Sauces, dips & dressings · British
Easy cranberry sauce
A bright, tangy homemade cranberry sauce with orange, ready in 15 minutes. Far better than a jar.
- Prep
- 5 mins
- Cook
- 10 mins
- Total
- 15 mins
- Serves
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Budget
Recipe: Easy cranberry sauce
Easy cranberry sauce
Ingredients
- 250g cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 100g light brown soft sugar, or caster
- 1 orange, zest and juice (about 75ml)
- 1 cinnamon stick, optional
Kitchen kit
- Small saucepan Search Amazon for small saucepan
- Clean jar with lid Search Amazon for glass jars with lids
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Method
-
Step 1: Simmer
Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over a medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
-
Step 2: Cook until popped
Simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened slightly.
-
Step 3: Cool
Remove the cinnamon stick, taste and add a little more sugar if needed. Cool – it thickens a lot as it cools.
Tips
- Frozen cranberries work just as well – no need to defrost.
- A splash of port stirred in at the end adds richness (it will no longer be suitable for children or alcohol-free guests).
Storing & reheating
Cool, then keep in a covered container or clean jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing
Freeze for up to 3 months; defrost in the fridge overnight.
Variations
- Spiced: add 2 cloves and a star anise.
- Cranberry and apple: add 1 peeled, diced eating apple with the berries.
Allergies: Always check the labels of the ingredients you buy for allergens — our dietary tags are a guide, not a guarantee.
From feeed.co.uk/recipes/cranberry-sauce/ · Checked 17 October 2026
Questions people ask
Can I make it ahead for Christmas?
Yes – freeze it in early December, or make it up to 5 days ahead and keep it in the fridge.
Why is my sauce too runny?
It thickens considerably as it cools. If still runny when cold, simmer for a few more minutes.
Sources & inspiration
Checked 17 October 2026. Written in our own words; we checked proportions, technique and food safety against:
- BBC Good Food: Cranberry sauce (quantities, oven temperature and timings compared) (bbcgoodfood.com)
- FSA: chilling and storing food safely (food.gov.uk)
See other recipes that use the same kit on our kitchen kit pages.
