A sweet and sharp combination of fresh cranberries, orange juice, sugar, and vanilla make this Perfect Homemade Cranberry Sauce a wonderful and delicious holiday classic!

My Favorite Cranberry Sauce for the Holidays

What’s one Thanksgiving dish (or even Christmas! It’s right around the corner. 🎅 ) side you can’t do without? 

If you answered “Turkey,” “stuffing,” or maybe “green bean casserole…” I hear you! Savory recipes made with plenty of herbs and onions are holiday must-haves. But, let’s not forget the cranberry sauce! Yes, this deliciously traditional, ruby-red side dish really rounds out a menu.

Plus, it’s helpful in terms of balance. Compared to the more buttery, garlicky, sage-y sides, cranberry sauce stands out! It’s a tangy addition to the table that cuts the richness of other holiday dishes.

Is Cranberry Sauce Healthy?

In general, cranberries are very good for you! They contain helpful antioxidants and are known to fight inflammation in the body.

However, since cranberry sauce is a type of sweetened relish, you may want to watch your portion sizes to avoid consuming too much sugar. If you’d like to lighten this recipe, try reducing the amount of sugar, and/or swapping some of that sugar for honey.

What You’ll Need

These ingredients are the ultimate in fresh, juicy flavor and texture. Once you try homemade cranberry sauce, it may just convince you to walk past that store-bought canned sauce.

• Cranberries: You can use fresh or frozen cranberries, whichever you prefer. 
• Sugar: I like to use half brown sugar, and half white sugar.
• Orange Juice: Squeeze the juice from about 4 oranges.
• Water
• Vanilla: A bit of vanilla extract adds sweetness and depth.
• Orange Zest:  Zest a small amount of the peel from one of the oranges.

How to Make Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Making cranberry sauce at home is as easy as falling off a log (and less painful, I would imagine?). You basically just simmer everything together. Easy peasy!

1. Boil the Ingredients. Combine all of the cranberry sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and set it over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. 
2. Simmer the Sauce. Once the sauce comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. 
3. Cool. When all the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat, and allow it to cool for about 20 minutes. 
4. Enjoy: Serve the cranberry sauce warm, or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. You can serve it cold, or reheat if desired (see “How to Store and Reheat” section below).

Tips for Success

You really can’t go wrong here, but I do have a couple of helpful tips and variations to share. Read on, and happy cooking!

• Store-Bought Orange Juice: Make things easier by using store-bought orange juice, and omitting the zest.
• Add Jam: Use half orange juice and half orange marmalade or apricot jam, for a special flavor addition.
• Spice It Up: Add a dash of cinnamon for a gently spicy, Christmasy taste.

Serving Suggestions

To serve this jewel-hued side dish, I recommend making a classic holiday meal with some of your favorites, such as:

• Turkey: Roast a whole turkey, or make a simple Roast Turkey Breast instead.
• Pork: A tender, juicy Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables is a great alternative to turkey! The built-in side of savory roasted veggies makes it a meal in itself!
• Casserole: Casseroles are wonderful for a special meal, and this recipe for The Best Green Bean Casserole is a favorite. It’s full of fresh veggie flavor, with a homemade creamy mushroom sauce.

How to Store and Reheat  Cranberry Sauce

• Cranberry sauce can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator, for up to one week. 
• There’s no need to reheat, but if you would like to serve this warm, you can easily reheat it on the stove over medium heat.

Can I Freeze Cranberry Sauce?

• Yes, cranberry sauce can be stored in freezer bags and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving or reheating.

How To Make Ahead

• Make the cranberry sauce according to the recipe.
• Then, store it in the fridge (or freezer, depending on how far ahead you want to make it) until the day you’re ready to serve.
• If you freeze it, thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.

More Classic Holiday Sides

• The Best Green Bean Casserole
• Classic Creamy Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes