Is it better to make cranberry sauce with fresh, dried, or frozen cranberries?

I find that it’s best to use fresh cranberries. Dried cranberries often contain added sugar and can be difficult to break down or thicken into a sauce. On the other hand, frozen cranberries can sometimes be a bit bitter and create a slightly watery consistency. If all you can find is frozen cranberries, those will work.

Can I substitute orange juice for water when making cranberry sauce?

Definitely! I find that adding a citrus fruit, such as orange juice or lemon juice, helps brighten the flavors. Orange juice is great because it can even help reduce the amount of sugar needed in the sauce, since it contributes some sweetness. I prefer to use half water and half orange juice.

What should you add to a cranberry sauce recipe to give it a little more flavor?

I love the flavor and warmth that orange juice, shredded orange peel, cinnamon, and nutmeg add to this homemade cranberry sauce. If you want to add a little extra oomph or more sweetness, feel free to include some lemon zest, 1-2 tablespoons more white sugar or brown sugar, chopped pecans for texture, or even a dash of allspice.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Servings: 6-8 (2 cups) 1x

Ingredients

12 ounces fresh cranberries
Zest and juice of 1 orange (1 tablespoon zest and ¼ cup juice)
¼ cup water
3–4 tablespoons honey (may use cane sugar)
2 whole cinnamon sticks
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Pinch of fine salt

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Instructions

In a saucepan over medium heat, add all ingredients. Stir and let the mixture come to a rapid simmer, then reduce heat to low and continue at a gentle simmer for 15-17 minutes or until the cranberries are soft, some of them have burst, and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Remove from heat and remove the cinnamon sticks. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools slightly.
Serve or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Calories: 48
Fat: 0 g
(Sat Fat: 0 g)
Sodium: 28 mg
Carbohydrate: 12 g
(Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 9 g)
Protein: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 g

Dietary

Dairy-Free Egg-Free Gluten-free Grain-Free Nut-free

Recipe By: Ana Ankeny