An easy 3-ingredient cranberry sauce recipe made with fresh cranberries, sugar and an orange. It’s simple to make from scratch and tastes better than the canned version.
Pair this classic holiday side dish with roasted turkey and other sides including creamy mashed potatoes and a homemade dinner rolls!
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3 Ingredient Cranberry Sauce Recipe
You can’t have a holiday dinner without cranberry sauce on the menu! It’s one of the classics and tastes amazing served alongside cornbread stuffing, easy cheesy potatoes and sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.
This easy 3-ingredient cranberry sauce is almost as easy as opening up the can and tastes SO much better! The addition of fresh orange juice and orange zest really takes the flavor up a notch. Prep it ahead for your holiday this year, it’s a staple Thanksgiving side dish.
Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Cranberries: Look for fresh cranberries that are bright red in color and firm to touch.
- Orange: This recipe uses the juice and zest of a fresh orange.
- Sugar: Add granulated sugar to give it the perfect sweetness. For a healthier alternative, you may use pure honey or maple syrup.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce
This from scratch cranberry sauce is so easy to make!
- Combine the orange (juice + zest), sugar and water in a medium pan over medium heat and bring to a light boil.
- Stir in the cranberries and a pinch of salt.
- Cook for about 10 minutes, or until most of the cranberries have burst.
- Mash the cranberries if you prefer a smooth sauce. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Favorite Ways to Use Leftovers
Cranberry sauce is a traditional relish that tastes delicious on top of roasted chicken or baked ham. There are lots of other yummy ways to use up the leftovers (if you have any).
- Place on top of baked brie or make these delicious brie and cranberry bites
- Use it for these delicious cranberry turkey sliders!
- Make my favorite cranberry meatballs
- Serve over top of yogurt or oatmeal
- Top your waffles or pancakes with a spoonful
- Serve warm over vanilla ice cream or even make this apple crisp with the leftovers
More holiday side dishes include easy crockpot stuffing, classic green bean casserole, or simple sweet potato casserole.
More Cranberry Recipes
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Easy 3-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries (12 ounce bag)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 orange
- Pinch Kosher salt
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Gather ingredients. Zest the orange and then cut in half. Juice the orange into a small bowl and remove any seeds.
- On the stovetop, place 1 1/2 cups cranberries, 1 cup sugar, fresh orange juice, orange zest, salt and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a light boil over medium heat.
- Continue to cook until the cranberries have burst and it has thickened (about 10 minutes). Mash the cranberries if you prefer a smoother sauce.
- Remove from heat and put the sauce in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
Adding in extra flavor, texture, or just changing the recipe may help for some people. For this recipe, you can add in orange juice, pineapple, cinnamon, or pecans. All these extra ingredients will enhance this cranberry sauce for the better!
Sometimes cranberry sauce can be a bit too bitter! Don’t reach for the sugar though, try maple syrup or even honey. These ingredients will help alter that bitter taste.
I typically serve it cold since I make it a few days in advance and store it in the fridge. If you’re serving it warm, you can easily make it ahead of time and then place it in the slow cooker on the warm setting. It will make your home smell amazing!
his sauce will keep in the refrigerator for about 1-2 weeks. It’s the perfect holiday side dish to make ahead of time and stick in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Plus the flavors marinate together wonderfully when stored in the fridge! Just place in an airtight container and stick in the fridge until serving.
t can easily be stored in the freezer a few weeks before serving. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag. To thaw, stick in the fridge overnight. You can serve cold or warm up in a sauce pan or slow cooker, whichever you prefer.
Categorized as: American, Christmas, Condiments, Dairy-Free, Freezer-Friendly, Sauces, Stovetop, Thanksgiving, Vegan
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
The best cranberry sauce – love your recipe. It my go-to every year!
Glad you like it, Melissa. I hope this makes a great addition to your Thanksgiving meal!
This was delicious!! So easy to make and now I’m going to make it again for Thanksgiving for sure.
I am glad you were able to try this out before the actual holiday, Jessica. This should be a hit for sure!
Love this cranberry sauce!
It is such a good one. Glad you liked it. Thank you for sharing.
It was too sweet. I made it again with 6 cups cranberries and 1 3/4 cups sugar, and was perfect.
I’m glad you were able to make the recipe work for you, Nicole :)
Homemade cranberry sauce is the absolute best. I made it about 6 yrs ago the first time and we have never gone back since then.
I agree! Thanks for your comment and review, Amy :)
Looks delicious. I know my family would love this!
I love cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries! Thanks for the recipe, will be trying it for holidays!
Can you use rehydrated cranberries?
Hi Lori! This recipe works best with fresh cranberries.
This was so easy to make and tastes great.
So I let my daughter make this delicious recipe. The orange definitely takes that bite away from the cranberries.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review Amber! :)
Love everything
I love how easy this is to make! Great recipe for the Holidays without taking up a lot of time!
This looks really good! Great to try for Thanksgiving!
How fun I love how different this recipe is.
Wow, this is stunning! I want to try it out! This recipe really impresses! Your recipe of cranberry sauce is so tender. I like the simple list of ingredients. YUM!
Looks incredibly yummy! I love how simple and easy to make this classic side dish, a must try!
I could cranberry sauce all year long! This looks great!
I LOVE how simple the ingredient list is. Sometime the most delicious things are made so simply!