How to Make Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Cranberry Sauce in 15 Minutes or Less!

If you’ve always relied on the classic canned cranberry “log,” you are going to love how easy and fresh this homemade cranberry sauce is. This is truly an easy cranberry sauce recipe — ready in about 15 minutes with simple ingredients — and it tastes unbelievably bright and flavorful. Perfect with turkey, chicken, ham, pork tenderloin, or piled on a leftover Thanksgiving sandwich.

Fresh cranberries are naturally high in antioxidants and vitamin C (source), and cooking them from scratch gives you control over sweetness and flavor. Whether you’re preparing a full Thanksgiving dinner or just want a burst of festive flavor, this fast cranberry sauce recipe is a must-try.

Why Make Your Own Cranberry Sauce?

Choosing homemade cranberry sauce instead of canned makes a huge difference:

• Better flavor: fresh, bright, and not overly sweet.
• Quick & easy: this fast cranberry sauce is ready in about 15 minutes.
• Customizable: adjust sweetness, consistency, and spices.
• Make-ahead friendly: prepare up to 10 days before Thanksgiving.
• One pot: minimal cleanup.

Cranberries also contain natural pectin, which helps the sauce thicken naturally as it cools (source). That’s what gives your easy cranberry sauce that classic gelled texture.

Ingredients You Need for This Fast Cranberry Sauce

You only need a handful of simple pantry ingredients to make this easy cranberry sauce:

• 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Use fresh or frozen cranberries — no need to thaw frozen berries first. Either way, they cook down quickly, which is why this is such a fast cranberry sauce to whip up on busy holiday mornings.

How to Make Cranberry Sauce (Step-by-Step)

1. Rinse the cranberries. Place them in a colander, rinse under cool water, and remove any soft or damaged berries.
2. Combine ingredients. Add the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and cinnamon to a medium saucepan.

1. Cook 10–15 minutes. Set the heat to medium. As the berries heat up they’ll begin to pop and break down. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and help everything cook evenly.
2. Cool to thicken. Once the cranberries have burst and the sauce looks glossy and is slightly thick, remove from heat. Let it cool for about 10 minutes. It will continue to thicken as it cools thanks to the natural pectin in the cranberries.

Serve your homemade cranberry sauce warm, at room temperature, or chilled. All three ways are delicious, and you can choose whatever works best with the rest of your holiday menu.

Flavor Variations & Lower-Sugar Options

This recipe is naturally a fast cranberry sauce because the cranberries break down quickly as they cook. It’s perfect for last-minute holiday prep when you want something more special than canned but still need it to be quick and easy.

• Lower-Sugar Version: Use 1/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup monk fruit or erythritol, and add extra orange zest for natural sweetness.
• Maple Cranberry Sauce: Swap the sugar for 1/2 cup pure maple syrup for a richer, deeper sweetness.
• Holiday Spiced: Add a pinch of cloves, a pinch of nutmeg, and a cinnamon stick (remove the stick before serving).
• Bourbon or Grand Marnier: Add 2–3 tablespoons during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a grown-up twist.

How to Store & Freeze Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Another reason this easy cranberry sauce is a holiday MVP: it stores beautifully.

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then give it a good stir before serving.

Cranberry Sauce FAQ

Does cranberry sauce thicken as it cools?
Yes! The natural pectin in the cranberries helps the sauce thicken as it cools. If it seems a little thin when it’s hot, give it time.

Can I use frozen cranberries?
Absolutely. Frozen cranberries work just as well and are great when fresh cranberries are out of season. No need to thaw them first.

Can I double this recipe?
Yes. Just use a larger saucepan so the mixture doesn’t bubble over as the berries pop.

How sweet is this version?
It’s slightly tart, which pairs really well with savory dishes. If you prefer a sweeter cranberry sauce, add 1–2 extra tablespoons of sugar to taste.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce in 15 Minutes or Less!

Cranberry sauce people WANT to eat! No cans here!

5 / 5 ( 1 Review )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 18 minutes minutes

Serves: 4

Adjust Servings: 4

US CustomaryMetric

Ingredients

• 12 oz bag of fresh cranberries
• ½ cup of orange juice
• ⅔ cup of sugar
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon

Instructions

• Next add your ½ cup of orange juice, 2/3 cup of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon into a medium sauce pan.
• Put them on the burner on medium heat and listen to them whistle and pop
• Cook for 10-15 minutes.
• You will want to cook them until the sugar has dissolved and the cranberries have burst open.
• Let it cool just a bit and it will thicken more

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 39g

Ways to Use Leftover Homemade Cranberry Sauce

If you’re lucky enough to have leftover homemade cranberry sauce, there are a lot of delicious ways to use it after Thanksgiving:

• Turkey sandwiches or sliders (this fast cranberry sauce is perfect for leftovers!)
• Oatmeal or yogurt bowls for a sweet-tart breakfast
• Baked brie or cream cheese dip for easy appetizers
• Smoothies for a bright, tangy flavor boost
• Glazed pork tenderloin or chicken
• Whisked into a homemade vinaigrette for salads

Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce Schedule

This easy cranberry sauce fits perfectly into your Thanksgiving game plan. Here’s a simple timeline:

• 10 days before: Make the cranberry sauce and refrigerate in an airtight container.
• 1 day before: Give it a good stir and adjust sweetness if needed.
• Thanksgiving Day: Serve chilled straight from the fridge or warm gently on the stovetop over low heat.
• After the holiday: Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months for future meals.

More Easy Holiday Recipes

• Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast
• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
• Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole
• Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Helpful Holiday Cooking Guides

• Thanksgiving Dinner Planner
• More Holiday Recipes
• Cooking Conversion Guide

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