Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- Zest and juice of 1 orange (1 tablespoon zest and ¼ cup juice)
- ¼ cup water
- 3-4 tablespoons honey (or cane sugar)
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Pinch of fine salt
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the fresh cranberries, orange zest and juice, water, honey, cinnamon sticks, ground nutmeg, and salt. Stir to mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Allow the mixture to come to a rapid simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Continue to simmer gently for 15-17 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have softened, some have burst open, and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Remove Cinnamon Sticks: Take the saucepan off the heat and carefully remove the cinnamon sticks from the sauce. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serve or Store: Serve the cranberry sauce warm or at room temperature. Alternatively, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days for later use.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey or substituting with cane sugar.
- For a smoother sauce, mash the cranberries slightly after cooking or blend briefly.
- This sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated, allowing flavors to develop further.
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries interchangeably; just ensure frozen are thawed before cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
