Homemade Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

December 16, 2020

Homemade Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce is almost as easy as opening a can.

We love cranberry sauce with our Christmas dinner and we usually open a can of the stuff and dig in. But just as easy as opening a can of sauce is making it yourself. It will take a bit longer but it's not hard at all. You cook it and cool it and that's about all there is to it.

My mouth is watering thinking about Christmas dinner and this delicious Homemade Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce. I particularly like it made with the orange juice and orange zest but plain is very good also.

If you happen to come across a good sale on fresh cranberries, grab a few packages and freeze them until you need them. I was fortunate enough to find such a bargain at one of our local grocery stores. I couldn't believe the price and had to check with one of the fellows working in produce. They were only 99¢ a bag so I grabbed up about eight bags for future cooking and baking.

This homemade sauce would be delicious in Frozen Holiday Cranberry Salad or Cranberry Cheesecake Dessert Squares.

Printable recipe at end of post.

Homemade Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (340 g/12 oz bag)
1 cup water or orange juice
1 cup sugar
Grated zest of 1 orange, optional but recommended if using orange juice

How to make it:

Rinse and pick over fresh cranberries for any debris. Place all ingredients in a sauce pan over medium high heat and bring to a gentle boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries have popped and the sauce is of a chunky consistency. The sauce may seem watery but will thicken when cooled.

Makes approximately 3 cups of sauce or 24 servings, 2 tablespoons each.