Cranberry Sauce
AI-generated image
Vegan Gluten-free American

Cranberry Sauce

A bright, jewel-toned cranberry sauce simmered with orange, maple, and warm spices. It balances tart berries with gentle sweetness and keeps enough texture to spoon alongside roast poultry, pork, or a holiday grain dish.

25 min 8 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Rinse the cranberries and discard any shriveled berries. Zest the orange finely, then juice it until you have 60 ml.
2
Combine the cranberries, sugar, maple syrup, orange zest, orange juice, water, cinnamon, and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir until the sugar is moistened.
3
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. The berries will begin to pop and the syrup will look glossy, about 4 to 5 minutes.
4
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until most berries have burst and the sauce lightly coats a spoon while remaining somewhat loose.
Thick cranberry sauce with whole and burst berries AI-generated image
5
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Taste once cooled for a minute, adding a small pinch more salt if the fruit needs balance.
6
Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl and cool for at least 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, or serve at cool room temperature; it will set further as it cools.
Cranberry sauce served in a bowl at a holiday table AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Cranberries provide natural pectin, so a short simmer creates a spoonable sauce without added gelatin. Orange zest and juice sharpen the fruit, while maple syrup and cinnamon soften its tart edge without making it taste flat or overly sweet.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cool completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 7 days. The sauce thickens as it chills.

How to reheat it

Reheat gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just warmed; add a splash of water if it has become too thick. It may also be served cold.

Nutrition / serving

105kcal
0.35 gprotein
26.80 gcarbs
0.06 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 14 Aug 2026 · updated 14 Aug 2026