Description
A classic homemade cranberry sauce made with fresh or frozen cranberries simmered in a simple sugar and water syrup. This tart and sweet sauce is perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal and can be easily customized with nuts, citrus zest, dried fruits, or warm spices for added flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
- 4 cups (12 oz package) fresh or frozen cranberries
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Pinch or two of orange zest
- Raisins, currants, or blueberries (to taste)
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Pinch of allspice
Instructions
- Rinse cranberries: Place the cranberries in a colander and rinse them thoroughly under cold water. Remove any damaged or bruised berries to ensure the best flavor and texture.
- Make sugar syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Place over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar completely.
- Cook cranberries: Add the rinsed cranberries to the boiling sugar syrup. Return to a boil, then reduce the heat and let them simmer for about 10 minutes, or until most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Add optional flavors: Once the cranberries have burst, customize your sauce by stirring in optional ingredients such as chopped pecans, orange zest, dried fruits like raisins or currants, or fresh blueberries. If preferred, add holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice starting with a pinch each, adjusting to taste.
- Cool and chill: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the cranberry sauce to cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer it to a bowl or container and refrigerate to chill. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Notes
- This homemade cranberry sauce is perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday dinners.
- It can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- Feel free to adjust sweetness or add-ins according to your preference.
- The sauce thickens further as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a bit runny when hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 103 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
