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4.5 from 370 votes

World’s Best Cranberry Sauce

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By: Joanna Cismaru •11/20/22 75 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for cranberry sauce.

Your Thanksgiving table is not complete without this Cranberry Sauce made from scratch in just 20 minutes. Fresh or frozen cranberries, a hint of nutmeg, lots of orange juice and zest and a bit of vanilla complete this incredible cranberry sauce.

Table of Contents

  • World’s Best Cranberry Sauce
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How To Make Cranberry Sauce From Scratch
    • Place Ingredients In A Saucepan
    • Reduce And Simmer
  • What Else Can I Add To Cranberry Sauce?
  • How Do I Thicken Cranberry Sauce?
  • What Is The Difference Between Cranberry Sauce And Cranberry Relish?
  • Expert Tips
  • How To Serve
  • Can I Make Cranberry Sauce Ahead Of Time?
    • Freezing
  • Other Delicious Recipes To Try
  • World’s Best Cranberry Sauce
    • Video
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions 
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?
cranberry sauce in a white bowl with orange zest and a piece of mint.

World’s Best Cranberry Sauce

Perhaps it may be a bit presumptuous of me to name this recipe world’s best cranberry sauce, but it wasn’t me that decided upon this name but everyone who has tried this recipe, so the name stuck. And trust me when I say that it is incredibly delicious, and I’m not usually a fan of cranberry sauce, but I can’t stop eating this one.

As I said, not a big fan of cranberries here, whereas my husband can eat them raw right out of the bag. Please reassure me that he’s not the only one, otherwise we might need to have a chat.

But even if he’s an island all his own, no one can dispute how addicting that tart, bright burst of flavor is. Even if you’re not a cranberry sauce addict, who can deny how perfectly it pairs with moist juicy turkey? I like to smear it on my turkey sandwiches the next day for those crave-able leftovers and let me tell you, it’s a home run.

Ingredients You’ll Need

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make cranberry sauce.
  • Cranberries – Fresh cranberries or frozen will work just perfectly for this recipe! I’ve made it with both fresh or frozen and you cannot tell the difference. I know buying frozen cranberries is more convenient because you don’t have to worry about them going bad, just stick the bag in the freezer and when you want to make some cranberry sauce, you’re all set.
  • Orange – We’re using both orange juice today and fresh zest, this will add some acidity and brightness to our sauce. I love lots of orange zest which is why I use 2 tablespoons of it which is from about 2 oranges.
  • Sugar – Just some granulated white sugar, we want some simple clean sweetness to balance out all that tartness. You can also use brown sugar.
  • Spices – Ground  nutmeg is going to round out our sauce nicely, it adds a sweet spiced taste and aroma. It can be substituted with cinnamon if you don’t have any on hand.
  • Vanilla – Our flavor secret weapon! Just a splash will bring all the flavors together. But trust me when I say, the vanilla is the secret ingredient here.

How To Make Cranberry Sauce From Scratch

detailed process shots showing how to make cranberry sauce.

It’s so easy to make this homemade cranberry sauce and you’ll want to have it on hand year round. I actually double the recipe and transfer it to jars which I freeze. Here’s how you’ll make it.

Place Ingredients In A Saucepan

Add all the ingredients to a smaller pot or saucepan and stir to combine. Turn the heat to a medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Reduce And Simmer

Reduce the heat to a medium and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will notice the cranberries will burst as they cook. Let the cranberry sauce cool completely at room temperature before serving.

What Else Can I Add To Cranberry Sauce?

Lots! This sauce is a good blank canvas so here’s some delicious suggestions: chopped pecans, raisins, cinnamon, allspice.

How Do I Thicken Cranberry Sauce?

Cranberry sauce naturally thickens. As it cooks, the liquid cooks off and the sauce thickens. If that doesn’t work, you could always add a thickener like a bit of cornstarch mixed with a bit of water. However, keep in mind that as the sauce cools, it will thicken some more.

mashed potatoes with 2 slices of turkey breast. gravy and cranberry sauce.

What Is The Difference Between Cranberry Sauce And Cranberry Relish?

The main difference is that cranberry sauce is cooked and cranberry relish is uncooked. For cranberry relish is made from raw ingredients that are blended in a food processor or blender.

Expert Tips

  1. If using frozen cranberries, there is no need to thaw them out first.
  2. Don’t skip the orange juice or replace it with water, it’ll help with the cranberry sauce not tasting bitter.
  3. For reduced-sugar cranberry sauce, you can use less sugar, about 1/2 a cup, taste it and add a bit more if too tart. For a sugar free version use a substitute like Splenda or Stevia.
  4. You can replace the sugar with brown sugar, maple syrup or honey.
  5. If you notice that your cranberry sauce hasn’t thickened after you’ve chilled it, put it back on the stove and simmer for another 5 minutes, then let it cool.
cranberry sauce in a jar.

How To Serve

This sauce is so multi purpose, you won’t even believe it. Not only is it delicious on many a protein, but it’s also totally mouth watering when eaten with sweets!

  • Roast Turkey obviously! The absolute classic.
  • Chicken breast
  • Pork
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Fold it into whipped cream and you’ll get a super beautiful bright pink topping for your favorite dessert!
  • Spooned over vanilla ice cream
  • Meatballs

Can I Make Cranberry Sauce Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely! Cranberry sauce when stored properly can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge, which is why this is perfect for making ahead. Anything we can do to save time for the big holiday is a bonus!

Freezing

You can also freeze cranberry sauce in an airtight container or jar for up to 6 months.

cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a spoon inside.

Other Delicious Recipes To Try

  • Cranberry Orange Bread
  • Cranberries and Cream Cheese Bread
  • Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
  • Cranberry Orange Muffins
  • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
  • Roast Turkey Breast with Saucy Cranberry Sauce
  • Cranberry Orange Cookies

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

closeup of cranberry sauce in a white bowl garnished with orange zest and mint.
4.52 from 370 votes

World’s Best Cranberry Sauce

Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cook 15 minutes minutes
Total 20 minutes minutes
8
Rate Recipe Print Recipe
Your Thanksgiving table is not complete without this Cranberry Sauce made from scratch in just 20 minutes. Fresh or frozen cranberries, a hint of nutmeg, lots of orange juice and zest and a bit of vanilla complete this incredible cranberry sauce.
Prevent your screen from going dark

Video

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces cranberries ((1 bag), rinsed)
  • ½ cup orange juice (store bought or freshly squeezed)
  • ¾ cup sugar (granulated)
  • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Assemble the sauce: Add all the ingredients to a smaller pot and stir to combine. Turn the heat to a medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  • Finish the sauce: Reduce the heat to a medium and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will notice the cranberries will burst as they cook. 
  • Cool and serve: Let cool completely at room temperature before serving.

Notes

  1. If using frozen cranberries, there is no need to thaw them out first.
  2. Don’t skip the orange juice or replace it with water, it’ll help with the cranberry sauce not tasting bitter.
  3. For reduced-sugar cranberry sauce, you can use less sugar, about 1/2 a cup, taste it and add a bit more if too tart. For a sugar free version use a substitute like Splenda or Stevia.
  4. You can replace the sugar with brown sugar, maple syrup or honey.
  5. If you notice that your cranberry sauce hasn’t thickened after you’ve chilled it, put it back on the stove and simmer for another 5 minutes, then let it cool.
  6. Cranberry sauce when stored properly can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
  7. You can also freeze cranberry sauce in an airtight container or jar for up to 6 months.
 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 102kcal (5%)Carbohydrates: 26g (9%)Sodium: 1mgPotassium: 67mg (2%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 21g (23%)Vitamin A: 65IU (1%)Vitamin C: 15.4mg (19%)Calcium: 8mg (1%)Iron: 0.1mg (1%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

closeup of cranberry sauce in a white bowl garnished with orange zest and mint.

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Through Jo Cooks, I invite you to join me in my kitchen as we explore delicious recipes from around the globe, celebrate the joy of cooking, and make every meal a memorable one. Happy cooking!

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75 Comments
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Lorie Bolden
Lorie Bolden
Posted: 13 days ago

5 stars
Just wanted to say I made this special for my Mom and everyone liked it! Thank you for awesome recipe!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Lorie Bolden
Posted: 12 days ago

My pleasure, so glad you guys enjoyed it!

0
Reply
Phoenix Rising
Phoenix Rising
Posted: 13 days ago

5 stars
I have never made cranberry sauce before, so I enjoyed the ease of making this. I used Bourbon-aged maple syrup instead of sugar. I found it a bit too sweet, so I added a squirt of lemon juice and that mellowed it out. I’m looking forward to see what response I get from the folks who are hosting the dinner.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Phoenix Rising
Posted: 13 days ago

Using Bourbon-aged maple syrup sounds like a creative twist! Adding lemon juice to balance the sweetness was a great idea. Can’t wait to hear how it’s received at the dinner.

0
Reply
Susan
Susan
Posted: 13 days ago

5 stars
Cooking it up now! I cannot stop sniffing it! Amazing combo!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Susan
Posted: 13 days ago

You’ll love it, enjoy!

0
Reply
Nancy
Nancy
Posted: 14 days ago

Every time I make this sauce it never disappoints! Really like the orange zest in it as well!

0
Reply
Sheila
Sheila
Posted: 14 days ago

5 stars
This is a really good recipe. It is very flavorful with just the right amount of sweetness.

0
Reply
Michelle
Michelle
Posted: 14 days ago

5 stars
This is the best cranberry sauce ever!! I have tried many recipes and my family have said no thank you to all. But not this one. We love this sauce and enjoy it with turkey, on toast, and as an appetizer with cream cheese. YUM!

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Michelle
Posted: 14 days ago

That’s wonderful to hear! I’m so glad your family loves this cranberry sauce. The cream cheese appetizer idea sounds especially tasty. Thanks for sharing your success!

0
Reply
Patti Toomey
Patti Toomey
Posted: 15 days ago

I made this cranberry sauce last year forThanksgiving and everyone loved it. Thank You so much for all of your delicious recipes.Everyone i have tried has been great. I am making the cranberry sauce right now for Thanksgiving!!!!!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Patti Toomey
Posted: 14 days ago

That’s wonderful to hear, I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it!

0
Reply
Ann
Ann
Posted: 16 days ago

5 stars
I have never had cranberries before and am now I cranberry sauce convert! This tastes so wonderful over turkey and mashed potatoes. Making this for thanksgiving, thank you Jo for your amazing recipes! I use only yours, as I trust them!😅We have similar flavor and cuisine preferences. I will try to review the ones as I make them so more people can find you!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Ann
Posted: 15 days ago

So happy you’re a cranberry sauce convert now! Thanks for trusting my recipes and sharing your experiences. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

0
Reply
Kelly Kemp
Kelly Kemp
Posted: 1 month ago

5 stars
I’ve made this before and it was amazing! I (finally) found the recipe again, and this batch might possibly be even better!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Kelly Kemp
Posted: 1 month ago

So thrilled to hear that you enjoyed it and even found your way back to the recipe! May this cranberry sauce continue to dazzle your taste buds and elevate your dishes time and time again!

0
Reply
Janet
Janet
Posted: 7 months ago

5 stars
Love this recipe,
Simple,delicious, no nonsense.

0
Reply
Sheryl
Sheryl
Posted: 11 months ago

5 stars
Just made it. Super easy. Halved the recipe. Used orange extract instead of zest, because it’s what I have on hand. (1 tsp extract to 1 Tablespoon zest was ratio I used.) Delicious!!

1
Reply
Julie
Julie
Posted: 11 months ago

Hi Jo,
Just made your recipe with cranberries fresh out of a Bandon, OR. bog!
Cooling down in the pan as I write. Took a taste, and I must say, this is a great recipe!
Thank you for sharing.
I over poured on the vanilla by accident and would definitely keep it to the recommended dose. Next time, I think I’d pare down the sugar by just a bit to let the tartness of the cranberries shine more.
We will enjoy this lovely relish, even though there is no Turkey in sight!

Last edited Posted: 11 months ago by Julie
1
Reply
Bella
Bella
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
It was tasty! I found the orange a touch strong, and the cranberries and oranges both were bitter so I doubled the sugar to compensate. But sooo full of flavour, will definitely make again, and I highly recommend.

0
Reply
Autumn
Autumn
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
Amazing! Add walnuts to the finished product if you like them!

1
Reply
Mary LP
Mary LP
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
This is the best recipe ever! Made it last year and this year. Turns out perfect every time!

0
Reply

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