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The Best Cranberry Orange Sauce for Your Feast

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This homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce is a vibrant and essential condiment for your holiday table. Bursting with fresh, tangy-sweet flavor and a bright citrus aroma, it’s incredibly easy to make and far superior to any canned version.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: About 2 cups 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340g) fresh or frozen cranberries

  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

  • 1 cup (240ml) orange juice

  • Zest of 1 large orange

  • 1 strip of orange peel (about 2 inches long)

  • 1 pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Simmer the Base: In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice, sugar, orange zest, and the strip of orange peel. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved.

  2. Cook the Berries: Add the cranberries and the pinch of salt to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.

  3. Thicken the Sauce: Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

  4. Cool and Serve: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully remove the strip of orange peel. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before transferring it to a serving dish. For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

  • Consistency: For a smoother sauce, you can mash the berries with a potato masher or wooden spoon towards the end of cooking. For a chunkier relish, leave them intact.

  • Make Ahead: This sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

  • Sweetness: Taste after cooling and adjust sweetness if desired with a little more sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup.

  • Author: Sarah
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Condiment, Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 cup
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 10mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg