Here are a few easy cranberry sauce recipes you can try, with different flavor twists and levels of sweetness. Pick one that matches what you have on hand. Classic cranberry sauce (basic, traditional)

• 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water or orange juice
• Optional: 1 tsp orange zest
• Instructions: In a saucepan, combine sugar and water (or juice) and bring to a boil. Add cranberries and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most berries have burst and the sauce thickens. Stir in orange zest if using. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until set.

Five-ingredient cranberry sauce (Sally’s Baking Addiction style)

• 12 oz cranberries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• Instructions: Bring water and sugar to a boil, add cranberries and orange juice, simmer 10–12 minutes until berries pop and sauce thickens. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla if using. Cool and refrigerate.

Naturally sweetened version (no refined sugar)

• 12 oz cranberries
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• Zest of 1 orange (optional)
• Instructions: Combine honey and water, bring to boil, add cranberries and simmer until they burst and sauce thickens, about 5–10 minutes. Stir in orange zest if using. Let cool and refrigerate.

Orange-vanilla cranberry sauce

• 12 oz cranberries
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Instructions: Combine sugar and orange juice, bring to a simmer, add cranberries and simmer until they pop and the sauce thickens. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Cool and refrigerate.

Make-ahead tips

• These sauces mellow and thicken as they chill. For a smoother texture, mash some berries before chilling; for a chunkier texture, leave more berries whole.
• If the sauce is too tart, add a bit more sugar or honey, a teaspoon at a time, and taste as you go.
• Cranberry sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or frozen for longer storage.

If you’d like, tell me your preferred sweetness level, whether you want a citrus twist, and whether you’re using fresh or frozen cranberries, and I’ll tailor a recipe precisely.