Easy Cranberry Sauce (Naturally Sweetened)

Name: Easy Cranberry Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries; 1 large orange, juiced (~1/4 cup of juice)*; 1 tsp orange zest; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1/4 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 tbsp Cointreau or Grand Marnier (or another orange liqueur)

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Our go-to family recipe for homemade cranberry sauce is made with mandarin orange juice and zest, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and spiced with cinnamon. Plus, with just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes of cook time, it's quick and easy to make.

overhead view of cranberry sauce in a black bowl garnished with orange slice and cinnamon stick.

It's perfectly tart and sweet, but completely refined sugar free. A welcome addition to your Thanksgiving spread!

I know everyone has their own personal preference (and surprisingly strong feelings) about cranberry sauce (or relish, whatever you call it). But please, for the love of god, ditch the canned stuff!!

Fresh cranberry sauce tastes SO much better, and it honestly couldn't be easier to make.

If you're worried about overdoing it with prep time on Thanksgiving Day, you can even make this ahead of time! All you have to do is reheat it and spoon it into a pretty serving bowl. So really, there are no excuses for the canned stuff this year.

overhead view of fresh cranberries in a bowl.

We've been making this easy cranberry sauce in our house for years now. It's naturally sweetened with maple syrup, so it's a bit lighter than most recipes.

We also use orange juice (actually, mandarin or tangerine juice is even better!), zest and orange liqueur to complement the tartness of the cranberries. A dash of cinnamon adds just enough warmth to balance everything out.

Give our sauce a try this year. We promise you'll never go back to the gelatinous, canned stuff.

overhead view of fresh cranberries in a pot with cinnamon sticks.

Ingredients

Cranberries: fresh or frozen
Orange juice and zest: regular orange is fine, just make sure it's fresh-squeezed! For extra flavor, we prefer using fresh mandarin or tangerine juice and zest. It's seriously good – try it!
Maple syrup: the real stuff, not pancake syrup!
Cinnamon: since this doesn't simmer for very long, ground cinnamon is best.
Orange liqueur: like Cointreau or Grand Marnier. You can also use a dash of red wine.

close up view of half peeled mandarin orange.

Instructions

Add everything to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir well, then bring to a simmer.

The cranberries will start to pop as they soften. Give the sauce a stir every once in a while to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom.

Once the cranberries are softened (about 10-15 minutes of simmering), use the back of a wooden spoon or a masher to gently mash them. Once mashed, the sauce will start to thicken.

If you'd prefer a smooth sauce, you can blend it (or use an immersion blender). We prefer to keep it au natural with a bit of texture, but it's up to you! Remove from heat and serve warm, or refrigerate before serving if preferred.

You can make this cranberry sauce up to 7-10 days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Recipe Tips

How do I fix cranberry sauce that's too sweet?

If your sauce is too sweet, add something acidic and slightly bitter, like a splash of red wine or orange liqueur. A pinch of salt should also help balance the flavors. If the sweetness overwhelms the other flavors, try adding in extra orange zest.

How can you make cranberry sauce less tart?

The short answer: more sugar. However, if you're not wanting to increase the amount of sugar, try adding a finely diced, peeled apple or pear to your sauce for natural sweetness. It may have to cook down for a few extra minutes to soften.

Can you freeze cranberry sauce?

Yes. Store leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Can you use frozen cranberries?

Yes, absolutely! Frozen cranberries are often less expensive than fresh and easier to find. We always keep a bag in the freezer (they're also great in smoothies!). No need to defrost them – simply add to the recipe as usual.

How do you make cranberry sauce thicker?

If your sauce is too thin, crank up the heat and let the cranberries simmer and reduce. The longer it cooks, the thicker the sauce should be.

Should cranberry sauce be served hot or cold?

Cranberry sauce can be served warm, room temperature or cold. It's completely up to you. I personally prefer it warmed up, but it's great straight from the fridge with Thanksgiving leftovers!

overhead view of cranberry sauce in a large pot garnished with orange slice and cinnamon stick.

More cranberry recipes to try:

All stocked up on fresh cranberries? Don't let them go to waste!

Cranberry Crumb Bars – these easy vegan & gluten free bars have a buttery oat crust and crumb topping with a tart cranberry filling. Perfect for Thanksgiving dessert!
Carrot Apple Cranberry Muffins – for Thanksgiving Day snacking 😉
Bread Pudding with Cranberries and Cardamom
Try cranberry juice in a Cranberry Orange Mimosa or this holiday-favorite Cranberry Orange Whiskey Cocktail.

close up view of fresh cranberries in a pot with cinnamon sticks

You can also freeze fresh cranberries to use throughout the year. Spread fresh cranberries in an even layer on a sheet pan and freeze. Transfer to a sealed bag or container and store for 6+ months.

More Thanksgiving side dishes:

If you make this naturally sweetened cranberry sauce, we’d love for you to leave a comment and rating below! We also love to see your creations on Instagram – tag us at @crowded_kitchen so we can see what you’ve been cooking.