Using both fresh and dried cranberries, this 5-minute cranberry sauce recipe creates a tangy, sweet, and jammy side dish that is brightened with a touch of orange flavor.
Very few Thanksgiving recipes—if any—may be eaten right out of the can. The one exception, and for some people only in a rush, might be jellied cranberry sauce in all its gooey deliciousness (hello, turkey, brie, and cranberry grilled cheese). That is, until you've had a forkful of the tastiest juicy turkey with my mom's traditional stuffing, paired with the sweet tang of this homemade, 5-minute cranberry sauce. I swear—after just one taste, you won't ever eat canned food again. In my opinion, this is the best recipe for cranberry sauce. It has two kinds of cranberries: dried cranberries for sweetness and texture, and fresh cranberries for tartness. Thanks to the orange liqueur and grated zest, it has a hint of orange flavor and is jimmy with bits of fruit. Thanksgiving just wouldn't be the same without it—in my opinion, the best cranberry sauce there is.
What’s in This Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Three fundamental components are included on the recipe card found on fresh cranberry bags: sugar, cranberries, and water or another liquid, such as orange juice. The only difference between this recipe and the original is the addition of dried cranberries, which plump and soften while simmering in the jammy sauce, giving it more texture and sweetness. Although I don't add any spices to my cranberry sauce, it would taste great with a cinnamon stick, fresh sage, or rosemary.
Gathering the Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this cranberry sauce recipe:
. Fresh cranberries—for tartness
. Dried cranberries—for sweetness
. Sugar—you could use brown sugar if you wanted, or a mix of sugar and maple syrup
. Water
. Kosher salt
. Orange liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier, if desired—this adds an extra bump of citrus, but if you don’t care for the taste, you can leave it out.
How to Make This Cranberry Sauce Recipe
It only takes a few minutes to make this cranberry sauce.
Here are the steps to follow in order to make it:
Bring the kosher salt, sugar, and water to a boil. Bring a medium saucepan or pot to a boil, adding enough water to dissolve the sugar and kosher salt (I prefer to use one with a heavy bottom).
Add the orange liqueur, zest, and both fresh and dried cranberries. Simmer over medium heat, stirring from time to time, after briefly coming to a boil. In order to create the jammy sauce, the cranberries will naturally release their pectin when they soften and pop during cooking. It will take roughly five minutes for the dried cranberries to plump and soften, and it will break and burst for the fresh cranberries to be cooked.
The sauce thickens as it cools. Like any jam or sauce, the cranberry sauce thickens as it cools. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Creating the Cobbler Topping
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the chilled butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your hands to incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in the boiling water and stir until a sticky dough forms.
How to Jazz up Cranberry Sauce
As a purist, though, I adore this cranberry sauce recipe just the way it is. Here are some suggestions to experiment with adding different flavors:
. Insert a cinnamon stick.
. Instead of using orange zest, try lemon zest.
. Grate some fresh ginger and add it.
. Include a vanilla bean or essence.
. Add some raspberry or cherry preserves and stir (you should definitely reduce the amount of sugar if you do this).
Prepare it in advance.
Making this homemade cranberry sauce ahead of time is ideal because it keeps well for a couple of weeks in the fridge.
Is Cranberry Sauce Freezer Safe?
It is possible to freeze cranberry sauce. Freeze for up to three months after transferring to an airtight container or Ziploc gallon bag. To use, let it defrost overnight in the fridge.
What to Serve With Cranberry Sauce
. How To Cook THE BEST Juicy Turkey
. Swedish Meatballs
. Juicy Roast Turkey Breast
. Turkey Cranberry And Grilled Brie Cheese Sandwich
. Baked Turkey Meatballs
. The BEST Stuffing