Cranberries and have traditionally been one of those holiday dishes that I would pass on. Growing up I thought they were much too tart. They always seemed to get in the way of the delicious, savory foods like stuffing and gravy and mashed potatoes. Oh and of course, turkey.
Maybe it’s because so often at one grandma’s house for holidays, the cranberry sauce came from a can…and would still be slightly shaped like a can? Or, maybe it’s because at the other grandma’s house the fresh, homemade cranberry sauce would be used in conjunction with some ingredient I found odd?
Nevertheless, cranberries – whether homemade cranberry sauce or the can-shaped kind, were not on my childhood menu.
However, as I’ve aged, I’ve come to appreciate cranberries. Just like so many other flavors and textures, cranberries and cranberry sauce has grown on me and I’ve come to appreciate their tart flavor profile. I find that when cranberry sauce is combined with the savory food staples, they bring a beautiful balance to the meal.
With that in mind, a few years ago I set out to create a simple, homemade cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving. I wanted it to be something that would compliment the turkey, but also be something you could eat without feeling overwhelmed by the tartness. This is it. This is the simple, homemade cranberry sauce that will perfectly compliment those holiday meals.
Cranberry History
But before we dive in…a little history on cranberry sauce and Thanksgiving because I actually find it fascinating. Did you know cranberries are actually considered a fruit of the United States? Along with concord grapes and blueberries they are one of the only commercially grown fruits that are native to the United States.
Native Americans were known to eat cranberries on a regular basis, as well as use them as a natural dye. (I’m going to have to give them a go next Easter with our natural egg dye.) But reports of the first cranberry sauce, made with cranberries, sugar and water go as far back as the mid-17th century. And by the 18th century, cranberries were a known side dish to any kind of game meat like quail, pheasant and turkey.
Growing cranberries
Contrary to popular belief, cranberries don’t grow in water. They are actually a low-lying shrub (similar to a blueberry bush) or vine that grow in bogs with soil made of clay, sand, peat moss or gravel. It makes me think I should try growing some in our wetlands? With the sandy/clay soil here, they might love it. (Side note: Blueberry bushes also like sandy soil, which is why they grow so well by the lake in Michigan and Lavender actually grows best in sand, clay and gravel too.)
So what’s with the water you see on cranberry juice commercials? The water is used to harvest the cranberries. In fact, cranberry farmers flood the bogs with water when the cranberries are ripe. They are “beaten” off the vines if they haven’t fallen off and the ripe berries will float. After that, they are then sucked into a machine for harvesting.
You can see some of that process in the video below.
My homemade cranberry sauce
This homemade cranberry sauce recipe is perfect for winter gatherings like Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other winter holiday. However, this recipe is also really easy to make on a regular basis if you’re a cranberry lover.
With just three ingredients, it’s probably the easiest recipe I’ve ever made and pairs wonderfully with my favorite sour cream mashed potatoes. It’s a staple for us during the holidays and this year as we celebrate our first Thanksgiving dinner at the farm (we aren’t going back to Chicago due to Covid), it’s on the menu for the day.
Shop our kitchen
I’ve found a new favorite set of pots and pans to cook in and I’m slowly changing out all the pots and pans in the house and the barn. I actually bought these pans for the barn originally and loved them so much I decided to switch everything over from our old (very old) set.
You can find my favorite sauce pan {HERE}.
My favorite wooden spoon set {HERE}.
And my favorite spatula {HERE}.
You can find the full recipe for my homemade cranberry sauce below. If you’re looking for other delicious, Thanksgiving ideas you can find our Bacon and Brie Popovers {HERE} and Whipped Cranberry Butter {HERE}. Our Caramelized Onion & Ricotta Dip {HERE} also makes an excellent appetizer.
Thank you so much for stopping by today, friends! I hope that you will come back again to see what else we’re up to at Sugar Maple Farmhouse. OH! And we have a huge surprise happening in the next month that I can’t wait to show you! Stay tuned!
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries (Usually 1 bag)
- 1/4 cup natural, real honey
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (chopped or crushed)
Instructions
- Add honey and cranberries to a sauce pan and heat on medium.
- When it starts to bubble add the rosemary.
- Let the mixture simmer for 10 -20 minutes stirring frequently.
- Serve warm with additional rosemary as desired.
Sabrina says
Ohhhhhh this looks incredible!!! And super easy to make! I love using honey in my recipes and can’t wait to try this!
I could honestly eat cranberries throughout the entire year..haha.
I had no idea how cranberries grew by the way!!
Heather says
Would you believe that I’ve never had cranberry sauce before? Your recipe looks so much better than the canned stuff! I can’t wait to try it.
Amber Myers says
Oooo this looks so good. I’ve always been a fan of cranberry sauce. I’ve never tried to make it on my own. I should!
Claudia says
I love making homemade cranberry sauce. I know it’s faster to get the stuff out of the can, but it can’t hold a candle to the flavor of homemade. Great recipe!
Brianne says
I love homemade cranberry sauce. The flavor is always so punchy, and the texture of the cranberries is wonderful. I’ll have to try this recipe.
Pam Wattenbarger says
I usually make cranberry relish for the holidays, but this year I was thinking of switching it up and making a homemade cranberry sauce. This recipe looks delicious!
Camille says
That looks absolutely heavenly! Looking forward to giving it a try
Kathy says
I’ve never actually made cranberry sauce myself. Someone else has always done it. I’ll have to try out your recipes. It’s about time I make some myself.
Bri says
YUM!! Homemade cranberry sauce is the BEST! It’s the only way I had ever had it until I met my husband and his family had a can 😛 No one ate it. Go figure. Homemade is the ONLY way!
Alyssa says
Just a little fact about myself, I haven’t tried cranberry juice yet! Now that you’ve shared your recipe, I’ll definitely try this and it’s perfect for the holiday season. Thank you!
Sydney says
Mmm I’m up for anything with rosemary! This sounds delightful
Bolupe says
I love a good cranberry sauce and it’s one of the staple sauce we have during the holiday. I will attempt to make mine this year with your recipe.
Marina says
I’ve never had cramberry sauce so I will definetely try this recipe, it really looks delicious and I love it because it’s homemade too x
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I’ve only had the kind of cranberry sauce that comes from a can. I need to up my game and try making this! It looks really good!
Crizel Ibarra says
cranberry sauce no idea on this..but after I read it this is very amazing love to try this sauce. But what dish can be perfect on this.
Loren says
Can you believe I’ve never had cranberry sauce? I bet this is better than the can… 🙂
Gervin Khan says
I am happy that I can now make a homemade cranberry sauce, thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Melissa says
I love cranberry sauce and this recipe looks delicious. It’s always a hit at Thanksgiving at our house. Thank you for sharing.
Gervin Khan says
Oh! What a nice recipe! I’ve never tried this kind of sauce so I might as well try this later.
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
This cranberry sauce looks and sounds so delicious. I’d love to try this recipe this Thanksgiving.
Kita Bryant says
This actually looks delicious. I would love to smother my bird with some of this!
Marysa says
I love homemade over premade! This sounds like a great recipe. It is nice to have a good recipe to try out.
Samantha Laycock says
I love making homemade cranberry sauce.
Kayvona says
This looks perfect for my Thanksgiving meal plans!
Tisha says
Really loved watching the video cranberry harvest. So interesting! This cranberry sauce looks incredible
Ryan Escat says
I can’t wait for the surprise you are saying. And this cranberry sauce sounds so delicious.
Crystal Carder says
I was just looking for a new recipe for cranberry sauce and I am so glad I found this one. It looks delicious.
Alyssa says
I’ve never enjoyed cranberry sauce, but your recipe has inspired me to try the at home version to see if it’s any better!
Janeane M Davis says
Cranberry sauce is a big part of holiday meal planning. It is nice to find a recipe so you can make it at home yourself. What a good feeling that is.
Shayla Marie says
Homemade cranberry sauce is the absolute BEST!
Nikki Wayne says
Looks perfect when topped in a ice cream or pancakes..
Catalina says
I can’t immagine my Thanksgiving table without the cranberry sauce!
Erin says
Homemade cranberry sauce is the best! I will have to try your recipe!
Ashley says
Oh, nom. Yes please!!
Puja Kumari says
I.have never thought we can make sauce at home also, seriously. This recipe seems easy, also excited to try cranberry sauce for the first time.
Flossie McCowald says
Honey and rosemary! Fascinating. My mama’s sauce uses sugar, orange, and vanilla – but now I am intrigued to try yours, maybe for Christmas 😉 …
Swathi says
Homemade cranberry sauce looks delicous .