Cranberry Orange Sauce
This cranberry orange sauce is fresh, bright, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart. Made with real cranberries, fresh orange juice, and orange zest, it’s an easy homemade alternative to canned sauce and a must-have for holiday meals and beyond.
Ingredients
Cranberry Orange Sauce
- 12 oz cranberries fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup granulated sugar adjust to taste
- ½ cup orange juice fresh
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ½ cup water
Optional Flavor Add-Ins
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Maple syrup or honey to replace sugar, if desired
Instructions
Combine Ingredients
- In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, water, and orange juice. Stir to combine.
Simmer
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
Add Orange Zest
- Stir in the orange zest and any optional flavor add-ins during the last few minutes of cooking.
Cool
- Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
Serve
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- The sauce thickens naturally as it cools—avoid overcooking.
- Taste and adjust sweetness after cooking if needed.
- For a smooth sauce, blend after cooling.
Nutrition
Calories: 95kcalCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 20g
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