I love cranberries and I am always going to be team cranberry sauce when there is a turkey dinner. Yes, you also need the gravy, but that tart but the sweet hit of cranberry sauce just elevates your turkey to a new level. Now, your sauce doesn’t need to be complicated, and because of that, nor should it come from a can. I get it; sometimes we forget or run out of time but this recipe is so easy you’ll hardly have any excuses.

Sometimes cranberries can be difficult to find in some stores. I just went shopping to get some so I can make the cranberry sauce for our Christmas dinner, and Urban Fare had zero cranberries. I was shocked, but I’ll just hit up whole foods where I always see them.

You don’t have to use fresh cranberries to make this. This recipe can be used with both fresh or frozen cranberries and no one will know any different.

Easy Cranberry Sauce

What you’ll need

• 1 lb cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 orange zested and juiced

Cranberry Sauce Directions:

In a pot combine your cranberries, water and sugar and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat, pop in the cinnamon stick allspice and nutmeg and simmer for an additional 7 or so minutes. Some cranberries may burst and others may not. If too liquidy for your taste, continue to simmer over a low heat and sauce will continue to thicken.

Add your juiced orange and zest, stir in and allow to cool before serving.

I typically make my cranberry sauce a couple of days prior and let sit in the fridge until ready to use.

Christmas & Cranberries

Is it just me, or does Christmas just scream cranberries? I don’t know if that’s perfect rich red colour, or what, but cranberries definitely hit the best during Christmas. Sometimes if I am looking to make a festive cocktail, i’ll muddle some of the cranberry sauce with some vodka or tequila and soda and add a couple of fresh cranberries to top it off.

A fresh and homemade cranberry sauce will always pair well with a homemade gravy. I have yet to perfect my gravy skills, but my aunt has it down to a science. Basically, we make the perfect team for turkey accessories – cranberry sauce and gravy – made from scratch.

I do also think that cranberry sauce pairs well with mashed potatoes. Maybe i’m just a little weird, but some cranberry sauce droppped on my mashed potatoes last year, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Cranberries are delicious – whether just for a cranberry sauce, cocktail or an accidental new flavour combo – and I feel like they don’t get enough recognition. They help add some additional flavour to you turkey and is the perfect pairing to gravy. And they add a pop of colour, which always makes my heart happy.

Are you team cranberry sauce or no? If not, are you not a huge fan of cranberries in general? If you don’t like because you’ve only had from the can, this cranberry sauce is a game changer. Let’s give a little more love and recognition to the cranberry!

If you try this, let me know!