Description
Elevate your holiday meals with this quick and easy 5-ingredient cranberry sauce. Bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh cranberries, zesty orange juice, and a hint of vanilla, this tangy sauce is the perfect complement to turkey or ham. It’s simple enough to whip up in under 30 minutes and can be made ahead of time—ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering. Not only does it taste incredible, but it also adds a beautiful splash of color to your dinner table. Enjoy a homemade touch that outshines store-bought options!
Ingredients
- 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about half a large orange)
- 3/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Zest the orange, then juice it to yield about 1/4 cup.
- Rinse the cranberries thoroughly; reserve 1/2 cup for texture.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining cranberries, water, orange juice, and brown sugar. Stir occasionally until simmering.
- Lower the heat and cook while stirring until cranberries burst and sauce thickens (about 15 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in reserved cranberries, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Allow cooling before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup (60g)
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Adjust sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar according to your taste. For added depth of flavor, consider incorporating spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. This sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or frozen for three months.