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Best Ever Cranberry Sauce

Best ever cranberry sauce made with a quick simmer that turns fresh cranberries jammy and glossy. Simmer until most berries burst, then finish with orange zest and vanilla and chill for a thicker set.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 140
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cranberry sauce
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 0.75 cup orange juice
  • 0.25 cup water
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 salt pinch
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Cook the base
  1. In a saucepan, combine both sugars, orange juice, water, cinnamon stick, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the surface looks clear and even.
  2. Add the fresh cranberries to the pan and return to a boil. Cook until you see bubbles actively breaking around the berries.
  3. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and keep it there for 10-12 minutes, stirring often. Simmer until most berries burst and the sauce thickens and looks glossy enough to coat a spoon.
  4. Remove from the heat and stir in orange zest and vanilla extract. Discard the cinnamon stick and mix until the zest disperses and the sauce looks uniformly red.
Cool and chill
  1. Cool the cranberry sauce to room temperature. Once warm, it should look thicker and more cohesive than when it was just simmered.
  2. Chill the sauce until it thickens further. Serve cold, spooning it into a bowl so the surface holds shape.

Notes

Pro tip: simmer just until most berries burst—continue cooking too long and the sauce can become overly thick. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days; you can also freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge. For a lower-sugar option, replace the granulated and brown sugar with an equal-measured sugar substitute blend made for cooking to maintain a similar thickness and sheen.