Name: Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe: Ditch Bad Cans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 ounces fresh cranberries; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup water; 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe

Jump to Recipe

Thanksgiving just isn’t Thanksgiving without that little bowl of jiggly, tart-sweet cranberry sauce, right? I remember being a kid and always being a *little* scared of it, but once I tried it with the turkey and stuffing… wow! Total game changer. Now, I can’t imagine the holiday without it. And honestly, making your own is SO much better than that canned stuff (you know the one!).

This year, skip the can and whip up my super simple Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe. Trust me, it’s way easier than you think – we’re talking like, 20 minutes tops! It’s perfect for when you’re already juggling a million things in the kitchen. I’ve been making this exact recipe for, gosh, probably close to 15 Thanksgivings now, and it’s always a hit. Everyone always asks for the recipe! So, finally putting it down here for all of you. Get ready to impress!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe

Okay, so why *this* cranberry sauce recipe? Well, let me tell you…

Quick and Easy to Make

Seriously, you can throw this together in, like, no time. I’m talking 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking. Boom! Homemade deliciousness.
Fresh and Flavorful

Oh my gosh, the difference between this and the canned stuff is HUGE. Fresh cranberries, real sugar, a little orange zest… it’s just bursting with flavor. Trust me on this one!
Perfect for Thanksgiving

It’s Thanksgiving, duh! Cranberry sauce is a MUST. It’s like, not even a real Thanksgiving without it. The tartness cuts through all the richness of the meal – just perfect.
Customizable to Your Taste

Don’t like it too sweet? No problem! Just add a little less sugar. Want to get fancy? Throw in some cinnamon or orange juice. It’s totally up to you! That’s the beauty of homemade.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe - detail 1

Ingredients for Your Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! This Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe only needs a few simple things, which is another reason I love it! Here’s what you’ll need:

Fresh Cranberries

You’ll want 12 ounces of fresh cranberries. Make sure you rinse them really well! I usually pick through them too, just to get rid of any that are looking a little sad.

Granulated Sugar

Yep, just plain ol’ granulated sugar. A cup of it! You can adjust this later if you want it less sweet, but a cup is a good starting point.

Water

Simple, right? Just one cup of water. Tap water is totally fine here!

Orange Zest

This is my secret weapon! Half a teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest. It adds this amazing little zing that just brightens up the whole cranberry sauce. Don’t skip it!

How to Make This Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, ready to get cooking? This Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe is so easy, I promise you can’t mess it up! Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be golden.

Combine Ingredients

First things first, grab a saucepan – medium size is perfect. Toss in your rinsed cranberries, that cup of sugar, the cup of water, and that lovely orange zest. Get it all in there! Don’t worry about stirring just yet; we’ll get to that.

Bring to a Boil and Simmer

Now, put your saucepan over medium heat. We’re gonna bring this whole shebang to a boil. Keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally, so the sugar dissolves nicely. Once it’s boiling, turn the heat down to low – you want a gentle simmer, not a crazy, bubbling mess! Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cranberries have burst open (they’ll make a little popping sound – kinda fun!) and the sauce has thickened up a bit. Just make sure you keep an eye on it and stir every now and then, because you don’t want it to burn on the bottom. Trust me, burnt cranberry sauce is NOT what you want for Thanksgiving!

Cool and Serve

Alright, you’re almost there! Take the saucepan off the heat and let your amazing Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe cool down *completely*. This is important! It’ll thicken up even more as it cools, so don’t panic if it seems a little runny at first. I like to pop mine in the fridge for a few hours (or even overnight!) to really let the flavors meld together. It tastes even better cold, in my opinion! Then, just scoop it into a pretty bowl and serve it up with your Thanksgiving feast. Get ready for the compliments!

Tips for the Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe

Want to take your Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe to the next level? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years:

Adjusting Sweetness

Taste as you go! Seriously, everyone has a different sweet tooth. If you think it needs a little more sugar, add it in a tablespoon at a time until it’s perfect for *you*.

Achieving the Right Consistency

Don’t stress if it seems a little watery when it’s hot. This Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe thickens up like magic as it cools, so just trust the process!

Storing Your Cranberry Sauce

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It’ll be good for up to a week (though it never lasts that long at my house!).

Variations on This Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe

Okay, so you’ve got the basic recipe down, but what if you want to jazz things up a little? This Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe is super versatile, so feel free to get creative! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Add Spices

Want a little extra warmth? Toss in a pinch of cinnamon, a few cloves, or a tiny bit of nutmeg while it’s simmering. Trust me, it’ll make your kitchen smell amazing, and it adds a cozy little something-something to the flavor.

Use Different Citrus

Orange zest is my go-to, but lemon or lime zest works just as well! They each bring a slightly different vibe to the party. Lemon is brighter and more tart, while lime is a bit more exotic. Have fun experimenting!

Incorporate Other Fruits

Feeling fruity? Chop up a small apple or pear and add it to the saucepan along with the cranberries. It’ll add some extra sweetness and texture. Just make sure you chop them small so they cook evenly!

Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe

So, you’ve made this awesome Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe… now what do you DO with it?! Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it up:

Pair with Turkey

Okay, this is the obvious one, right? But seriously, cranberry sauce and turkey are a match made in heaven! The tartness of the cranberries just cuts through the richness of the turkey perfectly. It’s like they were meant to be together!

Serve with Stuffing

Oh my gosh, have you ever tried cranberry sauce *on* your stuffing? If not, you’re missing out! It adds this amazing little burst of flavor that just takes your stuffing to the next level. Trust me on this one!

Add to Sandwiches

Leftover turkey sandwiches are a Thanksgiving tradition in my house, and a little cranberry sauce is the *perfect* addition! It adds some moisture and a little bit of sweetness that just makes the whole sandwich sing. YUM!

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe

Got questions about making this awesome Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common questions I get asked:

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh ones in this recipe. You don’t even need to thaw them first – just toss them straight into the saucepan! Easy peasy!

How long does Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe last?

If you manage to have any leftovers (which is a big “if” at my house!), you can store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just make sure it’s in an airtight container to keep it nice and fresh.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You betcha! In fact, I *recommend* making this Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe a day or two in advance. It gives the flavors time to really meld together, and it’s one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving Day!

Can I reduce the amount of sugar?

Sure thing! If you’re watching your sugar intake, or if you just prefer a more tart cranberry sauce, you can definitely reduce the amount of sugar. Just keep in mind that the sauce will be more tart, so you might want to add a little bit of honey or maple syrup to balance it out. Experiment and find what you like best!

Nutritional Information for Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe

Okay, so you’re wondering about the nutritional info for this Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe? Here’s the deal…

Disclaimer

I’m no nutritionist, so take this with a grain of salt, okay? The nutrition info can vary *a lot* depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use. So, while I can give you a rough estimate, it’s definitely not a super precise thing!

For more precise information, consult a registered dietitian.

Enjoy Your Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe!

Alright, that’s it! I really hope you give this Homemade Cranberry Sauce Thanksgiving Recipe a try. It’s seriously the easiest, most delicious way to make your Thanksgiving dinner extra special. And hey, if you do make it, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Oh, and don’t forget to rate the recipe if you loved it!