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

Midwest Nice logo

  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Index
  • ebooks
    • Venison ebook
    • Coffee ebook
  • About
  • Contact
  • Portfolio
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • ebooks
    • Venison ebook
    • Coffee ebook
  • About
  • Contact
  • Portfolio
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Desserts » 10 Minute Fresh Cranberry Compote

    November 9, 2022 · Updated March 14, 2023

    10 Minute Fresh Cranberry Compote

    5 from 1 vote
    Leave a comment

    · by Amanda Gajdosik

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads.

    A pin to share the recipe for fresh cranberry compote.

    This Fresh Cranberry Compote Recipe is ready in just 10 minutes and requires only 4 ingredients! It’s like a simplified version of traditional cranberry sauce that’s sweet, tart, and scented with fresh orange. Serve it on buttermilk pancakes, waffles, or cast iron cornbread.

    An overhead view of a jar filled with cranberry compote on a white tray.

    My obsession with compotes continues! It’s hard to pick a favorite when we’ve got rhubarb compote, mulberry compote, and pear compote to choose from. And now cranberry compote, too! I’ll never tire of these simple fruit sauces.

    Ingredients for this recipe

    • Fresh Cranberries – You can also use frozen cranberries if you’ve got them.
    • Orange – The zest and juice of one large orange compliments the tart cranberries perfectly.
    • Sugar – A necessary ingredient in any compote recipe.
    • Water – More on why we’re adding water to this fruit sauce in the section below.

    Water in Fruit Sauce?

    Traditional French compote is made by cooking whole pieces of fruit in simple syrup. Homemade simple syrup is comprised of a 1:1 ratio of sugar dissolved into water.

    While my other compote recipes don’t incorporate water, it was necessary to add it to this one because fresh cranberries have a very low moisture content. Rhubarb and mulberries and pears release a lot of their natural juices (aka water) when they cook down, cranberries do not because they don’t have much to release!

    Adding a bit of water to the sauce helps to keep it a lovely, smooth consistency. You’re welcome to add more or less than the recipe calls for, depending on your preference.

    Making Fresh Cranberry Compote

    1. Add everything to the pan. And set over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
    2. Cook until cranberries burst. They break down so quickly!
    3. Enjoy! Serve any which way you’d like.  
    Add the ingredients to a pot.
    Cook down to a beautiful sauce.

    Storage and Freezing Instructions

    The compote can be stored in a container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Alternatively, it can be frozen. Here’s how:

    • Fill a quart-sized, freeze-safe plastic bag with cranberry compote.
    • Squeeze out any excess air.
    • Properly label and date the bag with the contents.
    • Lay flat in the freezer until solid (you can then store the bag upright, if desired).

    Compote can be frozen for up to six months. Thaw in the fridge before using. 

    A freezer bag filled with fresh cranberry compote with a piece of tape with the label and date.
    A glass jar filled with cranberry compote on a white tray.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    10 Minute Fresh Cranberry Compote Recipe

    This simple recipe uses fresh cranberries, real orange, and a bit of sugar to create a fruit sauce that is ready in just 10 minutes! Serve on top of pancakes, waffles, or cornbread.
    Prep Time2 mins
    Cook Time8 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cranberry compote, cranberry recipe, fresh cranberries
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 99kcal
    Author: Amanda Gajdosik

    Equipment

    • Saucepot
    • Rubber Spatula
    • Storage Jar with Lid

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 orange zested and juiced

    Instructions

    • In a sauce pot combine 12 ounces fresh cranberries, ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and the juice and zest of 1 orange.
    • Set pot over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have burst and broken down to create a sauce. This will take about 6 - 8 minutes. Sauce is ready when it easily drips off a spoon.

    Notes

    • Frozen, whole cranberries can also be used straight from the freezer in place of the fresh.
    • ⅓ cup bottle orange juice can be substituted for the fresh orange, if desired.
    • If you walk away from the sauce and come back to a consistency that’s too thick, stir in additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
    • Refer to post for freezing instructions.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25cups | Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.1mg

    Browse More Recipes!

    • A small glass bowl filled with sugared cranberries.
      Sugared Cranberries (3 Ingredients!)
    • Spiced pear compote in a glass jar with a spoon in it.
      20 Minute Easy Pear Compote
    • A glass dish filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with mulberry compote. There is a sprig of mint beside the dish and in the ice cream.
      Fresh Mulberry Compote
    • A glass jar filled with bright red rhubarb compote sits on a white tray with a spoon in the sauce. There is a mint sprig next to the jar.
      Simple Rhubarb Compote Recipe
    2 shares
    • Share this Recipe!
    • Send this Recipe!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, Yall!

    Amanda, a food photographer and recipe developer, leans against a kitchen counter. She is smiling and holding a camera. She wears a white shirt and black jeans.
    Hi! I'm Amanda, and I believe in good food for good people. I hope you enjoy the homemade recipes you'll find on my site.
    • instagram
    • facebook
    • pinterest

    Choose a Category

    Looking For Something?

    Recently

    • 5 Minute Simple Syrup Recipe (Great for drinks!)
    • Ground Venison Tater Tot Nachos (Totchos!)
    • Smoked and Reverse Seared Venison Tenderloin
    • Making Venison Backstrap on a Pellet Grill
    • Grilled Duck Breast Tacos with Apple Slaw
    • Venison Patty Melt
    • How to Make a Holiday Simmer Pot (Great for gifting!)
    • Grilled Venison Philly Cheesesteak
    • Sugared Cranberries (3 Ingredients!)
    • Ultimate Venison Tenderloin Sandwich

    Archived Posts

    Meet Amanda

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2020 - 2023 Midwest Nice

    2 shares