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Fresh Cranberry Sauce Recipe: Easy Homemade Thanksgiving Side

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This homemade cranberry sauce is bursting with tart cranberries, sweet orange, and a hint of cinnamon. Quick to make and perfect for Thanksgiving, it’s a glossy, flavorful side that’s sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries (about 3 cups), rinsed and picked over
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (from 1 large orange)
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest (about half an orange)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons maple syrup (swap for part of the sugar)
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (stir in after cooking)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped apple or pear
  • Optional: Pinch of ground ginger, cloves, or allspice

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pick over the cranberries, discarding any soft or shriveled ones. Zest and juice the orange.
  2. Add cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, water, cinnamon, and salt to a medium saucepan. Add maple syrup if using.
  3. Set the saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts bubbling (about 3-4 minutes).
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring often. Mash some of the berries for a chunkier texture, or mash more thoroughly for a smoother sauce.
  5. If the sauce looks too thin, simmer for another 2-3 minutes. If too thick, add a splash of water or orange juice. Sauce thickens as it cools.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in optional nuts, apple, or extra spices if using. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness as needed.
  7. Transfer to a heatproof bowl. Let cool to room temperature. For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Taste test early, as cranberries vary in tartness. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Sauce thickens as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems runny at first. For a chunkier sauce, mash only half the berries. For a smoother sauce, mash most and strain if desired. Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 10 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving, holiday side, homemade, easy, vegan, gluten-free, fruit sauce, orange, cinnamon

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/fresh-cranberry-sauce-recipe-easy-homemade-thanksgiving-side/