Ina Garten Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Need a festive side that steals the show? This Ina Garten Cranberry Sauce Recipe is simple and bursting with flavor. Learn how to make Ina Garten Cranberry Sauce with fresh cranberries and orange zest.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries one bag
- 1 cup sugar white granulated
- 1 orange zest and juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Prep the Ingredients
- Rinse cranberries under cold water. Pick out any soft ones. Zest the orange peel finely. Juice the orange. Measure sugar and water. Break cinnamon stick lightly.
Start the Simmer
- In saucepan, combine sugar, water, orange juice and zest. Add cinnamon stick. Bring to boil over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves completely.
Add Cranberries
- Dump in cranberries. Stir well. Bring back to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer 10 minutes uncovered.
Cook Until Thick
- Cranberries will pop and burst. Stir every 2 minutes. Sauce thickens as it cooks. Look for jam-like texture. Takes about 12-15 minutes total.
Finish and Cool
- Remove from heat. Pull out cinnamon stick. Stir in vanilla and salt. Let cool 30 minutes. It thickens more as it sits.
Store or Serve
- Pour into jar or bowl. Refrigerate until ready. Serve chilled or room temp. Garnish with extra zest if pretty.
Notes
- Use frozen cranberries if fresh unavailable – no thawing needed.
- Swap sugar for honey: Use 3/4 cup for natural sweetness.
- Add chopped apple in step 3 for chunky texture.
- Boozy twist: Stir in 2 tbsp Grand Marnier at end.
- Spicy kick: Add 1/4 tsp grated ginger with zest.
- Less sweet: Cut sugar to 3/4 cup, taste midway.
- Double batch freezes perfectly in ice cube trays.