This bright and zesty orange cranberry sauce is the perfect mix of sweet and tart. It adds a fresh pop to your holiday meals with just a handful of simple ingredients!
Every time I make this, I love how the sweet citrus and tangy cranberries dance together. It’s a hit at every gathering! Plus, it’s super easy to whip up in no time.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are best for a bright flavor. If they’re out of season, frozen cranberries work well and can be used directly from the freezer without thawing.
Orange Juice and Zest: Fresh juice from 2 large oranges adds vibrant flavor. If fresh oranges aren’t available, bottled orange juice can substitute, but fresh zest is still recommended for that extra zing.
Sugar: I prefer granulated sugar here for sweetness and to help the sauce thicken. For a less sweet option, try using honey or maple syrup, adjusting the quantity to taste.
Rosemary: This is optional, but it brings an interesting herbal note. If you don’t have rosemary, you can skip it or substitute with fresh thyme for a different flavor experience.
How Can I Ensure My Sauce is Perfectly Thick?
Thickening the cranberry sauce can be tricky, but here’s how to nail it! The key is to let it simmer until the cranberries burst and the mixture reduces. Pay attention to these steps:
- Start with medium heat to get the sauce boiling, then lower it to let it simmer.
- Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking, and watch for the cranberries to burst—this takes about 10-15 minutes.
- If the sauce seems too runny, let it simmer a few more minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.
As it cools, it will thicken even more, so don’t worry if it looks slightly runny at first!
How to Make Orange Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 12 oz (340 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh orange juice (about 2 large oranges)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional, for garnish and subtle herbal flavor)
- Orange slices for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare and around 15 minutes to cook. Plus, you’ll want to let it cool for a bit after cooking, so allow about 30 minutes total from start to finish. Perfect for a quick and delicious addition to your meal!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Rinse the Cranberries:
Start by rinsing the cranberries under cold water. Make sure to pick out any stems or bad berries so your sauce is nice and smooth.
2. Mix Ingredients in a Saucepan:
In a medium saucepan, add the rinsed cranberries, sugar, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and salt. Give everything a good stir to combine the flavors.
3. Bring to a Boil:
Turn the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring occasionally. You’ll start to smell that wonderful orange aroma—yum!
4. Simmer to Thicken:
Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. The cranberries will burst, and the mixture will thicken up. Keep stirring occasionally to prevent any sticking at the bottom of the pan.
5. Cool the Sauce:
When the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove it from heat and let it cool to room temperature. Don’t worry if it looks a bit runny—it will thicken as it cools!
6. Add Rosemary (Optional):
If you’d like, chop a small amount of fresh rosemary and stir it into the sauce for an added herbal flavor, or use the sprigs as a beautiful garnish.
7. Serve:
Transfer the cranberry sauce to a serving bowl. You can garnish it with fresh rosemary sprigs and orange slices if you want it to look extra fancy!
8. Enjoy:
Serve your orange cranberry sauce chilled or at room temperature with turkey, ham, or even spread on toast. It’s tangy, sweet, and simply delightful!
Can I Use Frozen Cranberries Instead of Fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh ones. You can use them straight from the freezer without needing to thaw them first, just keep an eye on the cooking time as they may take a minute longer to soften.
How Can I Adjust the Sweetness of the Sauce?
If you prefer a less sweet sauce, feel free to reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup or even a half cup depending on your taste. Remember, the sweetness can also balance out the tartness of the cranberries, so adjustment is personal! You can also experiment with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It actually gets better with time as the flavors meld together! You can reheat it gently on the stove or enjoy it cold.
Can I Make This Sauce Ahead of Time?
Definitely! This sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Just prepare it, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. It’s perfect for those busy holiday cooking days!
