Description
A classic holiday side dish, this Cranberry Sauce combines tart cranberries with sweet orange juice and a hint of cinnamon for a perfect complement to turkey or any festive meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- Zest of 1 orange (optional, for extra citrus flavor)
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice, orange zest (if using), cinnamon stick (if using), and a pinch of salt.
- Cook the Cranberries: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste and add more sugar if needed. Simmer a few more minutes to dissolve additional sugar if used.
- Cool the Sauce: Remove from heat, discard the cinnamon stick, and let the sauce cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm or chilled. It can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
Notes
- The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
- Can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0g