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The best, easiest Cranberry Sauce for Two youโll ever make flavored with fresh orange juice and just a little sugar. This classic version makes enough for two people and is ready in under 10 minutes.
Tart, sweet, and spiced, my Grandmaโs โfamousโ homemade cranberry sauce recipe brightens up the plate and cleanses your palate in-between bites of mashed potatoes and gravy. And it cooks fast! No long simmering required.
At my house, no holiday dinner is complete without it.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Orange zest and juice: Zest the orange first, then juice it for the sauce.
- Cranberries:ย Fresh cranberries freeze really well, so stock up when you see them. If your cranberries are already frozen, no need to thaw. Just cook them straight from the freezer and add 2 minutes to the simmering time.
Step-by-step instructions
- In a saucepan, mix together the sugar, water, orange juice, orange zest,ย and salt and bring to a boil.
- As soon as the mixture boils, add the cranberries.
- Simmer until the berries begin to pop and break down, about 10 minutes.
- Cool, cover, and chill.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe uses only 6 ounces of cranberries to make 1 cup of sauce, enough for 2 (1/2-cup) servings or 4 (1/4-cup) servings.
- Storage:ย Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Make ahead:ย Cranberry sauce is a great recipe to make ahead of time. Cool the sauce completely, then keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Freezer:ย Cooled sauce can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- More sweeteners:ย This recipe calls for white sugar, but you can substitute brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey, to taste (the flavor will change, but not in a bad way).
- Customize your flavors: Omit the orange juice (swap in extra water if needed) and try vanilla extract, a splash of red wine, a cinnamon stick, a pinch of salt, or warming spices such as ginger and cloves.
- Classic Cranberry Sauce: Sweetened with orange juice and sugar, this classic Thanksgiving side dish is perfect for cutting through all the richness of the other holiday recipes.
- Cranberry sauce with apples:ย Add 1 cup of peeled andย diced applesย (about 4 ounces) and cinnamon for a delicious twist on cranberry sauce.
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce: When stove-top and oven space are in high demand, Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce is a no-brainer.
- Cranberry Relish: This no-cook version is 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep (plus 8 hours of chilling time so the flavors can blend).
- Leftovers:ย Extra cranberry sauce is delicious onย Leftover Turkey Sandwichesย or folded into my favoriteย Cranberry Cheesecake Galette. You can also drizzle it over ice cream for dessert (maybe add a handful of pecans?),ย pancakes,ย waffles, andย crepes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cranberries are usually available at the grocery stores starting in November and all through December. Personally, I like to stock up and vacuum-seal a few bags for the freezer!
There are five states that produce all the cranberries in the United States, and more than 50% come from Wisconsin. Massachusetts grows the second largest amount, about 30%, and the rest come from New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington.
More Thanksgiving recipes for two
Chicken and Turkey Recipes
Cornish Hens with Stuffing
Side Dish Recipes
Mashed Potatoes for Two
Side Dish Recipes
Green Bean Casserole for Two
Pie and Tart Recipes
Mini Pumpkin Pies
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Cranberry Sauce for Two
Ingredientsย
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon orange zest from 1 orange (see note 1)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt
- 6 ounces fresh cranberries picked over and rinsed (see note 2)
Instructionsย
- In a medium saucepan, bring sugar, water, orange zest, orange juice, and salt to boil.ย Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Stir in cranberries. Simmer until slightly thickened and the berries begin to pop, about 10 minutes.ย Remove from heat and cool to room temperature or chill.
Notes
- Orange zest and juice: Zest the orange first, then juice it for the sauce.
- Cranberries:ย Fresh cranberries freeze really well, so stock up when you see them. If your cranberries are already frozen, no need to thaw. Just cook them straight from the freezer and add 2 minutes to the simmering time.
- Yield: This recipe uses only 6 oz. cranberries to make 1 c. of sauce, enough for 2 (1/2-c.) servings or 4 (1/4-c.) servings.
- Storage:ย Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Iโve made this in past years and itโs a fantastic recipe for a small family. This year I am preparing it several days a head of time since my cranberries needed to be used up.
Can this be prepared and frozen and then defrosted for use later on?
Hi Jennifer! Iโm so glad you enjoy this recipe! Yes, the cooled sauce can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Hope you have a great holiday! โ Meggan
This is the recipe I used this weekend for me and my Mom since we didnโt have the big get together we normally do. It was delightful!