Name: Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar, or 3/4 cup honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar, plus more to taste; 3/4 cup water, preferably filtered; 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries; 2 wide strips of lemon zest, plus 1 Tbsp lemon juice; 2 wide strips of orange zest, plus 1/4 cup orange juice; 1/2 cup dried cherries; 1/2 cinnamon stick

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 4 reviews

If you’ve been on the hunt for a simple, reliably delicious cranberry sauce that anyone can whip up at home, you’re in the right place. This Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe is one of those gems I always keep in my back pocket, especially around holiday time. Seriously, it’s fresh, vibrant, and so easy that you’ll wonder why you ever bought that jelled, canned stuff. Stick around — I’ll walk you through everything from the ingredients to pro tips that ensure success every single time!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simplicity is key: Just a handful of ingredients come together in one pot for minimal fuss but maximum flavor.
Natural sweetness control: You decide if it’s tart or sweet by adjusting sugar or honey, so you get it just right.
Versatile base: Great on turkey, as a breakfast topping, or jazzed up with citrus and spices to suit your mood.
Easy to store & make ahead: Keeps beautifully in the fridge or can be frozen, making holiday prep a breeze.

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, simple cranberry sauce recipe, holiday cranberry sauce, fresh cranberry sauce - A close view of a blue pot filled with thick, chunky dark red sauce with visible whole cranberries and small bits of fruit, showing a textured surface. A silver spoon is resting inside the pot, partially submerged in the sauce. The pot sits on a light gray cloth with fresh whole red cranberries scattered around on a white marbled surface. The inside rim of the pot has red sauce stains. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe relies on simple, fresh ingredients that balance tart and sweet beautifully. Having quality sugar and fresh cranberries makes a huge difference, and I’ll share a couple quick shopping tips to help you pick the best ones!

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, simple cranberry sauce recipe, holiday cranberry sauce, fresh cranberry sauce - Flat lay of a handful of fresh, plump red cranberries, a few wide strips of bright yellow lemon zest, two cinnamon sticks with a rich brown texture, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear water, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden maple syrup, and a small pile of sparkling white granulated sugar, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: Fresh give the best pop and texture; frozen work brilliantly too if fresh aren’t in season—just no need to thaw beforehand!
Sugar (or alternative sweeteners): Granulated sugar works perfectly, but I love the depth honey or maple syrup adds for a subtler sweetness.
Water: Filtered water is my go-to here because it keeps the sauce tasting clean and bright.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe is that you can make it your own. I often play around with adding citrus zest or a cinnamon stick to cozy it up, but you might want to keep it fresh and simple. Either way, have fun with it! It’s easy to adjust sugar or swap sweeteners to suit your palate or dietary preferences.

Variation: Adding orange zest and juice transforms it into a bright Cranberry Orange Sauce, perfect for a festive twist — I love this combo around Christmas.
Dietary swaps: Using maple syrup or honey keeps it naturally sweetened and gluten-free, and coconut sugar gives a lovely caramel note if you want something different.
Spice it up: A cinnamon stick or a few dried cherries add a cozy flavor boost I swear by when I want a warmer vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Rinse and Prep Your Cranberries

Start by giving your cranberries a quick soak in a bowl of water. This little trick helps float away any bad or imperfect ones so you can easily fish them out. I always check for shriveled or discolored berries because they can affect the sauce’s texture and taste. Drain well before cooking.

Step 2: Melt Sugar with Water

In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine your sugar (or alternative sweetener) and water. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves completely — it won’t take long. If you’re using liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, you can just combine everything, including the cranberries, right from the start instead of dissolving sugar separately.

Step 3: Add Cranberries and Simmer

Toss in your cranberries and bring the mixture up to a gentle boil. Then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered, stirring every few minutes, until the berries pop and the sauce thickens — usually around 12 to 15 minutes. You’ll see the sauce turn from watery to glossy and jammy.

Step 4: Sweeten and Cool

Give your sauce a taste once it’s thickened. If it’s too tart for your liking, add a bit more honey, maple syrup, or sugar and stir it in. Once you’re happy, remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature — it will thicken a bit more as it cools.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Float Test for Berries: I always give cranberries a quick water bath—not only to clean but to spot any bad ones that could turn your sauce bitter.
Sweetener Swap: When I use liquid sweeteners, I add everything to the pot at once, which saves me a step and still turns out perfectly sweet and balanced.
Simmer, Don’t Boil Hard: A gentle simmer keeps the sauce from burning on the bottom and lets the berries burst perfectly to release their flavor.
Adjust Sweetness at the End: Waiting until the sauce finishes cooking to add extra sweetener means you avoid oversweetening and can tailor it to your exact taste.

How to Serve Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, simple cranberry sauce recipe, holiday cranberry sauce, fresh cranberry sauce - A white bowl filled with thick, chunky, deep red cranberry sauce showing whole and partially crushed cranberries, with a shiny, slightly wet texture. The bowl sits on a light gray cloth with a few loose cranberries scattered around it on a white marbled surface. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, partially dipped into the cranberry sauce. The scene is close up, highlighting the rich red color and texture contrast between the cranberries and the smooth white bowl photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping my cranberry sauce with a few thin strips of fresh orange zest when serving — it adds a lovely pop of color and subtle citrus aroma. Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top give a delightful crunch that contrasts with the silky sauce. Trust me, these little touches make it extra special!

Side Dishes

This cranberry sauce pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or chicken, mashed potatoes, and even sweet potato casserole. I often serve it alongside creamy brie and crusty bread for an easy appetizer, too—because the tartness cuts through rich cheeses perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like to serve this sauce in a small glass jar or ramekin right on the table so everyone can help themselves. During Thanksgiving, I’ve even mixed it with a dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese spread for a festive spread on crackers. It’s fun to play around!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once the cranberry sauce has cooled to room temperature, I transfer it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It keeps really well for up to a week—sometimes longer if you’re good about airtight sealing. The flavors even deepen overnight, which is a win in my book.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftovers in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags with great results. Just thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to use it again. It’s a life-saver if you want to make a big batch ahead of a party or holiday meal.

Reheating

If you want to serve your cranberry sauce warm, just reheat gently over low heat on the stove or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. This prevents it from burning or drying out. But honestly, room temperature or chilled works beautifully too.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for this Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh ones for this sauce. No need to thaw them first—simply add frozen berries straight into the pot when cooking. They’ll pop and soften during the simmering process to create that perfect tangy-sweet sauce.
How long does homemade cranberry sauce last in the fridge?

When stored properly in an airtight container, homemade cranberry sauce typically lasts up to one week in the refrigerator. Keep it sealed tight to maintain freshness and prevent any fridge odors from sneaking in.
Can I make this recipe vegan or paleo-friendly?

Yes! By substituting granulated sugar with maple syrup or coconut sugar, this cranberry sauce easily fits vegan and paleo diets. Just be sure to double-check your sweetener of choice to keep it aligned with your needs.
Can I add spices or citrus flavors?

Definitely. Adding strips of lemon or orange zest (and their juices) or a cinnamon stick during cooking can elevate your cranberry sauce to something festive and aromatic. It’s a personal favorite tweak that I like to do during the holidays.
What if my cranberry sauce is too tart?

Just stir in a little more sweetener—whether sugar, honey, or maple syrup—after cooking to balance the tartness. It’s best to add gradually and taste frequently so you don’t overshoot the sweetness.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen for good reason: it’s comforting, straightforward, and absolutely crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re making a quick side for a weeknight or prepping for the holidays, it always feels like a little sprinkle of fresh joy. I’m confident once you try this, you’ll never want canned cranberry sauce again. Give it a whirl and see how easy delicious can be!

Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 4 reviews

Author: Madison
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Description

A simple and classic cranberry sauce recipe made with fresh or frozen cranberries, sweetened with your choice of sugar, honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. This bright and tangy sauce is perfect for holiday meals and can be customized with citrus zest or spices.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar, or 3/4 cup honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar, plus more to taste
3/4 cup water, preferably filtered
12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

Optional Add-ins

2 wide strips of lemon zest, plus 1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 wide strips of orange zest, plus 1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cinnamon stick

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Instructions

Rinse Cranberries: Place cranberries in a bowl of water. Remove and discard any that float to the top or appear shriveled, squishy, or discolored. Drain well.
Melt Sugar: In a large saucepan, combine sugar (or your choice of liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup) and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Add Cranberries: Add the cranberries to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and sauce thickens, about 15 minutes.
Sweeten to Taste: Adjust sweetness by adding more sugar, honey, or maple syrup if needed. Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before serving.

Notes

If using liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, you can combine all ingredients at once and bring to a boil.
Optional add-ins such as citrus zest, juices, dried cherries, or cinnamon stick can be added at the start of cooking for extra flavor.
Store cooled cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
For longer storage, freeze the cranberry sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.