There's a reason homemade cranberry sauce is a holiday favorite. It's a world away from the canned stuff—vibrant, zesty, and so full of fresh flavor. This Easy Zesty Cranberry Sauce from Scratch is a simple, no-fuss recipe that takes just minutes to prepare and is an absolute game-changer for your holiday table.

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. The tartness of the cranberries is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the sugar and a bright, zesty note from fresh orange.1 As the cranberries pop and the sauce simmers, your kitchen will fill with an intoxicating aroma that signals the start of the holiday season. It's an essential side dish that you'll want to make for more than just a big feast.

Easy Zesty Cranberry Sauce from Scratch

Yields: 2 cups

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (12-ounce) bag of fresh or frozen cranberries2

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 cup water or fresh orange juice

  • 1 orange, zested and juiced

  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients

  1. Rinse Cranberries: Place the fresh or frozen cranberries in a colander and rinse them under cool water. Discard any cranberries that are soft or bruised.

  2. Add to Pot: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, water (or orange juice), orange zest, and a pinch of salt.

2. Cook the Sauce

  1. Bring to a Boil: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

  2. Simmer: Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let the sauce cook for 10-15 minutes. The cranberries will begin to pop, and the sauce will thicken as it cools.

  3. Thicken: Once most of the cranberries have popped and the sauce has reached a consistency you like, remove the saucepan from the heat.

3. Cool and Store

  1. Cool: Let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

  2. Chill: Transfer the sauce to a bowl or a jar and refrigerate until ready to serve.3 The sauce is best served chilled or at room temperature.

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Sauce

  • Frozen Cranberries Work: There's no need to thaw frozen cranberries before you start. They work just as well as fresh ones.

  • The Zest is Key: The orange zest is where most of the bright, zesty flavor comes from. Don't skip it! A fine microplane zester works best.

  • The Right Consistency: For a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend the cranberries.4 For a chunkier sauce, simply let them cook down naturally.

  • Make It Your Own: Feel free to add other flavors to the sauce. A cinnamon stick, a few cloves, or a touch of grated ginger are all wonderful additions.

  • Make Ahead: Cranberry sauce is perfect for making ahead. You can make it up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.