it cools?
Jane says
Mine also isn’t thick. I’m hoping it thickens as it cools.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It does thicken as it cools but use the video as a reference point as to when to pull it off the heat.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It thickens as it cools, yes.
Ritchie says
Why can’t I print your recipes?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
What happens when you click the print button Ritchie? A new page should open up. If it doesn’t open up the print dialogue box, just right-click and hit print. Hope that helps!
Liz says
Can this be frozen or canned?
Nikki says
WHAT is the fridge life on this ?
Can it be frozen as well? Or would it loose it’s fresh flavor ?
Cindy C. says
This outstanding cranberry sauce had the perfect balance of tart to sweet. I am delighted I found your recipe. Thank you.
Brenda says
Can this be frozen
Brehon says
I was wondering if this recipe could be canned, or would it throw off the flavors.
Gillian says
THANK YOU! I made this for canadian thanksgiving tonight and it was SO good!! best recipe i’ve found for cranberry suace! x
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You are so sweet! Happy Thanksgiving!
Stephani says
I have made this for a a year now. This is easy to make and so much better then canned.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Couldn’t agree more! Thanks Stephani!
sister location says
Yummy… It’s absolutely delicious
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you!
Jenna says
Hi there, can I use cinnamon powder instead of a cinnamon stick?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sure Jenna!
Candi says
This is the recipe I’ve used for years – except I use all orange juice instead of water. I just don’t understand how anyone could go back to canned after using this recipe!! By the way, made the cranberry orange shortbread cookies today followed recipe exactly. They are amazing!! Will make more!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Donna! Since I’m not there, it’s hard to tell where you went wrong. I would recommend watching the video I provided as reference. If you’re cutting your cookies thicker than I did, they will, of course, take longer to cook.
Colleen says
This really is the best!!! I’ve never liked canned cranberry sauce so I’ve never bothered to actually make it…. this recipe has changed everything!!