Perfectly sweet and tangy, my mom’s fresh cranberry sauce recipe is an essential side dish for any Thanksgiving table. It’s so simple to make you’ll never go back to the canned stuff again!
Yep, you may never open a can of cranberry sauce again after one taste of this goodness!
We’ve got the perfect balance of sweetness to tartness in this lovely cranberry sauce and it’s absolutely packed with flavor from fresh orange zest, apple cider, and a little pinch of cinnamon.
Moms recipes don’t lie, y’all. You’ve got to add this one to your Thanksgiving menu!
The best part about this sauce is that it’s seriously the most EASY side dish to pull off! Everything simmers together in minutes in the same pot and you can make it days in advance as well.
This Cranberry Sauce features…
- Tart cranberries cooked in sweet apple cider and honey
- Flavorful orange zest and a pinch of ground cinnamon
- Minutes to make and goes well with a variety of dishes
Making the Cranberry Sauce
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Cranberries
- Apple cider
- Granulated sugar
- Honey
- Orange zest
- Cinnamon
- Rosemary
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries?
This recipe will work with both fresh and frozen cranberries. If you choose to go the frozen route, keep in mind though that it will take a little longer for the cranberries to cook down.
Tips for Perfect Cranberry Sauce
- Use apple cider instead of water – this adds so much flavor to the sauce.
- Use fresh orange zest – orange and cranberries are a natural flavor pairing and this adds lots of incredible citrus flavor to the sauce.
- Simmer sauce 10-15 minutes – this simmer time helps break down the cranberries and releases natural pectin that will thicken the sauce.
- Chill sauce before serving – the sauce will thicken up even more after chilled and tastes incredible.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this cranberry sauce.
- Try a different juice – try orange or pineapple juice in place of the apple cider.
- Use a different citrus – try lemon or lime zest in place of the orange.
- Add a different berry – try adding 1/2 cup blueberries or raspberries to the sauce.
How to Serve Cranberry Sauce
This cranberry sauce is best served chilled alongside a variety of other side dishes for a pop of flavor. We love it with a roast chicken or turkey, with mashed potatoes, stuffing, or roasted vegetables.
Trust me, your Thanksgiving is incomplete without this keeper cranberry sauce! The flavors all work so well together and it’s got the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
We usually end up eating this from the bowl with a spoon and for good reason!
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
Watch this cranberry sauce made step-by-step on Google web stories.
More ways to cook with cranberries!
Mom’s Fresh Cranberry Sauce
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Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz) bag fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup honey or agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Additional orange zest and rosemary sprigs for serving, optional
Instructions
- Combine cranberries, apple cider, sugar, honey, orange zest, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan.
- Bring cranberries to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until cranberries have broken down and sauce is thickened.
- Chill cranberry sauce before serving and serve with additional orange zest and rosemary sprigs for garnish. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 10/23/23.
Joanne says
Homemade cranberry sauce is one of my most favorite parts of Thanksgiving! It’s so true that once you go homemade you can’t go back. Your mom’s recipe is pretty similar to the one that I always make!
Sarah says
The sauce is my favorite part about Thanksgiving too, Joanne! Canned cranberry sauce just can’t beat it. 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This cranberry sauce looks mouthwatering, Sarah! Your mom sure knows how to make it! 🙂 And I’m so glad you’re sharing the recipe, too! I’ve never made my own sauce before, though I’ve always wanted to. This sounds like the perfect recipe! Pinned!
Sarah says
You totally need to give homemade cranberry sauce a try Gayle! You might just wanna grab a spoon for the end result. 😉
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Homemade cranberry sauce is the best. That was so nice of your mom to share her family recipe. Love everything in here, it looks absolutely gorgeous!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Kelly! You just can’t beat a mom’s holiday cooking, right?!
Cheryl says
You put the “crā” in cranberry! Haha. I love this though – would never have thought to use apple cider! I always see orange juice, which I think can make the orange flavor a bit strong since we always use orange zest anyway. This is the perfect balance! Yay mom!
Sarah says
Haha! Well thank ya, lady! You yourself are pretty much the Thanksgiving recipe-queen! 😉 and totally yes to the apple cider! It just does amazing things to this sauce. 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I eat so much cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving. Like, a spoonful with every bite of Turkey. I love that you add orange zest!
Sarah says
Haha! I’m totally the same way, Nat! I like a little turkey with my cranberry sauce. 😀
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
The apple cider is brilliant- what a great way to tie all the flavors of the holiday together! Looks absolutely gorgeous!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Sherri! The apple cider really does add something special to this sauce. 🙂
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes says
Your mom must be one smart lady 🙂 This cranberry sauce looks delish!
Sarah says
Thanks Vanessa! I personally believe my mom is a genius in the cranberry sauce department. 😉
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says
this makes me excited for thanksgiving!!
K / Pure & Complex says
You’re grandmothers cranberry sauce looks absolutely divine and a perfect addition to Thanksgiving.
Sarah says
Thank you!!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Moms recipes are the best! Thanks for sharing this with us Sarah, looks awesome!
Sarah says
Totally agree, Manali! Moms cooking is just unmatchable. 😉
Ashley says
I always hated the canned stuff … and then I tried homemade cranberry sauce – life changing! This version looks amazing with the apple cider! Must try that!
Sarah says
YES, homemade cranberry sauce is totally life-changing! Glad I’m not the only one who thinks so. 😉 Thanks Ashley!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
Don’t laugh at me but my daughter called me cray cray the other day and I had to ask my husband what that meant. Oh no I am getting old.
I love for the cranberry sauce to be slightly tangy and your mom’s recipe sound great. I will be making it to bring over to my mom’s since she is hosting Thanksgiving this year.
Sarah says
Hahaha! I laughed a little at that, but no worries! A lot of my family don’t know what “cray cray” means either. LOL.
And yay! You’ll have to let me know how this sauce turns out, Kathy!
Marcie says
I love fresh, whole berry cranberry sauce and I look so forward to it at Thanksgiving. I’ve never tried it with apple cider — that’s such a delicious idea! Great recipe, Sarah!
Sarah says
The apple cider really does wonders for the flavor of this sauce! It’s a nice change from the “tradional” cranberry sauce. 😉 Thanks Marcie!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
Hi Sarah, this cranberry sauce sounds wonderful!! Adding apple cider, cinnamon and orange zest is just brilliant.. love it!!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Arpita! All the ingredients just really work together in perfect harmony in this sauce. 🙂
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I could eat cranberry sauce by the spoonful! And I always love trying new recipes. A big thanks to your mom for sharing her recipe!
Sarah says
I’m right there with ‘ya on the whole cranberry sauce-by-the-spoon thing. 😉 Thanks Ashley!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
My dear, I love your mom’s recipe because of the apple cider. I’ve never added apple cider to my sauce. I bet it must taste awesome!!
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Olivia! The apple cider really does add a special flavor to these cranberries that we love. 🙂