I have a confession. I was 30 years old when I realized not all cranberry sauce is canned. It’s true. I had no idea that homemade cranberry sauce was a thing… and even more so that it was EASY to make!
And now I’m never going back to canned again.
Silly me thought that the bags of cranberries in the grocery store were for floating candle decor and homemade garland. So when I purchased my first bag with the intent of making homemade cranberry sauce, I was shocked with how easy and how delicious it really is!
After researching several recipes, I settled on my own that uses less sugar (meaning you can eat more!)
This year we’ll be making mini jars to deliver to our neighbors the week of Thanksgiving. I’ve included links and a free tag printable below if this post inspires you to do the same!
So y’all, read on to see just how easy four ingredient homemade cranberry sauce is and promise me you’ll never resort to the canned stuff again!
Ingredients
(makes 24oz cranberry sauce)
4 cups cranberries (rinsed)
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp cinnamon
Directions
1. Add all ingredients to sauce pan, stir to combine.
2. Set heat to medium high (7.5 on my stove!) and bring to a boil. This will take approximately 7 minutes. You’ll start to hear the cranberries pop – my favorite part!
3. Let boil 2-3 minutes, stirring gently but continuously. (Use a dark colored utensil – not a brand new wood spoon! Otherwise it will be a pretty pink spoon.)
4. Reduce heat to medium low (4 on my stove) and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. You’ll notice a foam form across the top of the sauce. Some recipes instruct to skim it with a spoon. But, if you keep stirring as the sauce simmers the foam will incorporate itself!
6. Continue to stir sauce until almost all cranberries have popped. You can gently burst any others with the back of the spoon.
7. Remove pan from heat and let cool a few minutes, then transfer to a serving or storage container to cool completely.
Homemade cranberry sauce should be stored in a refrigerator and lasts up to a week. Perfect for prepping that Thanksgiving meal early!
Make & Take!
Every year we try to do a homemade treat for our neighbors. Last year it was pumpkin bread. This year it’s cranberry sauce!
The recipe above will make 3 8oz jars of homemade cranberry sauce. These cute, class Ball mason jars are perfect to deliver to your neighbors. (p.s. they’re available with 2 hour Whole Foods Amazon Prime delivery!)
I went old school by adding a linen fabric circle before screwing on the ring! Add a simple tag and you’re ready to spread the love!
Loving our neighbor is the second commandment Jesus gave his disciples. It’s easy for us to sneak away into our hopes, avoid conversation and keep to ourselves. It’s home after all, our escape. But that’s not what we’re called to do. We’re called to connect, support and love them. Relationships start somewhere, even just a simple jar of cranberry sauce.
If you like this gift in a jar, check out my spiced tea latte mix in a jar recipe too! Perfect for neighbors, teachers, the mailman and alllll your girlfriends.
