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Best Ever Cranberry Sauce

Best ever cranberry sauce simmers fresh cranberries with orange juice and zest until most berries burst and the sauce thickens. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes for an even thicker, spoonable texture.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Cooling 30 minutes
Total Time 47 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 123
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 0.5 cup orange juice
  • 0.25 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 bag (12 oz) cranberries fresh, picked over and rinsed
  • 1 tsp orange zest finely grated

Equipment

  • 1 2-quart saucepan

Method
 

  1. In a 2-quart saucepan, stir together the granulated sugar, water, orange juice, and kosher salt over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil.
  2. Stir in the cranberries and orange zest.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened.
  4. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
  5. Let the sauce cool for at least 30 minutes; it will thicken further as it cools.

Notes

For the best texture, let the sauce cool fully before serving. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 7 days; freezer-friendly for up to 3 months. For a lower-refined-sugar option, use an equal amount of coconut sugar.