Cranberry Sauce

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A close-up of a pot filled with thick, chunky Cranberry Sauce being stirred with a wooden spoon. The deep red, glossy sauce highlights visible chunks of cranberries for a deliciously festive look.

Cranberry sauce is a passionate subject when it comes to Thanksgiving. Many of us cannot resist the canned jiggly cranberry sauce from the grocery aisle, and guess what, I love it too! The gelatinous, deliciousness that it is. So, when my aunt made this one year I almost didn’t try it, but then I did and I was forever turned the other direction on the right side of the fence, the homemade cranberry side of the fence. It is truly an exquisitely delicious experience! Not only is this cranberry sauce recipe incredibly delicious, but you’re going to be surprised with how absolutely easy this is to make. So run to the store and pick up a couple bags of fresh cranberries and let’s get poppin (pun intended). And if you want a little nostalgia you can pick up a can of cranberry sauce while you’re there too lol. Let’s make it!

A hand with green nail polish holds a small bottle of Grand Marnier liqueur in front of a pot of cranberry sauce simmering with fruit.

Adding Grand Marnier into the cranberry sauce enhances both the flavor and depth of the recipe. The orange flavor of the liqueur complements the tartness of the cranberries and adds a rich, aromatic layer. Also, the cranberries can be quite tart and the Grand Marnier adds a little sweetness to balance the acidity.

A pot of bubbling cranberry sauce is being stirred with a wooden spoon, showing whole cranberries and rich red liquid. Steam rises from the cranberry sauce mixture, indicating it is cooking on the stovetop.
A close-up of Cranberry Sauce being cooked in a pot, bubbling with frothy pink foam on the surface, as a wooden spoon stirs the mixture.
A hand stirs a pot of bubbling cranberry sauce with a wooden spoon, while sprinkling ground cinnamon on top.
A close-up of a spoon holding thick, chunky Cranberry Sauce above a pot brimming with rich, homemade cranberry sauce.
A close-up of a pot of simmering Cranberry Sauce being stirred with a wooden spoon. The thick, chunky sauce is deep red in color, capturing the essence of homemade Cranberry Sauce in every luscious swirl.
A close-up of a spoonful of thick, chunky cranberry sauce being lifted from a pot filled with more homemade Cranberry Sauce, showing off its vibrant red color and rich texture.
A clear plastic container filled with homemade Cranberry Sauce sits on a wooden surface, showcasing a thick, glossy, deep red mixture with visible berry pieces.


🗒 More Thanksgiving Recipes

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store in an air-tight container for 3-5 days in refrigerator.

🤔 Common Questions

Can I freeze cranberry sauce?

Yes, cranberry sauce freezes very well! Let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It will keep for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply place it in the fridge overnight or gently reheat it on the stove.

Melissa Jo

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How do I thicken cranberry sauce if it’s too runny?

If your cranberry sauce is too runny, you can simmer it a bit longer to reduce the liquid. If you need a quicker fix, you can mix a small amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder with cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce while it’s simmering. This will help it thicken.

A close-up of a spoonful of thick, chunky cranberry sauce being lifted from a pot filled with more homemade Cranberry Sauce, showing off its vibrant red color and rich texture.
Melissa Jo

Cranberry Sauce

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Cranberry sauce is a passionate subject when it comes to Thanksgiving. Many of us cannot resist the canned jiggly cranberry sauce from the grocery aisle, and guess what, I love it too! The gelatinous, deliciousness that it is. So, when my aunt made this one year I almost didn't try it, but then I did and I was forever turned the other direction on the right side of the fence, the homemade cranberry side of the fence. It is truly an exquisitely delicious experience! Not only is this cranberry sauce recipe incredibly delicious, but you're going to be surprised with how absolutely easy this is to make. So run to the store and pick up a couple bags of fresh cranberries and let's get poppin (pun intended). And if you want a little nostalgia you can pick up a can of cranberry sauce while you're there too lol. Let's make it!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 193

Ingredients
  

  • 2 24 oz bags of cranberries
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 – 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • Zest of one clementine
  • Half a mini bottle of Grand Marnier about 25 ML

Method
 

  1. Clean your cranberries really well, then add them to a pot.
  2. Add in sugar, orange juice, water, kosher salt, then bring it to a boil.
  3. Once they start to pop, lower the heat to a simmer and to move the process along, use a wooden spoon to press the cranberries against the side of the pot.
  4. Add in Grand Marnier and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Add in your cinnamon and clementine zest.
  6. Take the pot off the heat for about 30 minutes.
  7. Put in the refrigerator for 24 hours, then into the freezer until you take it out the morning of, to let it thaw out.

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Nutrition

Calories: 193kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 0.01gFat: 0.2gSodium: 75mgPotassium: 2mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 0.4IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.04mg

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