Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Mandarin Oranges | Classic Holiday Side Dish

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey adds sweetness with a different flavor profile.

fresh cranberries

🥗Healthier: dried cranberries

💰Cheaper: frozen cranberries

Dried cranberries are sweeter and easier to store.

Get a medium-sized saucepan that is generous in size to accommodate the bubbling cranberries.

Add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to the saucepan.

Bring the sugar and water mixture to a boil.

Once boiling, add the whole package of fresh cranberries to the saucepan.

Bring the mixture back to a boil after adding the cranberries.

Reduce the heat and let it boil gently for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

After 8 minutes, observe that the mixture is thickening and the cranberries are starting to split.

Add mandarin oranges to the saucepan, reserving a few segments for garnish.

Let it simmer for an additional 3 minutes to infuse the mandarin orange flavor into the cranberries.

Taste the sauce to check for sweetness and doneness, noting that it will thicken further as it cools.

Consider dividing the cranberry sauce into two bowls for serving if hosting a large gathering.

Let the sauce cool to room temperature, or refrigerate it to serve later. It can be served at room temperature or heated in the microwave if desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary