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Easy Cranberry Sauce in a bowl.
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Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe

This is hands-down the BEST Cranberry Sauce recipe! It isn't your average holiday cranberry sauce...it's SO much better. While many cranberry sauce recipes are overly sweet, this variation is made with red wine and thyme for deep, full flavors that bring out the cranberries and are perfectly balanced. It pairs well with savory meats, as well as breads and other holiday side dishes. If you're looking for an easy, perfect cranberry sauce for your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu, you'll LOVE this one!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 91kcal
Author Christine McMichael

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries or frozen
  • 2 cups red wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Add the cranberries, red wine, salt, sugar, sage, and thyme to a sauce pan and simmer on medium heat.
  • After 5 minutes, use the back side of a large cooking spoon to smash the cranberries.
  • Stir, then continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Add the butter to the sauce and stir until completely incorporated.
  • Let the sauce simmer for another 3-5 minutes, or until it reduces to the desired thickness.
  • Let cool completely and enjoy!

Notes

  • If using frozen cranberries, the recipe will take about 3-5 minutes longer to cook in order for the cranberries to soften.
  • To avoid staining, opt for a dark-colored saucepan. The red wine and cranberries can leave marks on lighter pots!
  • Feel free to add an extra tablespoon of sugar or even a touch of honey or maple syrup. This can help balance the tartness of the cranberries.
  • The sauce will thicken even more as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a bit loose while still warm. Let it sit at room temperature or in the fridge to reach the perfect consistency.
  • This sauce is perfect for prepping in advance! Make it a day or two before your event, as the flavors tend to meld and improve over time.

Nutrition

Serving: 2.5Tablespoons | Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg