• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sweetphi logo

  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Five Ingredient Fridays
    • Meal Plans
    • Reader Recreations
  • About
    • About & Contact
    • Partnerships
  • Cookbooks
  • Life
    • Love Lists
    • Catching up with the Kelnhofers
    • Travel
  • Shop
  • Work With Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Classic Cranberry Sauce

Oct 30, 2020 · 3 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This classic cranberry sauce is straight from the back of the bag and is absolutely the best cranberry sauce -and one that my family made growing up.  It’s super simple, classic and delicious.  Perfect for your Thanksgiving table.

Classic cranberry sauce recipe, from the back of the bag. this image

There are all sorts of different variations and twists one can make to a classic cranberry sauce, but the simple back of the bag cranberry sauce has always been a family favorite.

Ingredients for classic cranberry sauce

What ingredients do you need for classic cranberry sauce?

  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Fresh whole cranberries

Yup, that’s it!

When I got a bag of cranberries from a local farm once (loose cranberries in a paper bag), I realized I didn’t know the recipe, so I called my mom and she told me she always just used the recipe on the back of the bag.

Classic cranberry sauce from the back of the bag

Serving cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving is a must.  It’s tart and sweet which makes it pair perfectly with Thanksgiving turkey. Made with simple ingredients, this homemade cranberry sauce is sheer perfection.

Classic cranberry sauce from the back of the bag

How do you make a classic cranberry sauce?

  1. In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water, bring to a boil. Add cranberries, return to a boil.

  2. Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick.

  3. Allow to cool a little, and then pour into storage or serving containers, and store in the fridge.

Classic cranberry sauce from the back of the bag

There are all sorts of ways to make this cranberry sauce, each with it’s very own variation.

What are some ways you can tweak this recipe?

  • You can use half orange juice and half water.
  • Add a dash of cinnamon or ginger

Classic cranberry sauce from the back of the bag

This classic cranberry sauce is a great make-ahead dish, so it’s perfect for making ahead of the big day. We make this cranberry sauce 3-5 days ahead of Thanksgiving and keep it in the fridge.  And if you’re a little stressed cooking for the big day, you can always treat yourself to a cranberry cocktail! Leftover cranberry sauce is great as the filling for cranberry walnut crumb dessert bars or as a spread on a turkey and brie sandwich!

Classic cranberry sauce recipe, from the back of the bag.

Classic Cranberry Sauce

This classic cranberry sauce comes straight from the back of the bag and is the perfect simple recipe for your Thanksgiving meal.
No ratings yet
Print Rate
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 cups

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Small glass storage bowls

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 bag fresh whole cranberries (12 oz.)

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water, bring to a boil. Add cranberries, return to a boil. 
    Ingredients for classic cranberry sauce
  • Reduce heat and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Until thick. 
    Classic cranberry sauce from the back of the bag
  • Allow to cool a little, and then pour into storage or serving containers, and store in the fridge.
    Classic cranberry sauce from the back of the bag

Notes

The nutrition information presented on this site should be considered an estimate as the calculations will change based on the exact products you use in your own kitchen.
You could use 1/2 water and 1/2 orange juice if you'd like a little orange flavor. 
Add a dash of cinnamon or ginger for a touch of fall spice flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 121g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 107g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

Related Posts

  • Pork, mashed potatoes and broccoli in shallow bowl
    5 Ingredient Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe (with Cranberry)

    If you're only going to make one SweetPhi recipe, this 5 ingredient Instant Pot pork…

  • Christmas-cranberry-cosmo
    Christmas Cranberry Cosmopolitan

    Thanksgiving was yesterday, did you have a wonderful day? Everyone knows that the second Thanksgiving is…

  • Cranberry walnut crumb dessert bars, make ahead Thanksgiving recipes, Thanksgiving dessert recipes that are not pie, cranberry crumb bars
    Cranberry Walnut Crumb Dessert Bars

    These cranberry walnut crumb dessert bars are a sweet and tangy dessert bar that will…

  • Orange cranberry cake recipe. A delicious fresh cranberry recipe for orange glazed cranberry cake which is perfect for the holidays
    Orange Cranberry Cake Recipe

    With the holidays and holiday parties fast approaching, are you looking for recipes? I know…

  • Flank steak tacos with fresh cranberry salsa. Perfect for taco Tuesdays from @sweetphi
    Steak Tacos with Cranberry Salsa Recipe

    Happy Taco Tuesday! We’re celebrating taco tuesday with this delicious steak stacos with cranberry salsa…

Appetizers/Sides, Blog Posts, Fall Favorites, Gluten-Free, Holidays, Recipes, Sauces, Seasonal, Thanksgiving, Winter holiday recipes back of the bag cranberry sauce, Classic cranberry sauce

Did you make this recipe? Hashtag with us! Be sure to follow/tag @sweetphiblog and hashtag #sweetphiblog – we love to see what you’re cooking up!”

Get the Weekly Newsletter right in your inbox

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melissa Engnath says

    October 31, 2020 at 2:39 pm

    One Thanksgiving tradition for me is to bring the cranberry sauce wherever I go. This year, I’m going to try your recipe Phi!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      November 1, 2020 at 7:39 pm

      I hope you love this simple and delicious recipe, it’s just a classic (I have some in the fridge currently and I’m planning on using it on turkey sandwiches this week!)

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Catching up with the Kelnhofers-65 - Sweetphi says:
    November 7, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    […] Classic cranberry sauce – a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Top 5

Related Posts

  • 1 5 Ingredient Loaded Tater Tots
  • 2 Cottage cheese dip recipe
  • 3 The Best BBQ & Sides for a March Madness Party
  • 4 Healthy Slow Cooker Lentil and Vegetable Soup
  • 5 The Best Pumpkin Loaf Ever (Gluten Free and better than Starbucks)

Philia Kelnhofer, Danish, Chicken tacos, Kelnhofer familySweetphi.com is a destination for easy recipes, showcasing beautiful content and inspiration, everyday family life, motherhood, and fun finds from around the web. 

Learn More

Footer

Try these eggless waffles 🧇 We love to double Try these eggless waffles 🧇
We love to double the recipe and freeze a few, they freeze/reheat really well! You just pop the frozen waffle into a toaster! 🤩
Tell us your go-to waffle toppings! 🧈
Get this waffle recipe on the blog! ❤️
https://sweetphi.com/best-eggless-waffles-recipe/
#waffles #wafflelove #breakfast #brunch #recipe #food #foodie #egglessbaking #eggless #noegg #egglessrecipe #kidapproved #kidapprovedfood #mealprep #freezermeals #freezerstash #freezerfriendly
5 ingredient air fryer buffalo chicken nuggets-Rec 5 ingredient air fryer buffalo chicken nuggets-Recipe 👇🏼
1 lb. chicken breasts
1 cup sour cream
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
Blue cheese dressing
These crispy bites of goodness make the perfect appetizer, snack or dinner! 👏🏼
TIP: They can also be made in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer!
Get this recipe on sweetphi.com! ❤️
#airfryer #airfryerrecipes #airfryerrecipe #buffalosauce #buffalochicken #chickennuggets #recipe #appetizer #snack #food #foodie #foodblog #easysnack #easyappetizers #dinnerrecipes #fallrecipe #footballseason #footballsnacks
This shortcut white chicken chili recipe is ready This shortcut white chicken chili recipe is ready in under an hour and is so easy to make!
What’s the shortcut? This recipe uses a jar of salsa verde to really amp up the flavor, without having to make a tomatillo salsa from scratch! 👏🏼
Get this recipe on the blog! ❤️
https://sweetphi.com/shortcut-white-chicken-chili-recipe/
#chili #chickenchili #chilirecipe #easyrecipe #falldinner #fallrecipe #shortcuts #kitchenshortcuts #dinner #mealprep #freezermeals #freezermeal #dinnerrecipe #food #foodiegram
These 5 ingredient sour cream and chive fries are These 5 ingredient sour cream and chive fries are SO EASY 🍟
1. Combine olive oil, sour cream, chives and sea salt
2. Slice potatoes in chunk pieces
3. Coat potatoes in sour cream mixture
4. Spread on pan
5. Bake and enjoy!
You’ll get flavorful crispy oven fries you’ll love as a snack or side to any dish!
Get this recipe by tapping the link in our bio, @sweetphiblog ❤️
https://sweetphi.com/five-ingredient-fridays-sour-cream-chive-fries/
#5ingredients #frenchfries #fries #sourcreamandchive #sidedish #easyrecipe #recipe #easysidedish #food #foodie #cooking #quickandeasyrecipes #snacks #frenchfry #easyrecipe
In this week’s Love List we’re sharing cute, a In this week’s Love List we’re sharing cute, affordable loafers for fall, my favorite kitchen pans, a mini crockpot and a travel necessity you didn’t know you needed!
What are you loving this week! Leave a comment or send me a message! ❤️
https://sweetphi.com/love-list-7-minute-workout-app-and-mini-crockpot/
#lovelist #fallfinds #lifestyle #midwestblogger #midwestmom #amazonfinds #fallfavorites #blog #workoutapp #favoritefinds
It’s true…this is the BEST pumpkin loaf EVER! It’s true…this is the BEST pumpkin loaf EVER! 🍂
Look no further because this recipe helps you make the best pumpkin loaf (gluten free and better than Starbucks)!
This loaf is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making over and over again – it seems like we’ve made it like a million times!  You can choose your favorite way to enjoy it; add chocolate chips or make it without. It’s flat out amazing either way. This loaf has a great dense texture and spice profile; it’s pumpkiny, but not too pumpkiny – it’s just delish!!
Would you add chocolate chips?! 🎃
Grab this recipe on the blog!❤️
https://sweetphi.com/the-best-pumpkin-loaf-ever-gluten-free-and-better-than-starbucks/
#pumpkinbread #pumpkinloaf #fallrecipe #baking #fallbaking #pumpkinspice #pumpkinseason #pumpkinrecipes
This 5 ingredient apple cider old fashioned cockta This 5 ingredient apple cider old fashioned cocktail recipe is crazy delicious and perfect for fall 🍎
All you need is...
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 dashes bitters
4 oz apple cider
3 oz bourbon
Apple slices for garnish
4 ice cubes
Apple cider and bourbon pair perfectly, and the bitters and fresh apple make an all-around balanced cocktail. Delish!
Grab this recipe on the blog! ❤️
https://sweetphi.com/5-ingredient-apple-cider-old-fashioned-cocktail-recipe/
#5ingredients #5ingredientrecipe #easyrecipe #5ingredientmeal #easymealideas #recipes #fiveingredients #5ingredientmeal #cocktailrecipe #cocktails #applecider #appleciderdrinks #drinks #fallrecipe #fall #bourbon #bourbondrinks #oldfashioned #oldfashions
It’s football season 🏈🏈 and we have your n It’s football season 🏈🏈 and we have your new favorite GAME DAY appetizer!
This queso dip is cheesy, has just the right amount of spices and roasted peppers, just queso perfection with every bite 🧀
What’s your favorite game time food?!
Get this recipe in the blog ❤️
https://sweetphi.com/qdoba-queso-dip-recipe/
#recipe #queso #quesodip #qdobaqueso #copycatrecipe #football #footballseason #gameday #appetizers #snacks #chipsandcheese #snacks #footballsnacks #tailgatefood #slowcooker #crockpot #slowcookerrecipes
  • Recipes
  • Baby
  • Cookbook
  • Five Ingredient Fridays
  • Travel
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · SWEET PHI