If you have only ever had cranberry sauce from a can, get ready. This homemade cranberry sauce inspired by Ina Garten, will completely change the way you feel about this holiday classic. It is bright, sweet, tart, cozy, and comes together in under 15 minutes. Using fresh cranberries, orange juice, and a diced apple for natural sweetness, this sauce thickens beautifully and tastes so much better than store bought.
I make this every year because it is easy, budget friendly, and the leftovers are incredible. And yes, this version is directly inspired by Ina Garten's famous cranberry sauce, with one small twist. Adding a chopped apple for extra texture and depth. It makes the whole recipe pop.
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❤️ Why You Will Love This Cranberry Sauce
- Inspired by Ina Garten. Her recipes are always reliable, simple, and delicious like this recipe for Ina Garten Meatloaf Recipe, Ina Garten Croque Monsieur, Ina Garten Shrimp Scampi
- Ready in under 15 minutes. Perfect for last minute holiday cooking.
- Made with simple Aldi ingredients. Fresh cranberries, oranges, sugar, and an apple.
- Naturally thick and glossy. No gelatin or cornstarch needed.
- The apple adds natural sweetness, so you can reduce the sugar if needed.
- Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or meal prep. It lasts up to a week in the fridge.
- WeightWatchers friendly. You control the sweetness and ingredients.
This is the cranberry sauce recipe I make every single holiday. It never fails.
🍒 Ingredients You Need
(With short notes for your readers)
- 1 bag fresh cranberries, 12 ounces - These make the sauce tart, bright, and naturally thick.
- 1 cup sugar (or ¾ cup if you want it less sweet) - Balances the cranberries. You can use white sugar, monk fruit, or a blend.
- 1 apple, peeled and diced - she uses Granny Smith it adds some tartness
- Zest of 1 orange - Adds brightness and holiday flavor. Ina almost always uses zest.
- Optional add ins - A pinch of cinnamon, vanilla, cinnamon stick
A splash of Grand Marnier, Ina's signature
🔁 Substitution Tips
- Orange juice to water with two tablespoons lemon juice
Works if you want it less sweet or do not have OJ. - Sugar to monk fruit, stevia blend, or coconut sugar to make it more WW friendly and less sugar.
- Apple to pear
A diced pear works beautifully and adds even more natural sweetness. - Orange zest to lemon zest
Still bright and delicious. - Add ins
Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, or vanilla all make it cozy.
How To Make Cranberry Sauce
(Inspired by Ina Garten)
Step 1 Combine the orange juice and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Step 2 Add the fresh cranberries and diced apple. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 3 Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will pop and the apple will soften. Add orange zest and optional spices. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
Step 5 Let the cranberry sauce cool for 10 minutes. It will thicken as it cools.
⭐ Pro Tips
- Do not walk away. Fresh cranberries cook fast and pop quickly.
- Reduce the sugar to ¾ cup if you prefer a tarter sauce.
- Mash some cranberries with the back of a spoon for a thicker, jammy texture.
- Stir in one tablespoon butter at the end for Ina level glossiness.
- Make it ahead. It gets thicker and better after chilling overnight.
Serving Suggestions
- Spoon over Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin or Air Fryer Ham
- Serve with Weight Watchers stuffing or Blackstone Smashed Potatoes
- Spread on sandwiches, sliders, or wraps
- Stir into yogurt bowls or oatmeal
- Add to a Aldi Charcuterie Board with brie or goat cheese
- Spoon over pancakes, waffles, or toast
- Mix into overnight oats or cottage cheese
🥣 Storage and Freezing
- Fridge Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- Freezer Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat Warm on the stove with a splash of water or orange juice.
Recipe FAQS
Yes, use one cup water plus two tablespoons lemon juice.
Absolutely. Cranberry sauce tastes even better the next day.
Yes. No thawing needed.
Her classic recipe uses one ¾ cup sugar. I often reduce it to three fourths cup. You don't need that much so you could use half.
Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith all work well.
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Ina Garten Cranberry Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
Description
Ina Garten's Make a Head Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
One 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries, cleaned
1 ¾ cups sugar
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and chopped
Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Cook the cranberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water in a saucepan over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the skins pop open. Add the apple, zests, and juices and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove from the heat, let cool, and serve chilled.
Notes
- Do not walk away. Fresh cranberries cook fast and pop quickly.
Nutrition
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 79g
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 88g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 1g
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