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Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

This easy homemade cranberry sauce is made with fresh cranberries, sugar, orange zest and a cinnamon stick. It simmers in about 15 minutes and sets up in the fridge.

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 servings (about 2 cups)

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries rinsed
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • ¾ cup water

Instructions

  1. Add the cranberries, sugar, cinnamon stick, orange zest and water to a medium saucepan.
  2. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until most of the cranberries have popped.
  4. Remove the cinnamon stick.
  5. Let it cool, then refrigerate until set. It thickens a lot as it chills.

Recipe Notes

Frozen cranberries work too. No need to thaw, just add a couple of minutes to the cook time.
Like it sweeter? Add up to ¼ cup more sugar while it simmers.
Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Slow cooker: cook on high for 5 to 7 hours, stirring once or twice.