Celery Free Classic Cranberry Sauce
Tart cranberries, bright orange zest, and a whisper of cinnamon come together in a sauce that's bold, glossy, and deeply satisfying — the kind of thing that makes everything else on the table taste better. What's great here is how naturally straightforward the ingredient list is: fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, water, and a squeeze of orange juice are all you need to build serious flavor. There's no hidden celery seed, no store-bought mystery blend, just clean, whole ingredients you can trust from start to finish. The orange zest is the secret weapon — it lifts the whole sauce and keeps it from tasting one-note or overly sweet. As the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens on the stove, your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible. It sets up beautifully as it cools, so you can make it ahead and pull it straight from the fridge when you're ready to serve.
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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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