Name: Quick 3-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 12-oz bag cranberries (about 4 cups, 340 g); 1 cup orange juice (226 mL); ½ cup sugar (50 g)

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No more wobbly, canned cranberry sauce sitting awkwardly on the holiday table—this homemade cranberry sauce is here to steal the show! With just 3 ingredients, 3 steps, and 15 minutes, it’s fresh, tangy, and ridiculously easy to make. (Trust me, once you try it, there’s no going back to store-bought.)

A close up view detailing the texture of cranberry sauce

Your Holiday Table Needs This

The holidays are here, which means it’s time for cozy baking, family gatherings, and, of course, feasting. And no Thanksgiving or Christmas table is complete without a bowl of fresh, homemade cranberry sauce!

With just three simple ingredients, this cranberry sauce is as easy as it gets, friends. Choose from fresh or frozen crans, offset their tartness with just the right amount of sugar, and finish everything with a splash of orange juice.

The result? A perfectly sweet, tangy, and citrusy sauce that even the cranberry skeptics (yes, even the kiddos) will go crazy for. Whether you’re team cranberry sauce or not, this foolproof recipe is about to win everyone over!

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“Perfect cranberry recipe!!” —Imur

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A white bowl filled with homemade cranberry sauce and garnished with two orange slices

Let’s Talk Ingredients

You’ll need only three ingredients for this cranberry sauce, which is pretty sweet if you ask me! Jump to the recipe card for exact measurements—this is an overview!

Cranberries: First up, cranberries! You’ll need about 4 cups, so a 12 oz bag should do. (You can use fresh or frozen berries—no need to thaw if using frozen!)
Orange Juice: We’ll use a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice for a zesty, tangy complement to the cranberries’ tartness. If you’re using store-bought, go for pure orange juice (no added sugar or concentrate).
Sugar: Cranberries are naturally quite tart, so some sugar helps round out the flavors and give the sauce that perfect sweet-tart balance. Want to tweak the sweetness? Start with ½ cup, then adjust to taste! If you prefer a natural alternative, try honey (or maple syrup to keep it vegan).

Making This Cranberry Sauce Is A Breeze

This cranberry sauce is ready in 15 minutes and requires only three simple steps: combine, cook, and cool! (Jump to the recipe card for the full printable instructions.)

Step 1: Combine The Ingredients
To begin, add everything to a large pot.

A pot filled with cranberries and sugar — Give your sauce a good stir every few minutes to help break down the berries evenly.

Step 2: Cook The Sauce
Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst.

A pot filled with simmering cranberry sauce ingredients — Your cranberries will still look a little saucy at this point, but don’t worry—they thicken up beautifully as they cool.

Step 3: Cool And Thicken
Remove the cranberries from the heat and let the sauce cool completely.

A pot filled with cooked homemade cranberry sauce ingredients — Love a smooth cranberry sauce? Blend it up with an immersion blender! Prefer it chunky? Give it a light mash with a fork instead.

The perfect prep-ahead dish

Homemade cranberry sauce is one of those rare dishes that actually gets better with time. Letting it chill in the fridge for a day or two helps the flavors meld together for an even richer, more delicious taste! Feel free to make this a few days before you need it. Just cover it and store it in the fridge!

Make It Your Own

The best part about homemade fruit sauce? You can swap ingredients to create totally unique (but equally delicious) flavors! Love strawberries? Swap them in—but since they’re naturally sweeter than cranberries, you’ll want to dial back the sugar.

Want an extra zesty kick? Use whole oranges, adding both the juice and zest for maximum citrus notes. Feeling cozy? Cinnamon, ground ginger, or a splash of vanilla extract will do the trick. And if you’re feeling adventurous, a little bourbon or Grand Marnier takes this sauce to the next level.

A white bowl filled with cranberry sauce and garnished with orange slices

The More, The Berrier

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A close-up of a spoon in a bowl of chunky red cranberry sauce showcases the rich texture and vibrant hue, highlighting the cranberries natural allure.

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