This traditional Thanksgiving cranberry sauce is a must have side dish at your holiday meal. Made from fresh whole cranberries with a hint of orange flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I’ll be honest, I could live without cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, but it just doesn’t seem right to skip it. So if you’re looking for a cranberry sauce recipe that’s almost as easy as opening a can, this Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce is for you!
This really is so simple to make, and it’s so much better than the canned stuff. Not to mention, with it’s gorgeous red color, it looks so pretty on the table.
It’s so quick and easy to make, my kids can do it with minimal supervision (and who doesn’t need extra help in the kitchen on Thanksgiving?). And you only need five ingredients.
Even better, it can be made several days in advance, which is a big plus when you’re planning a large holiday meal.
I’m all about easy, make-ahead recipes when I’m planning a big holiday feast. In fact, I try to prep almost everything except the turkey before Thanksgiving day.
Because cranberries are so seasonal, I usually stock up as soon as they appear in stores–usually around the beginning of October. They freeze well, and I love having them on hand for all kinds of holiday recipes.
In fact, I always make sure to keep a few bags in my freezer after the holidays are over, just in case I get in the holiday baking mood before fresh cranberries turn up in the stores again.
I do love having cranberry sauce for making turkey sandwiches after Thanksgiving is over. Maybe I couldn’t live without the cranberry sauce after all.
After all, cranberry sauce is kind of a holiday tradition, and it’s the traditions that make holidays so special. So even if no one eats it, I’ll probably keep right on serving this cranberry sauce at every Thanksgiving dinner.
Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Ingredients
- Produce: fresh cranberries, oranges
- Orange juice
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce package cranberries
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine orange juice and sugar in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Add cranberries, cinnamon and orange zest and return to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and boil gently for about 10 minutes, or until cranberries begin to pop. Cool completely at room temperature then refrigerate until serving.
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Nutrition
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11 comments
Elba
I loved it tastes great and easy to make
Thanks
Happy Holidays
Kels
Does the orange juice mean juice from an orange or actual breakfast OJ?
Danelle
You can use either one.
Luane Brickhouse
I tried this recipe for Thanksgiving this year and loved it so much I am also making it again for Christmas, for the Duck. I’m picking about my gourmet food and this one is a winner!
Happy Holidays
Tammy
When do you add the cinnamon???
Danelle
With the cranberries.
Lupe Downing
Can this recipe be water bathed canned?
Brenda
I’m looking for ways to use whole berry cranberry sauce in other recipes
Jessica Hassen
Thanks!!
Jessica Hassen
How long would this stay fresh for??
Danelle
I’d say up to a week in the refrigerator Jessica.