Description
This quick and easy *Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce* brings together fresh cranberries, zesty orange juice, and a touch of cinnamon for a festive, jammy side dish. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy winter meal. Use it as a topping, spread, or side—and enjoy a homemade upgrade over canned versions. Ideal for holiday dinners, easy recipes, and flavorful food ideas that come together in 15 minutes!
Ingredients
12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 orange, zested
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)
1 pinch salt
Optional: thin orange slices, rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 10–12 minutes until most cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
3. Taste the sauce. Adjust sweetness or add more orange zest if needed.
4. Remove from heat and let it cool. It will thicken further as it sits.
5. Transfer to a bowl. Garnish with orange slices and rosemary if desired. Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
The sauce will thicken more as it cools—don’t overcook.
You can use frozen cranberries directly without thawing.
For a fun twist, add a splash of vanilla or a dash of clove.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg