Easy and Delicious Homemade Cranberry Sauce

As the holiday season is quickly approaches, this amazing cranberry sauce recipe is a must to add to your dinner table!

You will love this recipe because is it an easy cranberry sauce recipe, and it is also bursting with wonderful bright flavors of orange & lemon. Granny smith apples help thicken the sauce, while it is sweetened with soft raisins and given a bit of crunch with tasty pecans. This is another recipe that is often requested during holiday time and is just what a Thanksgiving or other holiday meal needs to complement the turkey and other side dishes.

If you are ready, let’s go make some homemade cranberry sauce!

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In This Post: Everything You will need to make this cranberry sauce recipe:

• Equipment you will need
• Ingredients you will need
• How to make this recipe
• How to use Cranberries in cooking
• How to use leftover cranberry sauce
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Rebecca’s Tips for Success

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Equipment You Will Need to make cranberry sauce:

• medium saucepan
• dry measuring cups
• large cutting board
• chef’s knife
• vegetable peeler
• zester
• citrus juicer
• liquid measuring cup
• colander
• large spoon

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Ingredients You Will Need:

• fresh cranberries, washed and picked over removing stems and soft cranberries (if any)
• orange, zested and juiced
• lemon, zested and juiced
• Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and chopped in small pieces
• chopped pecans
• raisins
• sugar

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How to make this Cranberry Sauce recipe:

First:

Collect all ingredients

• 12 oz. bag fresh cranberries
• 1 3/4 cups white cane sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 orange, zest & juice
• 1 lemon, zest & juice
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut into small pieces
• 3/4 cup pecans, chopped
• 3/4 cup raisins (regular or golden)

Second:

• Pour cranberries into a colander and rinse with cold water, pick over for stems and soft berries
• Then add cranberries, sugar and water to medium saucepan
• Cook over low heat for about 5 minutes to dissolve sugar and soften cranberries (the cranberries will begin to pop open)

• When cranberries have popped open and are looking soft, add the chopped Granny Smith apple, the lemon and orange zest and juices.
• Cook for 15 minutes

Third:

• Remove from heat and add the raisins and chopped pecans
• Stir to combine and let cool
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator

Finally:

• Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving – the sauce will loosen up as it warms to room temperature
• Spoon into a serving dish and serve….Enjoy!

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How to use Cranberries in cooking:

Cranberries are a tasty, nutritious and versatile ingredient that can easily enhance your cooking and baking. They add vibrant color, bold flavor, and a touch of tartness, making them perfect for a variety of dishes. Additionally, their unique taste complements both sweet and savory recipes.

The 7 most common ways to use cranberries:

1. Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a classic, and especially a favorite for serving with holiday meals. Choose simple with just cranberries, sugar and water, or give it a twist like with this recipe! If you want, you can also add spices like cinnamon, cloves, or ginger for extra flavor if that suits your taste. Not only does this sauce pair perfectly with turkey, but it also is a delicious addition to pork, and even roasted root vegetables like carrots, butternut squash, sweet potato and baby Yukon gold potatoes.

2. Cranberry Muffins and Quick Breads

Cranberries are also a fantastic addition to baked goods like muffins and quick breads. For example, you can add fresh or dried cranberries to muffin batter for a burst of tartness that contrasts with the sweetness of the batter. Alternatively, you can incorporate them into quick bread recipes (like my cranberry-orange bread), where their tartness balances the richness of the bread.

3. Dried Cranberries in Salads

Dried cranberries are a common addition to salads. Simply toss them with mixed greens, nuts (such as pecans or walnuts), cheese (like goat cheese or feta), and a tangy vinaigrette. Dried cranberries add a pop of color, texture, and sweetness that contrasts beautifully with savory ingredients in salads.

4. Cranberry Jams and Jellies

Cranberries are also perfect for making homemade jams or jellies. To make cranberry jam, simmer fresh cranberries with sugar and pectin until it thickens. You can also combine cranberries with other fruits, like apples or oranges, to add complexity to the flavor. This jam is great on toast, scones, or as a topping for desserts like cheesecake.

5. Cranberry Cookies

Cranberries are commonly added to cookie dough to provide a chewy texture and a burst of tart flavor. For example, you can make oatmeal cranberry cookies, where the tart berries complement the sweetness of the oatmeal and other ingredients. Additionally, you can add white chocolate chips (my favorite!!) or nuts to enhance the flavor profile.

6. Cranberry in Sauces and Glazes

Another option is to cook cranberries into flavorful sauces and glazes that complement roasted meats. For example, you can make a cranberry glaze by simmering cranberries with sugar, vinegar, and spices, then brushing it over roasted chicken or turkey. This glaze adds a tangy sweetness that enhances the flavor of the meat.

7. Cranberry Smoothies

Cranberries make a refreshing addition to smoothies. To create one, simply blend fresh or frozen cranberries with fruits like bananas, apples, or oranges. Then, add yogurt or almond milk for creaminess. As a result, this smoothie offers a boost of antioxidants and vitamin C, making it a delicious and healthy snack or breakfast option.

As you can see, from classic cranberry sauce to baked goods and smoothies, cranberries can be used in a wide variety of dishes. Whether fresh, dried, or in juice form, they bring a unique tartness and vibrant color to your cooking and baking, making them an essential ingredient in both sweet and savory recipes.

Get creative and use them in your cooking and baking today!!

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How to use leftover cranberry sauce:

5 creative ways to use up your leftover cranberry sauce

1. Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich – The classic combination is a perfect choice! Start by spreading cranberry sauce on a slice of bread (or a roll), then layer with sliced turkey, lettuce, and a slice of cheese—cheddar or Swiss work well. For extra flavor, add mustard or mayonnaise to balance the sweetness of the cranberry sauce.
2. Use as a Glaze for Meats – You can repurpose your cranberry sauce as a glaze for meats like chicken, turkey, pork, or duck. To do this, heat the cranberry sauce with a little vinegar, orange juice, or soy sauce to thin it out and balance the flavors. Brush it over the meat during the final stages of cooking for a flavorful, glossy finish.
3. Mix Into Yogurt or Oatmeal – Start by stirring cranberry sauce into your morning oatmeal or yogurt for a sweet, tangy kick. This not only adds extra flavor but also enhances the texture, transforming a simple breakfast into something more festive. Additionally, you can top it off with nuts, seeds, or granola to complete the dish.
4. Incorporate into Baked Good – Use cranberry sauce in baking to add both moisture and flavor. For instance, you can swirl it into muffin or bread batter, like a cranberry-orange loaf, or use it as a filling for thumbprint cookies, pastries, or turnovers. As a result, it adds a delightful fruity note and a pop of color to your baked treats.
5. Add Cranberry Sauce to Marinades – Turn cranberry sauce into a marinade for meats, especially poultry or pork. Mix the cranberry sauce with ingredients like olive oil, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, or balsamic vinegar, and marinate your chicken, turkey, or pork chops for a few hours before cooking. The sauce will infuse the meat with a subtle sweetness and tang.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

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Rebecca’s Tips For Success:

• The Granny Smith apple is the key to a thick cranberry sauce recipe – the extra pectin in the apple will help to thicken the sauce and guarantee the sauce does not turn out thin and watery.
• If the cranberries do not all pop open, take the back of a spoon and squish them against the side of the pan to help open them up.
• Let the sauce simmer for the recommended time and stir often so the bottom does not burn
• Remove cranberry sauce from refrigerator 30 min. prior to serving to allow to come to room temperature – the sauce will loosen up and spoon more easily onto plates.
• Make the cranberry sauce ahead of time – it can be made 2-3 days in advance, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen.