This Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe uses just 5 simple ingredients and puts any store-bought canned sauce to shame. It’s sweet and tangy, flavored with orange juice and orange zest, and makes a delicious quick and easy side for any classic holiday dinner.
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Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe
If you have never made homemade Cranberry Sauce, I highly recommend you give it a try. It’s a breeze to make and oh-so-delicious. This Cranberry Sauce Recipe with orange juice to give it a bright flavor and make it a little more special for the holidays, but you can feel free to nix the orange if you would rather have plain cranberry sauce. Below, we have also listed a variety of flavors to try if you would like.
You can even use fresh or frozen cranberries and make this Cranberry Orange Sauce ahead of time - it is destined to become one of your new holiday staples!
And if you love cranberry season, be sure to try our Cranberry Baked Brie, Cranberry Muffins and our Cranberry Salsa Recipe.
What To Do With Leftover Orange Cranberry Sauce
If you find yourself with leftover Cranberry Sauce, consider yourself lucky! At our house, it doesn’t usually last long - even if we have doubled the recipe.
Other than serving alongside a protein for dinner, here are a few of our favorite uses for leftover cranberry sauce:
- Spooned over waffles, Classic French Toast or Buttermilk Pancakes.
- Swirled into ice cream.
- Baked Brie with Cranberries, an easy Appetizer
- Used to top No-Bake Cheesecake or this Orange Cheesecake.
- Eaten as a parfait with yogurt and our Easy Homemade Granola.
- Spread over a toasted bagel or slice of toasted Homemade White Bread.
- Blended into a fruit smoothie.
- Mixed into Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip.
- Brie Bites are a quick and easy, savory appetizer.
Ingredients in Orange Cranberry Sauce
- Cranberries - you can use fresh cranberries or frozen. We prefer fresh, but frozen will work great too.
- Sugar - regular granulated sugar works best.
- Orange Juice - we used fresh since you will also need orange zest. If you would rather make this sauce plain cranberry, you can omit the orange juice and substitute more water.
- Water
- Orange Zest - use an orange zester, making sure to get only the zest and none of the white pith which is bitter.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce With Orange Juice
- In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and orange zest. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 8 minutes or the cranberries have burst.
- Remove from the heat and let the Cranberry Orange Sauce cool for about an hour before serving.
- You can also make this ahead of time, keep in the refrigerator and then warm slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations for Cranberry Sauce
While Cranberry sauce with orange juice is an amazing combo, there are other flavors you can use to switch it up. Whether you prefer it sweet, tangy, spicy, or a combination of flavors, there's a cranberry sauce variation for everyone to enjoy.
- Spiced Cranberry Sauce: Add warm spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to give a cozy and festive touch to the traditional recipe.
- Ginger Cranberry Sauce: Grate some fresh ginger and simmer it with the cranberries, sugar, and water. The ginger will give your cranberry sauce a subtle, zesty kick that pairs well with the tartness of the cranberries.
- Cran-Apple Sauce: Add diced apples to the cranberry mixture and let them cook down until they become soft and tender.
- Savory Cranberry Sauce: Experiment with adding savory ingredients to your cranberry sauce. Try incorporating minced shallots, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of black pepper to create a unique and savory twist.
- Spicy Cranberry Sauce: For those who enjoy a little heat, add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to your cranberry sauce.
- Maple Cranberry Sauce: Replace sugar with maple syrup for a delightful twist on the classic recipe. The natural sweetness of maple syrup adds a rich and earthy flavor that compliments the tartness of the cranberries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! To freeze, make sure to cool completely and then transfer to freezer bags or another type of airtight container. You can store frozen for up to 2 months.
To reheat, all you need to do is transfer to a pot or skillet and reheat over medium low. Once completely thawed, you may want to simmer for a few minutes to evaporate a bit of the extra water that comes from freezing.
We love the simplicity of this five ingredient recipe, but sometimes it’s nice to spice things up (literally!). Some ideas for variations would be:
-Cinnamon Sticks
-Crystallized Ginger (minced)
-Apples (peeled and diced)
-Nuts (walnuts and pecans)
-Bourbon or Red Wine
-Dried Fruit (cherries and cranberries would taste great)
Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz Cranberries fresh or frozen
- 1 Cup Sugar
- ⅓ Cup Orange Juice
- ⅓ Cup Water
- 1 Tablespoon Orange zest
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and orange zest. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 8 minutes or the cranberries have burst.
- Remove from the heat and let the Cranberry Orange Sauce cool for about an hour before serving.
- You can also make this ahead of time, keep in the refrigerator and then warm slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes
- Crockpot Turkey Breast with 3 Citrus Marinade
- Herb-Crusted Top Round Roast
- Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Oven-Roasted Green Beans
- Ham and Cheddar Cheese Ball
- Zucchini Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting
- No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
- More Thanksgiving Recipes
- More Easy Sides
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This Cranberry Orange Sauce is sweet and tangy, quick and easy, and makes a delicious side at any holiday dinner. It uses just 5 simple ingredients and puts any store bought canned sauce to shame.
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