How to make homemade cranberry sauce (4 ingredients)

posted Dec 9, 2021, updated Oct 16, 2023, by Shana Thomas

Learn how to make homemade cranberry sauce with only a few ingredients for your holiday feast.

cranberry sauce in white bowl with spoon and cranberries and cinnamon

This healthy cranberry sauce recipe is so much better than the canned stuff. Why? It’s made with fresh cranberries, comes together in only 10-15 minutes, and is very versatile. I use it as a condiment to put on top of almost anything.

I LOVE cranberry sauce, have since I was a little girl, and enjoy eating it with my Thanksgiving side dishes. Especially, cornbread stuffing. For me, there is no stuffing without cranberry sauce.

fresh cranberries, orange, cinnamon stick, vanilla extract, maple syrup

Why you’ll love this recipe

Learn a few advantages to making this easy cranberry sauce below!

refined sugar-free
naturally low in calories
made from fresh cranberries

There are many cranberry sauce variations. Feel free to modify this recipe. You can add more warming spices like cardamom, nutmeg, or chopped nuts. So let’s get into the ingredients and recipe details.

Ingredients you’ll need

cranberries: I used fresh cranberries, but you can use fresh or frozen. If using frozen cranberries, let it simmer a few minutes longer to thicken up.
orange juice: sweetens the sauce and adds a nice floral element. The zest brings out more of the orange flavor.
maple syrup: keeps the recipe refined sugar-free, adds flavor, and sweetens it up as well.
vanilla extract: because vanilla makes everything taste delicious.
cinnamon stick: adds a slight citrusy note and spicy taste.

How to make this cranberry sauce with orange juice

Add your cranberries, orange juice + zest, vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, and maple syrup to a medium pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 6-8 minutes. Keep stirring the mixture to ensure it does not burn or stick to the pot. The mixture is done once it has thickened and most of the cranberries have popped.
Optionally, use a fork to pop the remainder of the cranberries. Let the sauce cool completely before serving.

Common Questions About Cranberry Sauce

How do you get the bitterness out of cranberry sauce?

I used maple syrup, vanilla extract, and orange juice for this recipe. However, here are some other sweetener suggestions like brown sugar, agave, monk fruit, honey, or apple juice.

Is cranberry sauce healthy for you?

Yes, cranberries are packed with vitamins and nutrients. They’re high in antioxidants, and research indicates cranberries can lower your risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). For more health benefits, check out this article by Livestrong.

How to thicken cranberry sauce?

The sauce will thicken up as it cools. If it does not, mix 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch or tapioca until smooth. Add it to the sauce as it simmers, and whisk continuously until it thickens.

What to do with the leftovers?

Have some cranberry sauce leftover from your holiday festivities? Instead of letting it go to waste, think of it as a condiment to be used as a thick sweet jam or relish.

Here are some recipe ideas for inspiration in the kitchen. Add to sandwiches like my roasted cauliflower eggplant sandwich, on top of my chickpea burgers, overnight oats, almond flour pancakes, toast, or crackers. More ideas? Let me know in the comments below!

How to store cranberry sauce?

Make it 2 days in advance, store it in an airtight container, and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. Freeze it for up to 2 months.

Why is my cranberry sauce so seedy?

Cranberries do have seeds inside them. Sometimes, when using frozen cranberries, if it does not cook long enough, the seeds may not break down. This can cause the sauce to taste seedy. If you follow the instructions below, this should hopefully not happen.

A good substitute for cranberry sauce

Here are a few sauce alternatives below for you to consider.

fig jam: It’s sweet and nutty and would serve as a great alternative.
berries: use blackberries, raspberries, or any berry of choice to make a thick saucy jam.
Chunky-style tomato sauce: if you want something less sweet, then I’d use this one.
chili garlic sauce: this one is spicy and tangy.
chutney: comes in a variety of herbs, fruits, and spices.

homemade cranberry sauce in a white bowl with a spoon

What to serve with cranberry sauce

Below are some of my favorite holiday dinner serving suggestions to pair with cranberry sauce. Since cranberry sauce is tangy and sweet, you can eat it in many recipes. Let your creativity flow!