Step by step

Method

4 steps

1. 1

   In a medium saucepan, combine 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries, ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup water or orange juice, 1 teaspoon orange zest, a pinch of salt, and optional ½ teaspoon cinnamon.

2. 2

   Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and you hear the first berries start to pop — about 3–4 minutes.

3. 3

   Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring now and then, until most berries have burst and the sauce coats the back of a spoon. Mash lightly with a fork if you want fewer whole berries.

4. 4

   Cool on the counter, then refrigerate. It thickens a lot as it chills. You want a jewel-red sauce that mounds softly on a spoon — not a watery juice or a stiff jam brick.