Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (2024)

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Tart, fresh cranberries combine with sugar, orange juice and a splash of Grand Marnier to create an incredibly delicious and unbelievably easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (1)

Table of Contents

  • MY FAVORITE CRANBERRY SAUCE
  • HOW TO MAKE MY EASY CRANBERRY SAUCE
  • CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE CRANBERRY SAUCE?
  • WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER CRANBERRY SAUCE
  • Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Homemade Cranberry Sauce is one of those holiday recipes that I pretty much make just for me.

I love the stuff and will happily eat it for days after Thanksgiving with buttered Parker House Rolls or toast, as a topping for Greek yogurt or ice cream and even as sandwich spread with leftover turkey and ham.

I think people will forever equate cranberry sauce with the jiggly stuff that slides out of an aluminum can and they just don’t know what they’re missing when it comes to homemade cranberry sauce. But that’s totally okay because it means more for me!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (2)

MY FAVORITE CRANBERRY SAUCE

I have a confession to make: I’m a self-proclaimed turker disliker.

Not a hater, just a disliker. No matter how it’s cooked – fried, brined, roasted, smoked – it’s just not my fave. I’m a side dish girl through and through. I’d rather dig into the Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Corn Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, or Garlic and Herb Parker House Rolls.

But I’ll definitely dabble with the bird if it’s slathered in a bit of Homemade Cranberry Sauce.

Now, I know it’s ridiculously easy to pop open a can of store-bought cranberry sauce and jiggle it out onto a pretty, festive plate. But trust me, Homemade Cranberry Sauce is almost as easy. I promise.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (3)

The other promise I can make is that it’ll be about 10x more delicious than the canned stuff.

Since cranberries and orange go together like peas and carrots (don’t believe me? Try my Cranberry Orange Bread), I had to bring some orange flavors into my cranberry sauce recipe. Cue the orange juice and some Grand Marnier.

The result is tart, fresh cranberries cooked with brown and white sugars, freshly squeezed orange juice, a touch of spice and just a hint of Grand Marnier. The flavors blend together to create a bright spot on your Thanksgiving plate that both teases the palate and provides a little freshness from all the heavy, gravy-laden sides.

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HOW TO MAKE MY EASY CRANBERRY SAUCE

I promised you easy. Here’s where I deliver.

Want to know how to make this cranberry sauce?

  • Add all of the ingredients except the Grand Marnier to a saucepan.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or until the cranberries start to pop.
  • Remove from the heat, add the Grand Marnier, and let cool before serving or refrigerating for later use.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (5)

Yeah, that’s it!

The sauce will seem a bit thin when you first remove it from the heat, but it’ll thicken as it cools. That’s because cranberries contain a lot of pectin (the stuff that makes jams and jellies nice and thick) that gets released when they’re cooked.

If you prefer your cranberry sauce warm or at room temperature, whip this up a bit before you sit down to dinner. If you like it cold, make it a day or two before and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge until Thanksgiving dinner.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (6)

CAN YOU FREEZE HOMEMADE CRANBERRY SAUCE?

Cranberry sauce is one of those sides that freezes wonderfully.

If you want to be super on top of your turkey-day prep, make this a week or two ahead of time and pop it in the freezer in an airtight container. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

You can also freeze any leftover cranberry sauce, although there are lots of fun ways to use leftover cranberry sauce!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (7)

WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER CRANBERRY SAUCE

So you have some leftovers on your hands, huh?

Not to worry, I’ve got plenty of ideas for using up some of those leftover cranberries.

Of course, I am always a fan of slathering some of the leftover sauce on a turkey sandwich with a little bit of mayo. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it – it’s amazing!

My Cranberry Fluff is also a great way to use any leftover cranberry sauce. If you’re over sweets just after Thanksgiving, tuck some sauce away in your freezer to make mid-winter when you’re craving some tart cranberries in a sweet, fluffy dessert.

You could even try using some in place of jam in these Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bars (similar to my Apple Pie Bars).

And for some super simple appetizers or snacks, you have to try Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip and Cranberry Brie Bites!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (8)

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

4.36 from 79 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 10

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (9)

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Tart, fresh cranberries combine with sugar, orange juice and a splash of Grand Marnier to create an incredibly delicious homemade cranberry sauce.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • cup water
  • cup orange juice
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1-2 tablespoons Grand Marnier optional

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all of the ingredients except for the Grand Marnier. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cranberries start to pop (about 10 minutes).

  • Remove from heat, stir in Grand Marnier and place sauce in a bowl. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 104kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.01g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 59mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 37IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe | My Baking Addiction (2024)

FAQs

How do you take the bitterness out of homemade cranberry sauce? ›

Add A Splash Of Vinegar

While citrus is a natural pairing for cranberry sauce, bright, savory vinegars like sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar play well with the bitter-tart berries. Start with a little, then add more gradually. It's easy to overdo it when in comes to bold vinegars.

What happens if you cook cranberry sauce too long? ›

If your cranberry sauce is too thick, it's most likely overcooked. When you cook cranberries (or any berries), they burst, releasing pectin—a natural thickener. The key to a perfect consistency is to allow some but not all of the cranberries to split open—something you'll achieve with less time on the stove.

What's healthier homemade or store bought cranberry sauce? ›

Nutritional Facts Face-Off

The homemade cranberry sauce has nearly half the calories, carbohydrates, and sugars compared to the store brand. It also has more fiber as well as potassium!

How long does homemade cranberry sauce last in a mason jar? ›

When to Toss Cranberry Sauce. Cranberry sauce will last for two hours at room temperature. Homemade cranberry sauce will last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days. Canned cranberry sauce that has been opened will last up to a week in the fridge.

How do you counteract bitterness in sauce? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish.

How to improve cranberry sauce? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

What happens if you eat too much cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberries and cranberry products are usually safe for most people if consumed in moderation. However, excessive consumption may cause stomach upset and diarrhea — and may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

How to remove tartness from cranberries? ›

Anything from a drizzle of honey to agave, maple syrup, or molasses will also fare well. After a few minutes of maceration, the sour fruit juices will mix with the sugar and alleviate some of the cranberries' natural tartness.

Why won't my cranberry sauce set? ›

One possibility is that you may not have used enough sugar: Sugar helps the sauce firm up, so be sure to use the full amount called for in a recipe. Another possibility is that the cranberries need to boil for longer, releasing their pectin and ensuring a jelly consistency.

Is cranberry sauce good for your kidneys? ›

4. Cranberries. Cranberries are low in potassium and high in vitamin C, making them another great choice for people with kidney disease. Cranberry juice has also been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections, which are typical for people with kidney disease.

What does cranberry sauce do for your body? ›

Packed with antioxidants

The anthocyanins found in cranberries may have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. They may also: Protect against liver disease. Lower blood pressure.

Should homemade cranberry sauce be served warm or cold? ›

Should cranberry sauce be served warm or cold? You could, of course, serve it straight out of the pot, but I think it's best after it's chilled in the fridge. Chilling it helps it firm up some more in the fridge, plus, serving it this way means you can make it days ahead of a holiday.

Can I freeze homemade cranberry sauce? ›

Yes, you can freeze homemade cranberry sauce—and it works well. It's best to store it in the freezer for up to 3 months; the taste may be affected due to its water content if frozen longer. Keep this in mind when putting away your leftover sauce and use it during this optimal period as part of an easy weeknight dinner.

How do you know if cranberry sauce has gone bad? ›

After a few years, if the can is undented, the cranberry sauce's texture, color, or flavor may change, but it likely won't be dangerous. Again, use your senses to test whether the cranberry sauce is still good. Signs of spoilage include cans that are leaking, rusting, bulging, or severely dented.

Can dogs eat cranberries? ›

Cranberries are not toxic or poisonous to dogs. You can feed cranberries to your pup fresh or dried, but they do need to be given in small portions, in moderation, stem-free, and completely plain.

How do you get the bitter taste out of cranberry juice? ›

Add 1/4-1/3 cup sugar depending on preference.

Why does my homemade sauce taste bitter? ›

Leaf states that this can be due to burning the sauce in the pot or simply dealing with a batch of produce that are overly acidic or metallic from canning or cooking. This can also come from under-ripe or low-quality tomatoes, as well as stirring in a hefty amount of tomato paste, per Boss The Kitchen.

Why are my cranberries bitter? ›

Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

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