10 Minute Cranberry Sauce Recipe from Scratch
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10 Minute Cranberry Sauce recipe from scratch is a mainstay on the holiday table you never want to miss. Tangy and sweet with whole fresh cranberries, a little sugar, and the zest of an orange. It’s the holidays in every bite.
Skip the canned cranberry sauce and opt for a delicious, 3 ingredient version homemade and from scratch. It’s so incredibly delicious and will be a beautiful addition to your holiday table.
Plus… it’s simple. As in really, really simple.
It’s one holiday recipe you don’t need to worry about until the last minute.
Or make it ahead and have it ready. Either way… it’s the simplest dish you’ll make during the holidays.
But, oh my, would it be missed if it weren’t there. One of those mainstays, like butter and preserves… and olives and pickles, that you might not think about when planning your meal. Such an unassuming dish.
Neglect it no more! Making your own is so easy, you have to try it at least once.
And… while I love it at the Thanksgiving and Christmas table, smeared on a roasted turkey sandwich for leftovers is a joy not to be missed.
3 Ingredients for this 10 Minute Cranberry Sauce Recipe
4 cups or 1 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries
1 orange, zested and juiced
sugar
How Long Does it Take to Make This Cranberry Sauce Recipe?
It takes me 15 minutes all in to make this cranberry sauce recipe.
A couple of minutes, if that, to rinse the cranberries and add the cranberries, sugar, orange zest and juice to the saucepan.
Bringing the sauce to a boil takes no more than 3 or 4 minutes. And the sauce will cook for about 10 minutes or less. You’re simply waiting for the berries to pop. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
You can serve it immediately or refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

10 Minute Cranberry Sauce from Scratch
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh cranberries 12-ounce bag
- 1 cup sugar
- 2-3 strips of orange zest
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Instructions
- Rinse and sort the cranberries, discarding any that are bruised or soft.
- In a large saucepan, add the combine the cranberries, sugar, orange zest water, and orange juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, or until the berries begin to pop. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.