Tangy, jewel-toned cranberry sauce adds a burst of fresh, tart flavor to your family holiday table. This vegetarian classic is a simple, essential Thanksgiving accompaniment.
Rinse the cranberries thoroughly and discard any soft or damaged berries.
Zest the orange, then squeeze out its juice, making sure to remove any seeds.
In a medium saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, water, orange juice, and orange zest with sugar and salt.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer. Stir occasionally and watch as berries pop, about 10–12 minutes.
Remove from heat once the sauce thickens and berries are broken down. Cool completely before serving; sauce will set as it chills.