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by Michelle
November 14, 2011 (updated Feb 28, 2019)
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4.67 (3 ratings)[donotprint]
This cranberry sauce starts a parade of recipes that I absolutely fell in love with last Thanksgiving. However, since as soon as the Thanksgiving table is cleared my head turns to Christmas so quickly it nearly spins (hello, Black Friday outlet shopping!), I immediately go into Christmas cookie mode, not so much Thanksgiving dinner-recap mode. Now that we’re back in Thanksgiving prep mode, I am thrilled to share these with you!
Now, let’s talk cranberry sauce. Growing up, the only cranberry “sauce” (I use that term loosely) I ever knew was the stuff that came out of a can. The gelled stuff that held the shape of said can until you smashed it up. This “sauce” never tempted me. Pass me the gravy, please. So last Thanksgiving when I was helping my mom put together the menu for Thanksgiving, I decided that the cranberry sauce needed to undergo a major overhaul. I found this recipe, and it was absolutely phenomenal, plus it couldn’t have been easier to make.
I love the fresh simplicity of this sauce – fresh cranberries, sugar, water, apple, orange and lemon. These bright, fresh flavors cook down together and make a fantastic accompaniment to the turkey. This only takes 20 minutes on the stove and (this is the best part!) you can make it up to a week before Thanksgiving and keep it in the refrigerator. I’m a huge fan of anything that can be done ahead of time since there’s always a time crunch on Thanksgiving day.
Did you discover any fabulous recipes last year that you’re planning to use again this year?
One year ago: Pumpkin Pie
Two years ago: Lebkuchen (German Christmas Cookies)[/donotprint]
Cranberry Sauce
Yield: 4 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
A traditional cranberry sauce recipe perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas
4.67 (3 ratings)
Print Pin Rate
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340.2 g) fresh cranberries, rinsed and dried
- 1¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
- Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
- Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
Cook the cranberries, sugar and 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the skins on the cranberries pop open.
Add the apple, zests and juices and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove from the heat, let cool and serve chilled.
Calories: 408kcal, Carbohydrates: 106g, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 133mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 95g, Vitamin A: 100IU, Vitamin C: 24.5mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 0.3mg
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Author: Michelle
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Originally published November 14, 2011 — (last updated February 28, 2019)
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38 Comments on “Cranberry Sauce”
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Cortney Beth Turner — Reply
I’ve been making your recipe for a few years now, it’s always a hit! I’ve actually tripled it and with the leftovers add some sugar and pectin and it makes the most delicious jam!! People covet the jars each year. Thank you!
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Laura — Reply
So excited to make this! Have the gingerbread bunny cake in the oven right now:) Thanks for your wonderful recipes!
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MARIE — Reply
Dear Michelle,
Thank you so very much for sharing all these wonderful recipes…
I want to make the Cranberry sauce but we do not have fresh cranberries; can I use dried cranberries
and if so, sho0uld I modify the recipe?????
Do have a blessed day!-
Michelle — Reply
Hi Marie, Yes you could definitely use frozen, just thaw and drain before using them in the recipe.
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Lori — Reply
I meant to give the cranberry sauce a five star rating in my previous post
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Lori — Reply
This is the best cranberry sauce recipe. It is now a staple for our Thanksgiving table and I always refer others to BEB for this and other delicious recipes. This year I was online at the deli counter and struck up a conversation with a stranger. I referred her to this blog and she was scrolling through the recipes before she left the store. Thanks for all you do Michelle.
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Carolin — Reply
Hi Michelle,
I live in Germany and I don’t think that I can get fresh cranberries here. Do you think I could adapt the recipe and use dried cranberries instead? Do you have such a recipe?
Thank you for your great ideas!
Greetings from Bamberg, Germany
Carolin-
Michelle — Reply
Hi Carolin, I would not use dried cranberries, but you could use frozen ones, and thaw them.
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built in fridge — Reply
I love the simplicity of this recipe. Cranberries bring that much needed color to the Thanksgiving table.
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Ang — Reply
Just had to tell you – I made this for thanksgiving and it was a hit! More than one person said they just wanted to eat it straight out of the bowl. Delicious!!
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Doskogirl — Reply
I cannot wait to try this! I pinned this immediately to one of my Pinterest Boards!
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Kim Daly — Reply
See AlsoWhole30 Fall RecipesI made this last night and it is delicious! I had to stop myself from eating it all warm from the stove! Will be reposting on Soulicious.net!
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RisaG — Reply
I like making my homemade spicy cranberry relish for the T’day table every year. It has chipotle in it and Grand Marnier. So good. This looks so pretty and delicious.
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April — Reply
My mom always adds a pinch of cinnamon to her cranberry sauce. Can’t wait to try your version with the orange and lemon juice. Looks delicious!
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foodfashionandflow — Reply
This looks so yummy. Nothing like a classic cranberry sauce
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kita — Reply
If you had told me 5 years ago that I would love cranberry sauce someday, I would have laughed. Now I can’t imagine a Thanksgiving table without it and this recipe looks great!
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This looks great! I have been wanting to make a homemade cranberry sauce for a few Thanksgiving’s now and I am finally getting a chance to try this year! I love cranberries but I abhor the canned stuff that sits at the dinner table year after year. I’m so excited for Thanksgiving and all of the great recipes I’m finding! Thanks!
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Kate Koger — Reply
In Australia you can’t get cranberries fresh or frozen so we only ever had the jar version of Cranberry sauce. But since moving to the UK I have been able to get my hands on the little red beauties. I have made my own Cranberry sauce and it was amazing. Will be making our own again this year for Xmas and lots of baking with the cranberries too!! Mmmmmmm :)
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Ann — Reply
GREAT cranberry sauce! We grew up with the same stuff from the can…UGH! I’ll never serve that again after having homemade cranberry sauce!
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Faythe — Reply
Yay for cranberries! I posted a recipe for cranberry sauce today, too. I’ve only ever used the recipe on the back of a bag of cranberries. I love that you add apple and citrus in yours. I’ll have to try that.
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Carol Egbert — Reply
I like roasted cranberry sauce. Here’s a link http://www.carolegbert.com/roasted-cranberry-relish
Happy holidays
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Ambel — Reply
hmmm, I’d love to try this, I just need to find the fresh cranberry’s cuz I want to make your cranberry upside down cake too!!! Thanks for the recipe!
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Sarah Richardson — Reply
I am a cranberry sauce expert! Seriously, I always get put in charge of making it and I get bored of how easy it is to make. I almost never use just sugar anymore. I use honey, agave nectar or a combo. You literally cannot mess it up!
I also add different fruits to it. Oranges, Lemon, any berries. SO good!
I also add things like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Last year I made one with cranberries, honey and brown sugar and cinnamon. And another one with cranberries, agave nectar and blueberries!
YUM!
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The cranberry sauce looks so vibrant and delicious.
Thanks so much for sharing. -
Tracy via the traveling cupcake — Reply
Homemade cranberry sauce is the BEST! The morning after thanksgiving I love spreading the leftovers onto toasted bagels!
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Michelle — Reply
Oh Tracy, I love your idea for using up leftover sauce, that sounds delicious!
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Rachel @ Bakerita — Reply
My grandpa is a cranberry sauce addict, but he’s the only one who likes it in my family.
I made homemade cranberry sauce last year and everyone was devouring it.
I’ll definitely try this recipe out on them this year! -
Brooks at Cakewalker — Reply
Michelle, This Cranberry Sauce sounds as delicious as it looks! The addition of apple must be lovely… It wasn’t until I put my foot down on the dreary canned variety that I began to adore this condiment. My best to you & yours this holiday!
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Lori — Reply
LOVE this recipe! I have been making it every thanksgiving for 4 years now! always a big hit!
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Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) — Reply
An oldy but a goooodie!
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Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes — Reply
Mmmm yummy and sounds so easy! Now I really need to find my zester! It’s been MIA for a while now…
Great recipe! -
CouponClippingCook — Reply
The orange and lemon zest sound like a perfect match for the cranberries. Sounds delicious. And love that little bowl you put it in. The cranberry sauce looks beautiful in it.
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Lisa — Reply
My family has never served a cranberry sauce like this, but I’m going to make it this year! This looks really good!
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Georgia — Reply
I love cranberry sauce – any kind. Ocean Spray makes (I think they still do) deluxe type cranberry sauces – my favorite was cranberry/orange. I’m going to try this recipe.
Can’t WAIT for your Christmas cookies!
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FrannieT — Reply
Try adding a little dried ginger to your cranberry sauce. Really makes it special.
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Penny Wolf — Reply
I love the simplicity of this recipe. Cranberries bring that much needed color to the Thanksgiving table.
Actually 2 years ago I made roasted brussel sprouts with maple syrup and bacon for the 1st time and it is a keeper. It just doesn’t compare to the soggy little army green balls of a vegtable that they are often made to be. -
This looks very good and easy!! I bought cranberries yesterday, I want to make your Upside Down Cranberry Cake. Have a great week, and thank you for sharing all of your wonderful recipes. I must save almost everyone of your e-mails with the intent of making!
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Katrina — Reply
Such a classic sauce!
