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3 Ingredient Cranberry Sauce

3 ingredient cranberry sauce made by simmering fresh cranberries until they burst into a thick, jammy ruby sauce. Easy stovetop method that cools and sets as it chills.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 248
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cranberry sauce
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Make the syrup
  1. In a saucepan, bring the water and granulated sugar to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Keep the mixture at a steady boil so it’s ready for the cranberries.
Simmer until berries burst
  1. Add the fresh cranberries to the boiling syrup and return to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries burst and the mixture thickens.
Cool and chill
  1. Remove the saucepan from the heat and cool completely.
  2. Chill until serving so the sauce sets as it cools.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, simmer with fewer interruptions so the berries can break down more and the liquid reduces. Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 5 days; freeze in portions for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge. To make it less sweet, reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup and simmer a few extra minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.