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Nothing says the holidays like having this delicious cranberry orange sauce on the table! The sweet orange flavor pairs with the tart cranberries, making it the perfect combination of flavors.
Easy Homemade Cranberry-Orange Sauce
Store-bought cranberry sauce was our usual sauce, but this easy cranberry sauce will quickly replace the boring canned sauce. The flavors and freshness of homemade sauce can’t be beat. It’s so simple and easy to make, and you only need a few ingredients!
Making this orange cranberry sauce from scratch is so simple but adds a wonderful homemade touch to your holiday meals. With fresh ingredients and crisp flavor, this sauce will become one of your favorite side dishes. Enjoy every spoonful as you celebrate the season!
Ways To Serve Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce
Besides serving this orange cranberry sauce with a traditional Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham, this sauce can be used for so much more! Here are just a few other ways I like to use cranberry sauce:
- Leftover Sandwiches: Spread a little sauce on your leftover turkey sandwiches for an amazing sandwich spread.
- On Baked Brie: Drizzle cranberry sauce over a baked brie wheel with slices of baguette or crackers for a festive appetizer.
- Yogurt or Oatmeal Topping: For breakfast, spoon some cranberry sauce over your yogurt or oatmeal, or spread on toast instead of jam.
- Breakfast Toppings: Add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup to thin the sauce, and use to top pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Dessert Toppings: Use this cranberry relish to top your holiday cheesecakes or a scoop of ice cream for an extra fruity flavor!
Ingredients You Will Need
- fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
- granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- fresh orange juice (freshly squeezed, if possible)
- orange zest (for extra citrusy flavor)
- Optional: a cinnamon stick (for a warm, spiced touch) or vanilla extract (for extra rich flavor)
How to Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
STEP 1. Rinse cranberries well and remove any soft or damaged cranberries.
STEP 2. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice and orange zest. Stir together to combine. (If using, also add in a cinnamon stick or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
STEP 3. Place saucepan on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to lightly boil.
STEP 4. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will begin to pop and the sauce will began to thicken.
STEP 5. Once the sauce has thickened, remove from heat and let the sauce cool. Adjust thickness by adding a tablespoon of water to the sauce if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl, dish or a jar, then cover, and let the sauce chill in the refrigerator or cool at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries: Fresh cranberries work best, but you can also use frozen cranberries if necessary.
- Add Mix-Ins: For extra texture and flavor, stir in a handful of chopped pecans, dried fruits like raisins, blueberries, or cherries.
- Use a fine grater: When zesting your orange, zest it first before squeezing for juice. It’s much easier to grate first. Use a fine grater so you don’t have large pieces of zest in your sauce.
Variations for this Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a bit more sugar, or stir in a tablespoon of honey.
- Add alcohol: Add a splash of raspberry or orange liqueurs like Chambord, Grand Marnier, whiskey or bourbon during cooking.
FAQ’S
This sauce can be made up to a week ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. If it thickens too much, just stir in a little water to thin until it reaches your preferred consistency before serving.
Keep leftover sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 7-10 days. You can also freeze it for up to two months.
Absolutely! If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of sugar and taste as you go. You can also add a touch of honey, maple syrup, or even apple juice to balance the tartness of the cranberries.
More Holiday Recipes
Cranberry Orange Sauce
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- Rinse cranberries well and remove any soft or damaged cranberries.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice and orange zest. Stir together to combine. (If using, also add in a cinnamon stick or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- Place saucepan on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to lightly boil.
- Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will begin to pop and the sauce will began to thicken.
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove from heat and let the sauce cool. Adjust thickness by adding a tablespoon of water to the sauce if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl, dish or a jar, then cover, and let the sauce chill in the refrigerator or cool at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This looks so good. Looking forward to Thanksgiving! 🙂