The Frizzled Leek

  • Chef Services
  • Recipes
    • Whole30 Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Summer
  • Contact
  • About
  • Hire a Chef!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Summer
    • Contact
    • About
    • Hire a Chef!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    • Tuna Caesar salad in a large round white bowl with wooden serving spoons.
      Tuna Caesar Salad (High-Protein + Meal Prep Friendly)
    • A mason jar filled with a Caesar salad dressing without anchovies.
      Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies
    • A filet of blackened salmon on top of a salad of leaf lettuce, mango salsa, and sliced avocados.
      Healthy Mango Salmon Salad (Rubio's Copycat)
    • Hot cross buns inside of a bread basket for Easter Brunch.
      Hot Cross Buns with Candied Citrus and Lemon Glaze
    • Air fryer scones stacked on top of each other on a wooden cutting board, showing their golden brown tops.
      Easy Air Fryer Scones (No Oven Needed!)
    • A blackberry muffin resting on a paper muffin liner with a large bite taken out it.
      Banana Blackberry Oatmeal Muffins
    • Strawberry muffins, whole strawberries, and white chocolate chips inside a muffin pan.
      Strawberry White Chocolate Muffins (Bakery-Style)
    • Three blueberry and cottage cheese muffins stacked on top of each other.
      Blueberry and Cottage Cheese Muffins
    • Lemon curd muffins positioned in different angles inside of an old muffin tin.
      Lemon Curd Muffins
    • Kumquat jam inside of a glass jar with a spoon.
      Kumquat Jam
    • Chou Farci with one slice removed, revealing layers of tender cabbage, and filling on a rustic serving plate.
      Chou Farci (French Stuffed Cabbage)
    • Horseradish salmon filets on a oval platter with a parsnip puree.
      Horseradish Crusted Baked Salmon
    Frizzled Leek » Recipes » Sauces

    Published: Sep 15, 2021 •Modified: Apr 1, 2023 by Mike Cleavenger • This post may contain affiliate links, which can earn us a commission • Leave a Comment

    Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce with Maple Syrup

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    This Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce with Maple Syrup is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. With only 7 ingredients, this quick cranberry sauce is sweet, tangy, and slightly spiced.

    Quick homemade cranberry sauce on a platter with juniper leaves. this recipe

    Elevate your holiday table with Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce! As the holiday season approaches, it's time to start thinking about those comforting dishes that make gatherings so special.

    You'll love the bright, sweet, tart flavors wrapped around a slice of my Sous Vide Thanksgiving Turkey, Sous Vide Ham, or spread on these Air Fryer Dinner Rolls.

    If you're like me, you want a cranberry sauce that’s simple and quick. This recipe uses just 7 ingredients and takes only 15 minutes to make!

    My cranberry sauce is so easy to make that it puts that canned stuff to shame. I like to use it as a topping on my Air Fryer Baked Brie.

    You can serve this sauce warm or cold in your favorite dish. Make it 3-4 days ahead of Thanksgiving or Christmas, so you can focus on more important tasks like roasting the turkey!

    Cranberry sauce and our Almond Toffee make the perfect gift for co-workers, family, and friends!

    P.S. Don’t forget to share your beautiful cranberry sauce creations with me on Instagram! Tag me @thefrizzledleek so I can see and share your festive spreads.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Key Ingredients
    • Substitutions + Variations
    • How To Make Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
    • Chef Tips
    • Storage
    • FAQ's
    • More Thanksgiving Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Whole Berries: Cranberries are bursting with juice, creating a rich, thick sauce with bits of whole berries throughout.
    • Perfect for gatherings: Cranberry sauce puts smiles on people's faces, especially around the holidays.
    • Quick and Easy: With only 7 ingredients and minimal cooking time, you can whip this up in less than 15 minutes.
    • Versatile: Not just for Thanksgiving turkey! Cranberry sauce is great with my Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin, meatballs, and baked brie.

    Key Ingredients

    Here is a list of the cranberry sauce ingredients you'll need to make the recipe. I like to buy 4-6 bags of fresh cranberries and freeze them, so I can make cranberry sauce all year!

    Quick homemade cranberry sauce ingredients

    Cranberries

    Fresh or frozen cranberries both work great. To test how fresh your cranberries are, drop them on your table and the higher they bounce the fresher they are. Cranberries are tart and acidic but become incredibly delicious when sweetened with maple syrup or sugar.

    Did you know cranberries make a delicious simple syrup? Try my Christmas Gin Cocktail made with cranberry simple syrup to find out!

    Maple Syrup

    Traditional cranberry sauce is made with granulated sugar, but maple syrup has a natural sweet flavor and makes this recipe paleo-friendly. Also, when you think of the holidays, don't you think of maple syrup?

    Apple Juice

    Instead of using water, I wanted to use apple juice (apple cider works too) for its sweetness, and apples and cranberries are a delicious combination. Even some cranberry sauce recipes use fresh sliced apples in them.

    Orange

    We use both the orange zest and juice in this recipe. The zest of the orange has more orange flavor than the juice. Use a microplane to zest the orange and only remove the bright orange peel and not the white pith.

    Spices

    Star anise and a cinnamon stick are toasted in a dry pan to release those holiday aromas. Fresh ginger is then grated into the cranberry sauce for that delicious taste.

    Substitutions + Variations

    • Sliced Apples - add one peeled, cored, and sliced apple to the sauce
    • Dried Fruit - adding dried fruit like apricots or figs, contribute a nice flavor and texture
    • Nuts - chopped pistachios blend perfectly with sweet and tart fruit like cranberries
    • Wines and Spirits - A splash of port wine or Grand Marnier will elevate your sauce.

    How To Make Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

    Toasting a cinnamon stick and star anise in a dry pan.

    Step 1. In a medium saucepan, add star anise and a cinnamon stick, and toast over medium heat for about 2 minutes, or until the spices become fragrant.

    Pouring maple syrup into a saucepan to make a cranberry sauce.

    Step 2. Add the maple syrup and bring it to a simmer.

    Simmering star anise and cinnamon sticks in maple syrup.

    Step 3. Simmer the spices and maple syrup over medium-low heat for 5 minutes to let the flavors infuse.

    Fresh cranberries and spices inside of a saucepan.

    Step 4. Add in fresh cranberries and ginger and cook for 5 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop.

    A microplane with orange zest on it.

    Step 5. Use a microplane to zest one orange, removing only the bright orange peel and avoiding the bitter white pith.

    Adding orange zest to a pot of cranberry sauce.

    Step 6. Sprinkle the orange zest over the top of the cranberries.

    Pouring apple juice into a saucepan to make cranberry sauce.

    Step 7. Pour in the apple juice and the juice of the zested orange.

    Stirring cranberry sauce with a wooden spoon.

    Step 8. Cook the cranberry sauce for 8-10 minutes, or until it begins to thicken. Serve immediately, or let it cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Chef Tips

    • Make a big batch. You will be enjoying this quick homemade cranberry sauce from the beginning of fall through the new year. Block out one evening and make a large batch of cranberry sauce, and CAN it all! Not only will you have this delicious condiment all holiday season, but it's also the perfect stocking stuffer or gift basket addition.
    • Don't overcook the sauce. Too much pectin is released, making your sauce way too thick. The skin of the cranberries becomes hard to eat.
    • Spice it up! Sure all you need to make cranberry sauce is sugar, water, and cranberries, but that is boring. Orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and cardamon can make your Thanksgiving topper delicious!
    • Stock up on cranberries. Buy 4-6 bags of fresh cranberries and freeze them to make cranberry sauce all year.
    • Prep cranberry sauce ahead of time. The more things you can prep in advance for Thanksgiving and Christmas the better.
    Quick homemade cranberry sauce in a small bowl

    Storage

    Refrigerator: Cool sauce down to room temperature and transfer to an air-tight container and refrigerate for 4-5 days.

    Freezer: Transfer the cranberry sauce to an air-tight container or ziplock back to prevent freezer burn. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

    Cranberry Sauce Canning Instructions

    • Boil water in a large 8-12 quart pot.
    • Boil mason jars and lids for 10 minutes to sanitize
    • Spoon the HOT cranberry sauce into mason jars, and fill to the top
    • Secure with lids, and place jars gently back into the large pot of water. (The jars must be completely covered with water)
    • Boil for 15 minutes
    • Remove the jars from the hot water and place them on the counter. You will hear a popping sound indicating your jars are sealed.
    • Now you are ready to give away as gifts or store away for the holidays!
    Fresh cranberries in a bowl preparing to make my quick homemade cranberry sauce

    FAQ's

    What do you eat cranberry sauce with?

    Excellent condiment for turkey, ham, pork, and chicken. Top oven-roasted squash or top your meatloaf with cranberry sauce.

    Should cranberry sauce be served hot or cold?

    You can serve cold or at room temperature. If you are using it as a glaze, serve it hot.

    Why didn't my cranberry sauce thicken?

    Let the sauce cook and reduce more. Cranberries release a natural thickener called pectin with its fiber. If your sauce still won't thicken add pectin, gelatin, or a cornstarch slurry.

    What to do with leftover cranberry sauce?

    The day after Thanksgiving I take the leftover rolls, turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce and make an epic sandwich.

    More Thanksgiving Recipes

    • Dinner rolls inside of a wire bread basket.
      Air Fryer Dinner Rolls From Scratch
    • Pouring gravy over the top of the turkey.
      Sous Vide Thanksgiving Turkey
    • Slicing a glazed ham with a carving knife and fork.
      Sous Vide Spiral Ham with Pineapple Glaze
    • sweet potato souffle with pecans
      Sweet Potato Souffle with Pecans

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @thefrizzledleek on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

    📖 Recipe

    cranberry sauce with orange zest

    Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce Recipe

    Mike Cleavenger
    This Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce with Maple Syrup is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. With only 7 ingredients, this quick cranberry sauce is sweet, tangy, and slightly spiced.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course condiment, sauce, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 109 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 2 star anise pods
    • ⅔ cup maple sryup Grade A or B
    • 12 ounces cranberries fresh or frozen
    • 1 orange zest and juiced
    • ½ cup apple juice
    • 1 tablespoon ginger grated

    Instructions
     

    • In a medim-size saucepan toast the star anise and cinnamon for 2 minutes on medium-low heat.
    • Pour in maple syrup and bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Add in cranberries and ginger and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
    • Pour in apple juice, orange juice, and zest.  Cook for 10 minutes on medium-low heat stirring to help the cranberries break down.
    • Remove the cinnamon stick and star anise.  Transfer to a serving dish or refrigerate. 

    Notes

    • Use good quality maple syrup. When buying your syrup, either buy grade A or B. Grade A is the highest rating because it's the sweetest. Grade B has a darker color and is less sweet.
    • Make a big batch. You will be enjoying this quick homemade cranberry sauce from the beginning of fall through the new year. Block out one evening and make a large batch of cranberry sauce, and CAN it all! Not only will you have this delicious condiment all holiday season, but it's also the perfect stocking stuffer or gift basket addition.
    • Don't overcook the sauce. Too much pectin is released, making your sauce way too thick. The skin of the cranberries becomes hard to eat.
    • Spice it up! Sure all you need to make cranberry sauce is sugar, water, and cranberries, but that is boring. Orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and cardamon can make your Thanksgiving topper delicious!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on instagram. Tag @thefrizzledleek and hashtag it #thefrizzledleek.

    More Homemade Sauces

    • A gold plated spoon inside of a jar of lemon curd.
      Sous Vide Lemon Curd
    • Maple Dijon dressing inside of a round glass mason jar.
      Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
    • pickled red onions featured image
      Hibiscus Pickled Red Onions (Sweet and Tangy)
    • Featured image of corned beef brining in a solutions.
      Corned Beef Brine Recipe (Everything you need to know)

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Wearing a chef jacket standing with my arms crossed in front of floating shelves.

    Hi, I'm Mike!

    I'm a chef, husband, and father of two beautiful girls. The Frizzled Leek is a blog about getting families back in the kitchen. Here you won't just follow recipes, you will be developing your cooking skills too!

    More about me →

    Summer Favorites

    • A filet of blackened salmon on top of a salad of leaf lettuce, mango salsa, and sliced avocados.
      Healthy Mango Salmon Salad (Rubio's Copycat)
    • A chicken burger with lettuce, tomato, and chipotle sauce dripping down the edges.
      Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken Burgers
    • Horseradish salmon filets on a oval platter with a parsnip puree.
      Horseradish Crusted Baked Salmon
    • Featured image of jerk chicken drumsticks on a cedar plank.
      Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Drumsticks (Jamaican Style)
    • Sous vide corn on the cob on a large round plate with butter and cilantro.
      Sous Vide Corn On The Cob Recipe
    • Tomato, peach, and burrata salad on a oval white platter with crusty french bread.
      Tomato Peach Burrata Salad

    Most Popular

    • bowl of crispy sweet potatoes
      Air Fryer Crispy Sweet Potato Cubes
    • Two swordfish steaks on a round plate garnished with parsley and lemon.
      Air Fryer Swordfish Steaks Recipe
    • Two breaded and crispy chicken breast served with a arugula salad.
      What to Serve with Chicken Schnitzel (19 Best Side Dishes)
    • Three slices of toast with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon garnished with fresh dill.
      Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs
    • oats with berries
      How to make oatmeal with eggs
    • salmon stew in large bowl with spoon
      Easy One-Pot Salmon Stew
    • Dinner rolls inside of a wire bread basket.
      Air Fryer Dinner Rolls From Scratch
    • Ribeye steak in cast iron skillet.
      Sous Vide Angus Ribeye Steak (Boneless Ribeye)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Info

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    • Website Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Statement

    Resources

    • Blogging Resources

    Lets connect!

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 The Frizzled Leek

    cranberry sauce with orange zest
    cranberry sauce with cinnamon and ginger
    cranberry sauce in a small bowl
    cranberry sauce ingredients
    cranberry sauce

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.