Artificial Flavors Free Classic Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce from a can is convenient, but those versions often sneak in artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives that have no business being on your holiday table. This homemade version keeps things beautifully simple — fresh or frozen cranberries, real orange zest, a squeeze of orange juice, and a little sugar are genuinely all you need to get there. The natural pectin in the cranberries does the thickening work as they burst and break down, so there's no mystery ingredient required. A whisper of cinnamon rounds out the tartness without overpowering that bright, citrusy backbone. What you end up with is a glossy, jewel-toned sauce that tastes like it came from somewhere far more impressive than a 20-minute stovetop project. It's equally good spooned warm over a holiday roast or chilled straight from the fridge the next morning on leftover turkey.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sugar, water, and orange juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.
- 2
Add the cranberries and orange zest, then increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10–12 minutes. Watch the heat — the sauce can bubble up quickly once the berries break down.
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