Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce is like pie without ice cream! You will never find a dish that is easier to make than Fresh Cranberry Sauce. It consists of boiling water, adding sugar and cranberries…that’s it!
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cranberry sauce? Congealed stuff, giggling when you force it out of the can in one long, thick clump. The ridges of the can imprinted on its sides…oh my. That’s my childhood memory of cranberry sauce. Even in the congealed state, it was still one of my favorite Thanksgiving dinner items. I’m huge on sweet and salty together, and cranberry sauce is an essential holiday menu item in my book. If you haven’t tried to make cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries, you are about to be pleasantly surprised. I love to make a few variations of cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner. A couple of my favorites are Apple Spice Cranberry Sauce and Fresh Cranberry, Orange and Dried Cherry Sauce.
Do you want to contribute to Thanksgiving dinner this year, but don’t have time to make anything time consuming? Call up the host and volunteer to make Fresh Cranberry Sauce. If you have a pan, sugar, fresh cranberries and a few minutes, you can do this. One tip, make sure to use a pan that holds at least 2 quarts. The mixture will boil and bubble up a bit. If you use a pan that is too small, you’ll end up with a big mess on the stove. It takes 15 minutes start to finish to make Fresh Cranberry Sauce. I’m huge on make-ahead at holiday time, and this dish is the perfect make ahead dish!
Make a batch (or two) of Fresh Cranberry Sauce this weekend, and store it until Thanksgiving Day. I always double this recipe!
Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup orange juice*
- 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 to 1 cup sugar- depending on how sweet or tart you like your sauce
- 1 - 12 oz bag fresh cranberries washed and remove any shriveled berries
Instructions
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Bring orange juice, water and sugar to boil in a large sauce pan.
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Add cranberries, cook until berries begin to pop and the skins burst.
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Lower heat and cook until sauce begins to thicken a bit, about 3-5 minutes.
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Remove from heat.
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When cooled, spoon into a bowl or mason jar, and store in refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
-This sauce may be made with all orange juice or all water, or half of each.
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My Mom gave me this recipe from you a few years ago and we have loved it. Thanks for all the great recipes you post. BTW, I think my Dad's favorite activity of all time is "Pie Night"–we had Thanksgiving early last year becuase of Katharine's Wedding and so he had to miss Pie Night–it nearly killed him.
So–here's a little entry for your things you are grateful for. For me, this year I have been most grateful for my children. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being with them. I love how they make me feel. I love the way they stretch me and help me to grow. Love being a Mom.
The thing I am most grateful for this year is my salvation, in Jesus Christ. Without Him there is nothing to be grateful for.
I am grateful for my three beautiful boys. They bring me so much joy! 🙂 Have I told you lately that I LOVE your blog!!!
Oh how I LOVE pie! I could eat it 24/7! I'm grateful for my family. I can't wait to have my two oldest son's home from college for a few days. Once their home you can be sure to hear them and their siblings all laughing together as they share their silly stories.
I found your blog recently and love it! How nice that there is a giveaway too 🙂 Pick me
I forgot…. I am grateful for good health!
Such wonderful information–thank you! What I am most thankful for at this time of year: The depth and breadth of experience the previous 10 months have given me. I love the idea that maybe I'm doing a little better THIS November than last November. That's one of the points of Earthlife 101 afterall–to learn from our exeperiences!
Such wonderful information–thank you! What I am most thankful for at this time of year: The depth and breadth of experience the previous 10 months have given me. I love the idea that maybe I'm doing a little better THIS November than last November. That's one of the points of Earthlife 101 afterall–to learn from our exeperiences!
I am thankful for blogs like yours so I can learn how to cook. I was too busy playing sports while growing and missed all that time in the kitchen with my Mom.
C.D.
This pie sounds delish! I'll be trying it along with the chocolate truffle cake I tasted at R.S.
I'm most thankful to be getting a new grandchild. Seeing my grandchildren always make me happy and grateful!
Hi! I would say I am greatful for my family. I am greatful for them all year long but especially this time of year!
I am grateful for everything I have. Especially wonderful friends like you who bring me yummy food. I am also very grateful that I live in such a wonderful area and have so many great people to help out in raising my children.
This year I am thankful for my children to share this Thanksgiving and Christmas season with– they make holidays so much fun!
I Love Love Love thie giggles I hear in the house when my girls are actually getting along.(one who is 3 and one who is 1) We are housebound with cold weather and forced to make things in our home "fun". Building forts, making music with pots and pans. It is the best!
I really love your blog and your pie look absolutely awesome and delicious!! gloria
Im grateful for my kids, for my family, for health and all things God give me everyday!
And Im grateful for the bloger friends!!
gloria
Love your blog! The photos are to-die-for!
I just got back from a viewing, and I didn't think I'd be as choked up as I was, and (although it's terribly cliched) I was reminded of how grateful I am for my family and husband…they've gotten me through a tough year and always lend an ear (and humor me when I go crazy!).
On a light note, I'm thankful it's Friday!!!
I am loving your blog! I've made 2 of the cookie recipes and a salad…delicious! Looking forward to trying more.
I'm thankful Abby and Brooke can experience China together 🙂
I am thankful for my family and all the love they have given me I as have gone through this year.
Love that flaky crust. I am most thankful for hope, peace in my heart and love from family and friends
Looks delicious. I am so grateful for my husband who helps me out a ton!
I am blessed and thankful to be a missionary mom. Even though you miss them during the holidays, the old saying "you wouldn't want them anywhere else" truly applies! Thanks for all your delicious recipes. Keep them coming!!!
As for me, I am grateful for family, friends and a good life. I have been blessed. I also love Si's blog!
This pie is my absolute favorite, too. I am thankful for Si, for pie night, and for a holiday that brings my whole family (well, almost) home to eat good food and just be together. It's a happy, wonderful time.
I am grateful for a a great family, neighbors and friends!
Love your blog :] I am most grateful that my father is now cancer FREE! & going strong again :]
I LOVE your blog! You have the most wonderful recipes. This one sounds particularly fabulous. I am going to have to try it. Thanks for all the work you go to sharing your fabulous recipes.
I'm grateful to be going to Hawaii for Thanksgiving (and not having to cook)!
I am so thankful this year for my Young Womens leaders. Those who give their time, money, materials and love for the pure service of others makes me smile. My leaders inspire me to become the virtuous, amazing mothers, friends, and role models they are to me and those around them. They mold me into who I am and who I wish to become.
I am thankful and grateful for each day of my life.I had given my nine brothers and sisters a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner this year along with their children and grandchildren.I have three wonderful adult children an adopted child and in the process of adopting two foster children who have gone up for adoption who have been in my care for the last six years.I am from Canada and it was a beautiful sunny Thanksgiving weekend,after having a little light snowfall a week ago. I love baking ,cooling and reading and sharing recipes especially pie recipes.Happy Canadian/American Thanksgiving to one and all.
Hi, I made this yesterday as a trial run for Thanksgiving. It was delicious, but so runny! Any ideas to thicken it up? I followed the recipe exact…? Maybe more flour? A friend recommended a tsp. of tapioca pudding to thicken. Any help would be greatly appreciated before I make it for the big day. 🙂
Did you use the 1/2 cup of flour in the filling? It is almost impossible to have this pie turn out runny with the flour included!
I did. Not sure what happened. It’s still delicious though.
This year im so grateful for the birth of our daughter. Her sweet little spirit has brought the spirit into our home. Im so excited to have her with us this year for the holidays!
That is so exciting, Elva! There’s nothing more special the first holiday with a new baby. Thanks for sharing,
xo
Si
I am most grateful for health and My Savior, Jesus Christ.
I couldn’t agree more, Julia. Thanks for sharing!
xo
Si
Thank you for the sharing of so many wonderful recipes. I am most grateful for this upcoming holiday season as it may be the last we have with some dear family members. Blessings to you.
You’re very welcome, Robin. That’s what makes the holidays so special. I love spending time with family and sharing recipes. Thanks for your comment and for reading ABK!
xo
Si
I want to make this pie for Thanksgiving this year l, but I am allergic to almond so I couldn’t use the extract. Will it still be ok? Is there a substitute to use?
Hi Jenny, I would use vanilla extract instead, Hope this helps and thanks for asking!
xo
Si
Almond extract ~ I’m guessing you meant a different flavoring since she said she’s allergic to Almond extract. Wonderful recipes ~ love watching you on Brooke Walker’s show Happy Thanksgiving ~ so grateful for The Gospel of Jesus Christ, Family & our free country.
oops yes, meant to say vanilla! Thanks so much!
I want to try this pie recipe after seeing so many glowing reviews on your Instagram stories. My favorite apple pie has a top crumb mixture instead of a top crust. Do you think that I could just use that on this pie? Have you ever tried a crumb topping with this pie, or do you think that using a top pie crust is vital to how the flavor and texture turns out?
Hi Jennifer, I haven’t tried a crumble on this pie before, but I think it would turn out great. It’s just whether you prefer a crumble or top pie crust, I’ve always used a top pie crust. Hope this helps and thanks for asking!
xo
Si
I’ve never made this pie with a regular pie crust topping, I always use my favorite crumb topping and its amazing!
I have been following you on Instagram for over a year and I love your posts and your recipes. I had always wanted to make this pie for quite some time and I finally did for my in-laws Thanksgiving dinner and it was a hit! Everyone loved it and it was super delicious and heavenly! I just had my holiday work party today and my coworkers said you better bring that pie you made on Thanksgiving so I did. Again, it was a complete HIT and everyone loved it! It was the best dessert to end a wonderful work party and to kick off the holiday season. This recipe is definitely good for the soul. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
-Chris N
Love this pie! WI has awesome fresh cranberries and apples and it made for a delicious pie. 10/10 would make again.
This is my favorite pie! I buy extra cranberries in the fall and freeze them so I can make it for my birthday in June each year.
My husband & I enjoyed your apple cranberry pie so much that we took it to get together with some of our good friends. We appreciate you putting together this wonderful blog. Thank you!
You’re very welcome, thanks for sharing and for reading ABK!
xo
Si
I made this pie yesterday and it was AMAZING! Thank you for sharing the recipe! I haven’t made very many pies but the instructions were easy to follow and it turned out great! This will be a staple at my pie nights in the future.
I think this will become an annual Thanksgiving pie for us-it was DE-LISH!! Thank you thank you!! 🥧
I hope it does, Sarah! This is my absolute favorite pie to make. Thanks for sharing,
xo
Si
I made this today for my husband’s birthday – he requested it over cake! It really is SO good. The tricky part is Fresh Cranberries are NOWHERE to be found at the end of February. Luckily, after searching all the local grocery stores, I found some frozen ones at Natural Grocer that worked just as well.
I agree Michelle, cranberries are so hard to find this time of year, but I’m so glad you found them and enjoyed this recipe, you’re husband has good taste! 🙂 Thank you for sharing,
xo
Si
I took this class years ago and won this pie. Our Favorite pie ever since! We make it every year! (Because it’s always requested! ) The crust is easy and it turns out perfect, tall, and delicious every time.
THIS RECIPE WAS A SMASH FOR THANKSGIVING!!! Everyone loved it and there wasn’t a crumb left!
A FIVE STAR WINNER!
Wow. Thank you Donna! It is our absolute favorite pie recipe at Thanksgiving! I appreciate you taking the time to leave this review!
xo
Si