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Homemade Cranberry Sauce

This easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce is made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. Ready in about 20 minutes, it is a classic holiday side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and festive family dinners.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Additional Time 3 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 20 servings
Course: Sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

Cranberry Sauce
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries rinsed and stems removed

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan with lid
  • Wooden spoon
  • Large bowl
  • Food processor or blender, optional

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Sort through the cranberries and discard any stems or damaged berries. Rinse the cranberries thoroughly and drain.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, orange juice, water, and kosher salt. Stir until the sugars have dissolved.
  3. Add the fresh cranberries to the saucepan. Cover with the lid slightly askew and simmer for 12–15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and softened.
  4. For a chunky cranberry sauce, use the back of a spoon to gently smash some of the softened cranberries until the desired texture is reached.
  5. Transfer the cranberry sauce to a large bowl and allow it to cool. Refrigerate until chilled and ready to serve.

Notes

This recipe yields approximately 2 1/2 cups, or 20 servings of about 2 tablespoons each.
For a smoother cranberry sauce, puree the cooled mixture in a food processor or blender until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Store the cranberry sauce in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
The sauce will thicken further as it cools and chills.