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Easy Cranberry Sauce

Easy Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest and Cinnamon

A simple and delicious cranberry sauce recipe, perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday. This recipe uses fresh or frozen cranberries and is ready in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces Fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1 Orange zested and juiced
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon Orange liqueur (optional) Grand Marnier or Cointreau
  • 1/4 teaspoon Pinch of salt

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Combine cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt in a medium saucepan.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
  3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the orange juice and optional orange liqueur.
  5. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Add more sugar if desired.
  6. Let the sauce cool completely before serving. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
  7. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

For a smoother sauce, you can blend a portion of the cooled sauce with an immersion blender before serving. This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.