Description
This easy cranberry sauce recipe is a simple and delicious way to add a burst of tartness to your holiday meals or desserts. Made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and a hint of vanilla, it’s quick to prepare and perfect for complementing turkey, pork, or even as a sweet topping for desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (or frozen)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for desserts)
Instructions
- Bring to a boil: Place the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook the cranberries: Reduce the heat to low-medium and let the cranberries cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries pop and the sauce becomes thick and syrupy.
- Stir in vanilla: If using, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to add a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor, then remove the saucepan from heat.
- Cool the sauce: Allow the cranberry sauce to cool for 20 to 30 minutes, which helps it thicken further and develop flavor.
- Blend the sauce: Transfer the cooled mixture to a food processor and process for about 1 minute until smooth. You can adjust the blending time depending on how chunky or smooth you prefer your sauce.
- Serve: Spoon the cranberry sauce into a serving dish and enjoy it as a vibrant accompaniment to your meals or as a topping for desserts.
Notes
- For a chunkier texture, blend the sauce for less time or mash by hand.
- You can substitute orange juice with cranberry juice or apple juice for a different flavor profile.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- This sauce can be made ahead and chilled until ready to serve.
- Vanilla extract is optional; omit if using the sauce primarily with savory dishes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce / Condiment
- Method: Boiling and blending
- 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, holiday sauce, cranberry orange sauce, homemade cranberry sauce
