This colorful cranberry orange sauce is a perfect blend of tart cranberries and zesty oranges. It’s sweet, tangy, and adds a festive touch to any meal!
Making it is super easy—just simmer the ingredients together and watch it transform into a tasty sauce! I love serving it with turkey, but it’s great on breakfast items too!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are best for their bright flavor. If they’re out of season, frozen cranberries work great too. Just thaw them before using.
Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the tartness. You can use honey or maple syrup if you prefer a more natural sweetener. Just adjust the amount to taste!
Orange Juice and Zest: Freshly squeezed juice adds freshness. If you’re in a pinch, bottled juice is okay, but the flavor won’t be as vibrant. Don’t skip the zest; it really brightens up the flavor!
Water: This helps to dissolve the sugar and keep the sauce from burning. You could use orange soda or lemonade for extra flavor instead, if you like!
Fresh Rosemary: This is optional, but it adds a lovely herbal note. If you’re not a fan, just leave it out or try a little mint instead for a different twist.
How Do I Get the Perfect Texture for My Cranberry Sauce?
Getting the right texture is key to a great cranberry sauce! Follow these simple steps:
- Start with rinsing the cranberries to remove any debris. This ensures a cleaner taste.
- As the mixture simmers, stir regularly. This helps to break down the cranberries and avoids any sticking.
- Watch for the cranberries to burst—this usually takes about 10-15 minutes. You’ll know when it’s done when the mixture thickens up nicely!
- Let the sauce cool completely before serving. It will thicken a bit more as it cools down.
Feel free to adjust sweeteners or add more zest to get your perfect taste! Enjoy your creation!
How to Make Cranberry Orange Sauce
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 12 oz (about 3 cups) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 oranges)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/4 cup water
- Optional: 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary for garnish and subtle flavor
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare. You’ll spend around 10 minutes prepping the ingredients and about 15 minutes cooking the sauce. After that, it needs to cool to room temperature, making it ready to serve in no time!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cranberries:
Start by rinsing the cranberries under cold water. Take a moment to look through them and remove any stems or berries that are mushy or damaged. This little step makes a big difference in flavor!
2. Combine Ingredients:
In a medium saucepan, mix together the cleaned cranberries, granulated sugar, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and water. Stir everything together to combine the ingredients evenly.
3. Start Cooking:
Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Make sure to stir occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan!
4. Let It Simmer:
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You’ll hear the cranberries popping as they burst and cook, and the sauce will start to thicken. Give it a stir every now and then!
5. Cool the Sauce:
After the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove it from the heat. Let the sauce cool down to room temperature; it will continue to thicken as it cools.
6. Add the Finishing Touches:
If you’d like, garnish your sauce with fresh orange slices and a sprig of rosemary for an extra pop of color and flavor!
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Your cranberry orange sauce is now ready! Serve it chilled or at room temperature alongside your favorite holiday dishes, meats, or even on breakfast items like pancakes. Enjoy the bright flavors!
Can I Use Frozen Cranberries for This Sauce?
Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them before cooking, or you can use them straight from the freezer; just add an extra few minutes to the cooking time as they may take longer to simmer.
How Can I Adjust the Sweetness?
If you prefer a sweeter sauce, simply add more sugar gradually until it reaches your desired level of sweetness. Conversely, you can reduce the sugar if you like it more tart. Start with half a cup and taste as you go!
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover cranberry orange sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. To reheat, warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little water or orange juice if it thickens too much.
Can I Make This Sauce Ahead of Time?
Yes! This sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Just prepare it as directed, let it cool, and then store it in the fridge. This will also allow the flavors to meld and deepen!
