This easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange recipe has just four ingredients – perfect for your holiday table!
I’ve got a quick, easy and mandatory-for-Thanksgiving recipe for you today: a super easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce that will knock off your Thanksgiving socks.
Maybe a slight exaggeration – can a simple homemade cranberry sauce really be that fantastic? The cranberry sauce always seems to be my menu afterthought; one of those “Oh, and I can’t forget to make the cranberry sauce!” type of recipes. But Thanksgiving just would not feel like Thanksgiving without it. And, after making countless variations, this is the one I’ve happily settled on.
Here’s the thing about homemade cranberry sauce vs. the canned stuff: for starters, homemade has so much more flavor. I know, I know…I have friends who swear on canned because it’s what they grew up with and therefore love. And I get that, I do.
But if that’s not the reason you’re not serving homemade cranberry sauce on your holiday table then, with all due respect, it’s time for a change.
Homemade is so easy and fast to make not to mention it’s a perfect make-ahead recipe so you don’t have to even think about it on the big day. In fact, my biggest issue is always remembering to put it on the table!
This recipe has a subtle orange flavor. No cinnamon or other spices, I like a straightforward cranberry flavor. If you prefer even more, feel free to omit the orange zest and juice and add the same amount of water. However you like it, it will taste great with your juicy turkey!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a very safe, happy and delicious day!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange
Ingredients
- 1 12- ounce package fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 3 large strips orange zest
- large pinch salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir gently and frequently until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium. Continue to stir frequently and cook until cranberries start to pop and split.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool. Remove orange zest and chill until ready to serve.
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Carolyn Ward
Thursday 28th of November 2019
I think you need to add water to the ingredients...
Kristy Bernardo
Wednesday 4th of December 2019
Nope.
Tricia Weaver
Friday 20th of November 2015
Any chance this could be made in crockpot?
Kristy Bernardo
Saturday 21st of November 2015
Hi Tricia, I haven't tried it but I don't see why not. Let me know how it works for you!
Mary Frances
Friday 13th of November 2015
That looks amazing!! Never tried cranberry sauce and yes, such a great idea to make it for thanksgiving.I'm sure my family and friends would love it! Thanks :)
Kristy Bernardo
Saturday 14th of November 2015
Thanks, MF!
chefindisguise
Thursday 27th of November 2014
Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange http://t.co/phn0KUxpKc via @thewickednoodle
TheSpicedLife
Thursday 27th of November 2014
Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange http://t.co/M5Lk4F466q via @thewickednoodle