Tangy Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe for Fresh Holiday Flavor

Cranberries dance with vibrant orange zest in this incredibly simple sauce that will make your holiday table shine.

Seasonal magic happens when tart fruit meets bright citrus notes.

Sweet and tangy flavors blend seamlessly in each spoonful.

Homemade condiments always taste more delicious than store-bought versions.

Bright crimson color and fresh ingredients elevate this classic side dish.

Minimal effort produces maximum flavor impact for your festive meal.

You can whip up this sauce in minutes and impress everyone at the table.

Cranberry Orange Sauce That Brightens the Plate

• Super easy recipe that takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy home cooks wanting a delicious homemade sauce.
• Ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and winter gatherings, complementing turkey, ham, or as a festive condiment that elevates any meal.
• Requires minimal ingredients – cranberries, sugar, orange juice – which are affordable and easily accessible at most grocery stores, making it an economical side dish option.
• Simple to modify with optional cinnamon or additional spices, allowing home cooks to personalize the sauce according to their taste preferences and create a unique culinary experience.

What You’ll Need for Cranberry Orange Sauce

• Cranberries: Tart and vibrant berries that create the sauce's main flavor, best when plump and firm with deep red color.
• Orange: Provides natural sweetness and bright citrus notes, choose a ripe and fragrant orange for zesting and juicing.

• Sugar: Balances cranberries' tartness and helps create a smooth sauce texture, granulated white sugar works best.
• Water, Orange Juice: Creates the sauce's liquid base and helps cranberries break down, use fresh orange juice for optimal flavor.

• Orange Zest: Adds intense citrus aroma and deepens the orange flavor, use only the bright orange part of the peel.
• Cinnamon (Optional): Warm spice that complements cranberry and orange flavors, ground cinnamon provides subtle warmth.

Making Cranberry Orange Sauce from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Cranberry Mixture

• Fresh cranberries
• Granulated sugar
• Orange juice
• Water
• Orange zest
• Cinnamon (optional)

Gently stir all ingredients until they’re well combined and looking vibrant.

Step 2: Bring to Bubbling Life

Place the saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat. Watch as the mixture starts to bubble and dance. Once it reaches a rolling boil, lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 3: Simmer and Transform

Let the sauce simmer, giving it an occasional stir. Listen for the delightful pop of cranberries as they burst and release their tangy juices. The sauce will slowly thicken and develop a rich, glossy texture. This process takes about 10-15 minutes.

Step 4: Cool and Settle

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool down naturally. It will continue to thicken as it reaches room temperature. For an extra-refreshing touch, pop it in the refrigerator before serving to enhance the flavors and create a cool, jellied consistency.

Tips for Better Cranberry Orange Sauce Every Time

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Add a splash of Grand Marnier or orange liqueur for a sophisticated, adult twist to the cranberry sauce.
• Texture Perfection: Gently mash some cranberries with a wooden spoon during cooking to create a more varied texture and richer consistency.
• Sweetness Control: Adjust sugar levels based on cranberry tartness and personal preference – start with less and taste as you cook.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce up to 5 days in advance and store in an airtight container, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.
• Dietary Swap: Replace sugar with honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetener alternative that adds depth to the sauce's flavor profile.

Store Cranberry Orange Sauce the Right Way

• Store leftover cranberry orange sauce in an airtight container for up to 7 days. The sauce stays fresh and maintains its vibrant flavor when sealed properly.
• Transfer cooled sauce to freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring you label with the date for easy tracking.
• Remove frozen sauce from the freezer and let it defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Gently stir before serving to restore its original texture.
• Warm the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or orange juice if the consistency seems too thick, bringing back its original smoothness.

Foods That Go Well with Cranberry Orange Sauce

• Cranberry orange sauce traditionally complements roasted turkey, enhancing the meat's rich flavors with its bright, tangy profile during holiday meals.
• Spread this zesty sauce over warm brie, creating a delightful appetizer that balances sweet-tart notes with the cheese's creamy texture.
• Drizzle the sauce over roasted pork tenderloin or glazed ham, adding a vibrant citrus kick that cuts through the meat's richness.
• Serve alongside a warm glass of mulled wine, where the orange and cinnamon notes in the sauce echo the wine's aromatic spices.

Twists on Classic Cranberry Orange Sauce

• Low-Sugar Option: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a diabetic-friendly version that maintains the original tangy flavor profile.
• Spiced Variation: Add ground ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom to enhance the warming notes and create a more complex sauce for holiday meals.
• Boozy Cranberry Sauce: Incorporate a splash of Grand Marnier, rum, or bourbon during the final cooking stage to add depth and richness to the sauce.
• Vegan Adaptation: Ensure all ingredients are plant-based and substitute refined sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a completely vegan-friendly condiment.

Answers for Cranberry Orange Sauce Questions

• What are the key ingredients for this cranberry orange sauce?

Fresh or frozen cranberries work perfectly. You’ll need fresh cranberries, white sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, and optional cinnamon for added warmth.

• How do I know when the sauce is done cooking?

The sauce is ready when cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, which typically takes 10-15 minutes. You’ll see the cranberries break down and create a jammy consistency.

• Can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?

Absolutely! Taste the sauce while cooking and add more sugar gradually if you prefer a sweeter result. Start with the recipe’s recommended amount and adjust to your taste preference.

• Is this sauce only good for holiday meals?

Not at all! This versatile sauce works great with roasted meats, as a spread on toast, mixed into yogurt, or as a condiment for various dishes throughout the year.

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Festive cranberry orange sauce brings holiday cheer with its zesty citrus notes and tart berry goodness. Homemade comfort creates a delightful condiment perfect for elevating your seasonal feast.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh cranberries
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

Sweeteners:

• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar

Spices and Liquids:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) water
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, unite fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, vibrant orange juice, clean water, fragrant orange zest, and optional warm cinnamon, gently mixing the ingredients together.
2. Position the saucepan over medium-high heat, allowing the mixture to reach a rolling boil while stirring intermittently.
3. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, permitting the cranberries to soften and gradually rupture, creating a rich, glossy texture.
4. Continue cooking for approximately 10-12 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent potential scorching and ensuring even consistency.
5. Watch for natural cranberry breakdown, which will transform the liquid into a luscious, slightly jellied sauce with visible fruit remnants.
6. Remove the saucepan from heat, allowing the crimson sauce to rest and naturally thicken at room temperature.
7. As the sauce cools, its consistency will become more substantial, developing deeper flavor complexity.
8. Optional: Refrigerate the sauce for enhanced flavor melding and cooler serving temperature, ideally preparing it a few hours before presenting.

Notes

• Fresh cranberries work best when they’re plump and firm, avoiding any soft or wrinkled ones for optimal sauce texture.
• Adjust sugar levels depending on cranberry tartness and personal preference, starting with less and adding gradually.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding a splash of Grand Marnier or vanilla extract during the final cooking stage for depth.
• Prepare sauce ahead of time as it stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg