Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce
on Nov 10, 2023, Updated Nov 06, 2024
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Perfect for the holidays, this Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce is going to be the talk of the holiday dinner. We love making a bunch of variations of cranberry sauce during Thanksgiving and Christmas time, and adding orange is the perfect flavor combination to our cranberries.
If you’re looking for more holiday classics, check out our Garlic Rosemary Turkey Gravy and Creamy Mac and Cheese with Sage Breadcrumbs.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cranberry sauce is the perfect vessel to pair with all your holiday recipes. It pairs perfectly with roasted turkey or Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken, any vegetables and side dishes, or even as a leftover Thanksgiving sandwich.
- Prepped ahead: You can prep this cranberry sauce ahead of time, even months ahead of time in the freezer. That way, you’re ready for any holiday entertaining.
- Zesty orange flavor: Brings out the cranberries, and pairs so well together. The balance of both the cranberries with the citrus adds some brightness to the sauce.
- Versatile: Pair with any of your favorite accompaniments like on our Cranberry Brie Bites, or as leftovers on a Dutch Baby with Cranberry Compote.
Recipe Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Cranberries: Whether you’re using fresh cranberries or frozen, the tart taste paired with the sweet orange is just the perfect combination. Cranberries main flavor profile is tart, have a nice sweetness to them, especially when they’re cooked down.
Orange Juice and Zest: You can’t go wrong with fresh orange juice. Not only does it add some acidity to our sauce, but the citrusy component is going to help balance out the tartness from the cranberries and ultimately adds deep flavor complexity to our sauce.
White Sugar: White sugar is one of our favorite sweeteners when it comes to dessert. Since the two main ingredients have stronger flavors, this white sugar helps bring out the natural sweetness, and balances out the tartness from the cranberries.
Brown Sugar: The molasses from the brown sugar adds a really nice caramel flavor to this cranberry sauce. I personally love the punchy flavors from both brown and white sugar in this sauce. Substituting with maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup would be great here as well.
Ginger: Fresh ginger gives this sauce a nice finish and a little bit of spice.
Tips and Substitutions
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries: Either will work here! Adjust accordingly with more or less water for the tartness of your cranberries.
- Depending on what kind of cranberries you are cooking with, they may need more or less sugar, adjust accordingly. If your sauce is too sour and tart, add more sugar.
- Make Ahead: You can store your cranberry sauce ahead of time in the fridge for up to a week, and in the freezer for 1 month.
- You can adjust with any of your favorite aromatics, such as cinnamon or nutmeg.
How to Make Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce
Step 1: In a medium saucepan, add in your cranberries and toss with white sugar, brown sugar, orange zest and juice, grated ginger, water, and a pinch of salt. Stir to make sure everything is mixed and incorporated.
Step 2: Bring to a boil on medium-high heat, then bring to a gentle simmer on medium-low heat until the cranberries pop and create your sauce, about 15 minutes. You can use the back of your spoon to help pop the cranberries.
Step 3: You can adjust it with more water if you want a thinner sauce. If it’s too tart, adjust with more sugar.
Storing: To refrigerate, transfer to a airtight container for up to 1 week. To freezer, repeat the step and store for 1 month.
Serving Recommendations
If you’re looking for some ideas to serve with this cranberry sauce, we’ve got you covered!
- Soups: Pair your cranberry sauce with Roasted Butternut Squash Soup to serve for a Fall themed dinner, or for Thanksgiving.
- Sides: No Thanksgiving feast is ever complete without Creme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes, Creamy Mac and Cheese with Sage Breadcrumbs, Cheddar Scallion Serrano Biscuits, and Lemon Haricots Verts With Crispy Shallots
- Salads: Try this crunchy Shaved Celery and Fennel Salad to serve.
- Dinner: Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken and Brown Sugar and Butter Roasted Turkey Breast are wonderful to pair with this sauce.
- Check out our Thanksgiving Alternative Main Dishes that Aren’t Turkey for more mains to pair with this cranberry sauce.
Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce FAQs
Absolutely! We love making a huge batch and having it ready as needed. Not only can you put it in the refrigerator, you can even put it in the freezer if you’re planning on having it much later. Thaw it out in the fridge a day or two before you’re ready to warm it.
If you want to spice up this sauce, you can add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice. We kept it simple with just some ginger, but you can add in whatever flavors you’d like.
ou can serve on it’s own to serve alongside with all your favorites mains and sides, or check out our Cranberry Brie Bites, Dutch Baby with Cranberry Compote, and our Cranberry Gin Smash.
More Holiday Recipes
If you do make this Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce recipe, leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, we would love to hear what you think! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram, we love to see what you’re making! If you’d like to stay in touch and get the latest in your inbox, sign up for our Newsletter. We can also be found on YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest!
Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounce cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar, plus more as needed
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- juice and zest of 1 orange
- 1 knob of ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup water, adjust with more depending on preferred consistency
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add in your cranberries and toss with white sugar, brown sugar, orange zest and juice, grated ginger, water, and a pinch of salt. Stir to make sure everything is mixed and incorporated.
- Bring to a boil on medium-high heat, then bring to a gentle simmer on medium-low heat until the cranberries pop and create your sauce, about 15 minutes. You can use the back of your spoon to help pop the cranberries.
- You can adjust it with more water if you want a thinner sauce. If it’s too tart, adjust with more sugar.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries: Either will work here! Adjust accordingly with more or less water for the tartness of your cranberries.
- Depending on what kind of cranberries you are cooking with, they may need more or less sugar, adjust accordingly. If your sauce is too sour and tart, add more sugar.
- Make Ahead: You can store your cranberry sauce ahead of time in the fridge for up to a week, and in the freezer for 1 month.
- You can adjust with any of your favorite aromatics, such as cinnamon or nutmeg.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Amazing
Amazing. Goes with everything and can be made ahead
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!