Meet your new holiday MVP: a bright, jammy cranberry sauce made with just three simple ingredients. It comes together on the stovetop in 15 minutes and tastes so much fresher than canned. Make it ahead for stress-free holidays or whip it up for a weeknight roast.
Easy Cranberry Sauce 3 Ingredients (Ready in 15 Min)
Equipment
- 1 Medium nonreactive saucepan
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 Potato masher (optional)
- 1 Immersion blender (optional)
Ingredients
Cranberry Sauce
- 12 oz cranberries fresh or frozen; about 3 cups
- 1 cup granulated sugar or 3/4 cup maple syrup, or 2/3 to 3/4 cup honey
- 1 cup orange juice freshly squeezed, if possible
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 pinch fine sea salt (optional)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 splash vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
Make the Cranberry Sauce
- Rinse cranberries under cool water and pick out any shriveled or bruised berries.
- Add cranberries, sugar, and orange juice to a medium nonreactive saucepan. Stir to moisten the sugar.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium to medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most berries have popped and the mixture looks glossy and slightly thick, 8 to 12 minutes.
- For chunky sauce, leave as is. For a smoother style, lightly mash with a spoon or potato masher. Taste and add a little more sugar or a splash of orange juice if needed.
- Remove from heat. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes, then transfer to a jar and refrigerate at least 2 hours to set. Yields about 2 cups.
Notes
Nutrition
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cranberry Sauce (3 Ingredients)
- Only 3 ingredients and about 15 minutes on the stove.
- Perfect sweet-tart balance with a glossy, jammy finish.
- Make-ahead friendly and freezer friendly for easy hosting.
- Foolproof set thanks to cranberries’ natural pectin.
- Versatile beyond turkey night, from sandwiches to cheese boards.
Easy Cranberry Sauce (3 Ingredients) Ingredients & Substitutions
- Fresh or frozen cranberries (12 oz, about 3 cups): No need to thaw if frozen. Rinse and pick out any soft berries.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Classic sweetening and helps the sauce set. Swap with maple syrup (3/4 cup) or honey (2/3 to 3/4 cup) for a different flavor. Taste and adjust.
- Orange juice (1 cup): Freshly squeezed gives the brightest flavor. Sub with water + 1 tbsp orange zest or use apple cider for a slightly sweeter sauce.
Optional add-ins if you like: a pinch of fine sea salt, 1 tsp orange zest, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, or a splash of vanilla. Keep these as extras to stay true to the 3-ingredient base.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Easy Cranberry Sauce (3 Ingredients)
1. Rinse and Sort the Cranberries
Rinse cranberries under cool water and pick out any shriveled or bruised berries. This keeps the flavor clean and bright.
2. Combine Everything in a Saucepan
Add cranberries, sugar, and orange juice to a medium nonreactive saucepan. Stir to moisten the sugar.
3. Simmer Until Berries Pop
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium to medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most berries have popped and the mixture looks glossy and slightly thick, 8 to 12 minutes. Keep it at a gentle bubble, not a hard boil, to prevent scorching.
4. Adjust Texture and Sweetness
For chunky sauce, leave as is. For a smoother style, lightly mash with a spoon or potato masher. Taste and add a little more sugar or a splash of orange juice if needed to balance tartness.
5. Cool to Thicken
Remove from heat. The sauce will thicken significantly as it cools. Let it stand 15 to 20 minutes, then transfer to a jar and refrigerate at least 2 hours to set. Yields about 2 cups.
Tips for Success
- Use a nonreactive saucepan so the acid in cranberries and citrus does not pick up off flavors.
- Stir occasionally and keep the simmer gentle to avoid sticking.
- Stop cooking once it coats the back of a spoon. It thickens more as it cools.
- Too tart? Add 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar or a splash of orange juice. Too sweet? Add a teaspoon of lemon juice or extra zest.
- For ultra-smooth sauce, blend briefly with an immersion blender once off heat.
Variations of Easy Cranberry Sauce (3 Ingredients)
- Maple Cranberry Sauce: Use maple syrup instead of sugar for a warm, woodsy note.
- Port Cranberry Sauce: Replace half the orange juice with ruby port; finish with orange zest.
- Spiced: Simmer with a cinnamon stick, a few allspice berries, or a strip of orange peel. Remove before chilling.
- Ginger-Orange: Add 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger and extra zest for zip.
- Spicy-Lime: Stir in minced jalapeño and finish with lime zest and juice for heat and brightness.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Easy Cranberry Sauce (3 Ingredients)
- Classic pairings: roast turkey, chicken, or glazed ham.
- Cheese boards: brie, sharp cheddar, or goat cheese with crackers.
- Sandwich magic: leftover turkey, soft rolls, crisp lettuce, and a swipe of cranberry.
- Breakfast: swirl into yogurt, oatmeal, or spread on toast.
- Weeknight upgrade: spoon over pan-seared salmon or use as a glaze for meatballs.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: Store in a clean, airtight jar up to 7 to 10 days. Always use a clean spoon.
- Freeze: Up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat with a small splash of water or orange juice, or microwave in short bursts, stirring between each.
- Food safety: On a buffet, limit to 2 hours at room temperature, then refrigerate.
Memories Made Around the Table
One Thanksgiving, my niece insisted on tasting the sauce before dinner and gave it two enthusiastic thumbs up with cranberry stains to prove it. The best kind of review.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes. Use them straight from the freezer with no change to the recipe. They may take an extra minute or two to start popping.
Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely. Make up to 10 days in advance and refrigerate, or freeze up to 3 months. The flavor actually improves after a day.
How do I thicken or thin the sauce?
If too thin after cooling, simmer a few more minutes to reduce. If too thick, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons orange juice or water until it loosens.
Is this recipe vegan and gluten free?
Yes, it is naturally gluten free. For vegan, use organic cane sugar or maple syrup to avoid conventional sugar processed with bone char in some regions.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, but note that sugar helps balance tartness and aids setting. Start with 3/4 cup sugar or use 3/4 cup maple syrup, then adjust to taste.
Final Thoughts
This easy cranberry sauce is bright, reliable, and endlessly useful. Keep a jar in the fridge for holiday dinners and next-day sandwiches, and enjoy how those three simple ingredients can steal the show.