Okay, listen. If you’re like my family, cranberry sauce isn’t just a side dish - it’s practically a personality trait. We’ve got a full-on cranberry lineup every Thanksgiving: the jiggly canned kind (because nostalgia), something fancy with oranges and spices (for the foodies), and then this beauty - the classic, old fashioned cranberry sauce that’s sweet, tart, and oh-so-retro. My Daddy swears it tastes exactly like the one my mom used to make, and honestly? He’s not wrong.

Old Fashioned Cranberry Sauce (Just Like Mom Made!)

This is the real deal. It’s glossy and gorgeous with that deep ruby red color, and it brings a pop of freshness to all the rich holiday dishes. Plus, it’s basically a Thanksgiving multitasker - serve it up with your turkey on Thursday and then slather it all over those leftover turkey sandwiches the next day. Total flavor bomb!

Here’s how to make it happen:

What You’ll Need:

1 cup sugar
¾ cup water
12 oz (about 4 cups) fresh cranberries

Tools:

Measuring cups
Medium saucepan
Silicone spoon
Heat-safe serving dish or bowl

Directions:

Add sugar and water to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir it up until the sugar dissolves - this should only take a couple minutes.

Toss in the cranberries and bring the whole thing to a gentle boil.

Turn the heat down and let it simmer for 12–15 minutes. You’ll start hearing those cranberries pop! as they burst open. That’s the magic happening!

Once it’s nice and thick, pour it into a heat-safe dish and let it cool to room temp. You can serve it right away or pop it in the fridge for later. It sets up beautifully as it chills!

Storage:

Refrigerate any leftovers (if there are any!) for up to a week. It only gets better as it sits!

Tips & Tricks:

Want to get a little fancy? Add a cinnamon stick or a strip of orange zest while it simmers. Your kitchen will smell like a holiday candle!
If you're more on the tart side of life, cut the sugar to ¾ cup for a tangier twist.
This freezes like a dream! Make a double batch and stash some away for Christmas dinner.

Serving Ideas:

OBVIOUSLY it’s a Thanksgiving essential - but don’t stop there!

Layer it into turkey sandwiches with a little mayo and stuffing.
Serve it on a cheese board with brie or sharp cheddar - total crowd pleaser.
Spoon it over pancakes, waffles, or even vanilla ice cream for a post-holiday treat!

Yield: 8

Old Fashioned Cranberry Sauce

Name: Old Fashioned Cranberry Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup sugar; 3/4 cup water; 12 oz (4 cups) fresh cranberries

This Classic Cranberry Sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, made with fresh cranberries. It’s simple to make and adds a pop of color and freshness to any holiday table!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
¾ cup water
12 oz (4 cups) fresh cranberries

Instructions

Add the sugar and water to a medium saucepan and heat over medium- high heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
Add the cranberries and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat down to simmer for 12-15 minutes, until the cranberries burst.
Transfer into a heat safe serving dish or bowl, and bring it to room temperature before serving or chilling for later..

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 34gProtein: 0g

There you have it - your new (old) favorite cranberry sauce! Whether you're team can, team fancy, or team mom-made-it-this-way, this classic recipe deserves a spot at the table. Thanks for keeping the retro vibes alive, one cranberry at a time!

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