This Homemade Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce Recipe is true perfection – especially if you love all things cranberry. If you grew up on the canned sauce you will be shocked and amazed at how incredible this sauce is. It is beautiful to look at and easy to make too.
The Homemade Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce below is a classic. It is tart and sweet, citrusy and tangy with that unique cranberry goodness you would expect. The best part is, you control what goes into it – no high fructose corn syrup in this recipe.
This will become a new family tradition for your holiday table. If you’re looking for a sugar free version, check out How to Make Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce.
Need more classic Thanksgiving recipes, check this link for holiday time.
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What We Love About This Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce Recipe
This truly is one of the easiest and BEST homemade cranberry sauce recipes. It’s super easy to make. A cranberry is actually from a group of evergreen dwarf shrubs or trailing vines with a lot of health benefits, find out the details here. Grown in a bog called cranberry bogs by local and Ocean Spray growers, these North American (USA) cranberries make their appearance the same time of year – early to mid fall.
This recipe with the tangy taste of fresh Ocean Spray cranberries will become a staple for your holiday meal. The tangy, sweet taste of whole berried cranberry sauce made with ocean spray cranberries really brightens a meal.
- 30 Minutes: It is so quick and easy to make.
- Easy Ingredients: You need only 4 ingredients.
- Family Friendly: It is so good it like a dessert.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Perfect for sandwiches the next day.
Ingredient Notes
- Fresh Cranberries: An entire package of fresh cranberries.
- Sugar: You can use a sugar substitute if you prefer.
- Orange Zest: It truly enhances the flavor.
Equipment Needed
How to Make This Cranberry Compote
These are the basic steps for making ocean spray cranberry sauces. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and daily value for nutrient information.
STEP 1: iN A MEDIUM SAUCEPAN
Begin by reserving 1/2 cup of the cranberries and set aside. Add remaining cups cranberries and other ingredients to a sauce pan and then cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
STEP 2: SIMMER
Turn up the heat to medium and boil for 12 minutes longer, or until the berries start to burst. Reduce heat to low and stir in remaining berries. Taste and add more sugar if needed. This step brings all of the flavors together.
STEP 3: COOL
Finally, remove from heat and cool completely at room temperature and then refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Prep and Storage Tips
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Of course, that is the best part. This homemade cranberry sauce recipe will last up to two weeks in the fridge in an airtight container.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store the Homemade Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce in an airtight container.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Indeed, it will last up to three months in the freezer in an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make the recipe with a sugar substitute to make it a little healthier.
Of course, try adding lemon zest or lime zest to this dish.
Yes, make as little or as much as you need for the occasion.
That is a great question, it is just not a side for turkey. It is a wonderful topper for pork, ice cream, a spread for a chicken sandwich or even as a filing for french toast or coffee cake. Get creative.
Expert Tips for Making This Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Add nuts: A little crunch can really enhance the flavor of you sauce. So try pecans or walnuts.
- Variation tip: Try tangerines, mandarin oranges, blueberries or cherries, even pears.
- Alternate ingredient: Sugar substitute can be used to reduce the calories.
- Liquor: A splash of you favorite orange liquor will really work well in this too.
What to Serve with Cranberry Sauce
Did you try this recipe?
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Homemade Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries, divided
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 strip orange zest
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the cranberries and set aside.
- Add remaining ingredients to a sauce pan.
- Cook on low for 10 minutes.
- Turn up the heat to medium and cook for 12 minutes longer, or until the berries start to burst.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in remaining berries.
- Taste and add more sugar if needed.
- Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Video
Expert Tips
- Add nuts: A little crunch can really enhance the flavor of you sauce. So try pecans or walnuts.
- Variation tip: Try tangerines, mandarin oranges, blueberries or cherries, even pears.
- Alternate ingredient: Sugar substitute can be used to reduce the calories.
- Liquor: A splash of you favorite orange liquor will really work well in this too.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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This is my new go-to cranberry sauce recipe!
Only 2 tablespoons of water, correct? Other recipes use 1 cup of water, so I wanted to make sure. Thanks.
2 tablespoons is correct.
SO much better than the canned stuff — and really easy, too!
This cranberry sauce tastes so much better than the canned version and it’s so easy to make too! Love the hint of orange.
This looks so good for Thanksgiving. I like that it can be made ahead to save time later!
Love this recipe! The thought of Cranberry sauce makes me so excited for Thanksgiving!