Description
Ina Garten’s Make Ahead Cranberry Sauce is a festive and flavorful holiday classic, perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas. This easy and versatile cranberry sauce can be prepared in advance, allowing busy hosts to enjoy their celebrations stress-free. Bright, tangy, and subtly sweet, it pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, stuffing, and breakfast dishes, making it an essential part of your holiday menu.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup water (if needed for adjustments)
Instructions
- Start by rinsing 12 ounces of fresh cranberries under cold water. Pick out any damaged berries and set aside.
- Pour the cranberries into a medium-sized saucepan. Add 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of orange juice, orange zest, and a pinch of salt. Include cinnamon if using. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries burst and release natural pectin, stirring occasionally. Add water if necessary to reach desired consistency.
- Transfer the sauce to a bowl or jar and cool completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- If sauce is too tart, add more sugar to taste.
- Adjust sweetness and spice levels according to your preferences.
- Use fresh cranberries for optimal flavor; frozen cranberries can work as well.
- Add chopped nuts or ginger for extra flavor complexity if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup (60g)
- Calories: 50 Kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg