Jellied Cranberry Sauce Made With Fresh Whole Cranberries is scrumptious, with just the right amount of tang. And takes just 30 minutes (plus time to refrigerate). Make it the day before you need it and it’s ready for your holiday dinner.

Homemade Jellied Cranberry Sauce made from whole, fresh cranberries
Homemade Jellied Cranberry Sauce is easier than you think.
Don’s Jellied Cranberry Sauce is my favorite cranberry sauce. Before I met Don, I didn’t like the whole cranberry made-at-home kind of cranberry sauce. Our family always bought the canned version. You know, the wiggly, jellied type that people simply dump out of the can. I must admit, I still like that kind, too. But Don’s Homemade Jellied Cranberry Sauce is a must at our Thanksgiving table.
That’s because he adds cinnamon and orange zest to the cranberries. It makes the cranberry sauce amazing. And the cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties. If you prefer the traditional sauce, you can leave these two ingredients out.
The recipe is a variation of the one from the Ocean Spray cranberry bag. We usually buy two bags of Organic Frozen Whole Cranberries (affiliate link) before Thanksgiving and freeze one to save it for Christmas.
The Perfect Accompaniment
Jellied Cranberry Sauce is a tasty complement to turkey, chicken, Cornish game hens and other birds. It also goes well with pork. It is best if you make this Jellied Cranberry Sauce the day before you want to serve it. That way, you can make sure it sets up and is nice and cold.
What You Need
You will need measuring cups and spoons, a zester and a good heavy bottomed pan. You’ll also want a nice bowl to serve your cranberry sauce, so be sure to get one if you don’t already have one. In our home we chill the cranberries in a beautiful dish and serve it by passing it around the table with an antique serving spoon.
Homemade Jellied Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Jellied Cranberry Sauce
The best Homemade Jellied Cranberry Sauce you're ever gonna eat made with whole, fresh cranberries. Never buy canned again! 30-minute recipe.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Organic Frozen Whole Cranberries (can be purchased fresh and frozen until needed)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
Instructions
- Place the water and sugar in a large heavy-bottom sauce pan.
- Bring it to a boil.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, orange zest and cranberries.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes until all the cranberry skins have “popped” and the berries feel soft.
- For whole cranberry sauce, remove the cinnamon sticks, pour the cranberries into a bowl or mold and refrigerate until firm (4 to 5 hours).
For jellied cranberries (without whole cranberries) remove the cinnamon sticks and press through a Foley food mill to remove the seeds and skin. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Then pour the mixture into a bowl or mold and chill until firm (4 to 5 hours).
- Keep refrigerated.
https://recipeideashop.com/jellied-cranberry-sauce/
Recipe Notes
Hint: If you have chilled it in a mold, warm the mold in a bowl of water to release the cranberry jelly. Place a serving plate on top of the mold and turn it over so the cranberry jelly is transferred to the plate.
Affiliate Disclosure: This website may contain affiliate marketing links, which means we may get paid commission on sales of those products or services we write about, including Amazon. Editorial content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships. This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR § 255.5: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Recipe Nutrition Information
This recipe is GF, DF, NF, SF, EF, CF, V, VG*
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
You May Also Like These Recipes From Recipe Idea Shop
- Fruit Cocktail Salad
- Traditional Sage Dressing (Stuffing)
- Cornbread Stuffing with Dates, Cranberries and Sausage
- Northern Green Bean Casserole
- Southern Green Bean Casserole
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE RECIPES YOU LOVE & FREE GIFTS
Trust me, you’re gonna love our recipes. Up your recipe repertoire. Add this recipe to your collection. But don’t stop there…subscribe to our email newsletter and get a free cookbook and a printable grocery shopping list.
RATE, PIN & SHARE!
Please Rate our recipes, and Pin and Share them on social media. Comments are welcome, too!

Don’s Homemade Cranberry Sauce has a hint of orange and cinnamon.
*Allergen Key
GF = Gluten free | DF = Dairy free | NF = Nut free | SF = Soy free | EF = Egg free | CF = Corn free | V = Vegetarian | VG = Vegan
Note: If you have serious allergies or sensitivities, to be considered free of these allergens, you need to use products specifically marked “gluten free,” etc. There can be cross-contamination in facilities.
This recipe was originally posted on Recipe Idea Shop in November 2012 and updated November 24, 2020.
Leave a Reply