By Becky Hardin
Updated Nov 15, 2025
I love how this homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe is so quick and easy to make. Made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and just a couple of other simple ingredients, I always serve this classic side for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the best part, it only takes 15 minutes to prepare.
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Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
In this recipe, I’ve taken whole cranberries mixed with sugar and orange juice, and cooked them down into a sauce to create an irresistible flavor and texture. It just wouldn’t be a holiday feast without this sweet and tart side dish.
Although I’ve created a fairly classic cranberry sauce, you can make adjustments to this recipe. For a slightly warmer flavor, swap some or all of the granulated sugar for brown sugar and add a dash of vanilla extract . Or, try adding orange liqueur instead of orange juice for an extra festive twist.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ cup water
- ▢ ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from 2 oranges)
- ▢ ¾ cup granulated sugar add ¼ more if you prefer it sweeter
- ▢ 12 oz. cranberries fresh or frozen, if using frozen, no need to thaw
- ▢ 2 strips orange zest optional
- ▢ 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick optional
- ▢ ⅛ tsp kosher salt
Video
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water, orange juice, and sugar to a simmer. ½ cup water, ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice, ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Stir in the cranberries, orange zest and cinnamon stick, if using, and salt. Bring the mixture back to a simmer. Cook, stirring and mashing the berries occasionally, until the sauce has thickened. Note that it will thicken more as it cools. 12 oz. cranberries, 2 strips orange zest, 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- Discard the cinnamon stick and orange zest strips. Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill until you are ready to serve.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce Step by Step
Simmer the liquid ingredients with the sugar: Bring ½ cup of water, ½ cup of orange juice, and ¾ cup of sugar to a simmer in a medium-sized pot.
Add the remaining ingredients : Stir in 12 oz. of cranberries, 2 strips of orange zest and one 3″ stick of cinnamon, if using, and ⅛ of salt. Bring the mixture back to a simmer and cook, stirring and mashing the berries, until the sauce has thickened. Cranberries have a lot of natural pectin, so make sure to cook them until they burst open and release that pectin. If you leave the fruit whole, you will likely end up with a runny sauce. And, note the sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Discard cinnamon stick and zest : Discard the cinnamon stick and orange zest strips, transfer the sauce to a bowl, cover, and chill until you are ready to serve.
How to Store
Store leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. I like to serve it warm with our holiday meal, but enjoy it chilled when eating leftovers.
Freeze this easy cranberry sauce in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
My holiday table wouldn’t be complete without classic Thanksgiving dishes like turkey and turkey gravy . My favorite sides for the holiday feast are these classic mashed potatoes , and for vegetables, I like to add color to our plates, so creamed corn usually makes an appearance along with a green bean casserole .
more fruity compotes
Pear Butter
Apple Butter
Blueberry Compote
Lemon Curd
Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from 2 oranges)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar add ¼ more if you prefer it sweeter
- 12 oz. cranberries fresh or frozen, if using frozen, no need to thaw
- 2 strips orange zest optional
- 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick optional
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water, orange juice, and sugar to a simmer. ½ cup water, ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice, ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Stir in the cranberries, orange zest and cinnamon stick, if using, and salt. Bring the mixture back to a simmer. Cook, stirring and mashing the berries occasionally, until the sauce has thickened. Note that it will thicken more as it cools. 12 oz. cranberries, 2 strips orange zest, 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- Discard the cinnamon stick and orange zest strips. Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill until you are ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
