Sweet and Tangy Cranberry Sauce with Sea Salt
A balanced cranberry sauce combining tart cranberries, sweetness, and a hint of sea salt to tame bitterness, perfect for holiday meals. This American-inspired holiday recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (about 340g) fresh cranberries
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 12 oz fresh cranberries, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tsp orange zest, and 1/2 cup fresh orange juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 tsp sea salt to balance the tartness and bitterness. Let cool to room temperature before serving or refrigerate for up to 1 week.







