Description
A simple and easy homemade cranberry sauce recipe that uses fresh or frozen cranberries sweetened with granulated sugar, honey, or maple syrup, perfect for holiday meals and a flavorful addition to any dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweetener
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or 3/4 cup honey or maple syrup, plus more to taste)
Liquid
- 3/4 cup water (preferably filtered)
Main Ingredient
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
Instructions
- Combine Sugar and Water: In a large saucepan, mix the granulated sugar (or honey or maple syrup) with the water. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir continuously until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add Cranberries and Boil: Add the fresh or frozen cranberries to the saucepan. Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer and Thicken: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered. Stir occasionally as the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, which usually takes about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Adjust Sweetness and Cool: Taste the cranberry sauce and add more maple syrup, honey, or sugar if desired for extra sweetness. Once satisfied, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries based on availability; the cooking time remains the same.
- Adjust sweetness according to your preference by adding more sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
- The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- For a zestier flavor, consider adding a strip of orange peel or a cinnamon stick during simmering, then remove before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (30g)
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cranberry sauce, easy cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, Thanksgiving sauce
