Best Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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.

Cook 20 min Difficulty EASY 95 kcal
#vegetarian #diabetic friendly #mediterranean
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • fresh cranberries 12 oz
  • water 1 cup
  • orange 1 piece
Seasonings/Sauce
  • granulated sugar 3 4 cup
  • salt 1 pinch
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 23 g 97%
Protein 0 g 0%
Fat 0 g 3%
Serving size 70g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Rinse the cranberries thoroughly and discard any soft or damaged berries.

  2. 2

    Zest the orange, then squeeze out its juice, making sure to remove any seeds.

  3. 3

    In a medium saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, water, orange juice, and orange zest with sugar and salt.

  4. 4

    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.

  5. 5

    Remove from heat once the sauce thickens and berries are broken down. Cool completely before serving; sauce will set as it chills.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
Fresh cranberries are the essential ingredient, providing tartness, color, and classic flavor that define cranberry sauce. The orange adds subtle citrus notes and enhances overall taste.
Q. How do I avoid overcooking cranberry sauce?
Keep the heat at medium and remove the sauce from the stove as soon as it has thickened and most berries have popped. Overcooking may cause the sauce to dry out or taste bitter, so monitor closely after 10 minutes.
Q. What gives cranberry sauce its signature texture?
Simmering cranberries causes them to burst and release pectin, which naturally thickens the sauce. Stirring gently and allowing it to chill after cooking ensures a perfectly soft-yet-set consistency.
Q. How many calories and carbs are in each serving?
Each 70g serving of this cranberry sauce contains about 95 kcal and 23g carbohydrates, with minimal protein and fat. This classic holiday side is mostly carbs, suitable for vegetarian and Mediterranean-style diets.
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