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    Home ≫ Condiments & Sauces

    Orange Cranberry Sauce

    Updated November 10, 2022. Originally Posted November 14, 2020 By Nikole This post may contain Amazon affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe
    A bowl of cranberry sauce on a wooden table set for thanksgiving.
    Cranberry sauce with cinnamon and orange.
    Cinnamon and orange cranberry sauce.
    cranberry sauce with orange zest on top.
    the best cranberry sauce
    easy homemade cranberry sauce
    easy homemade cranberry sauce

    This orange cranberry sauce recipe is sure to become a family favorite. This easy, simple recipe combines the autumn and winter flavors of cloves and cinnamon for the perfect Thanksgiving and holiday side dish. Cooks up in about 20 minutes and can be made ahead!

    A bowl of cranberry sauce on a wooden table set for thanksgiving.

    Why you'll love it

    It's quick and easy! This orange cranberry sauce is an easy recipe to add to your Thanksgiving or holiday repertoire! Even if you've never made your own homemade cranberry sauce, you'll be so pleased with how easy it is.

    It uses easy to find fresh and pantry staples! Fresh cranberries are plentiful during fall and winter and are readily available at the grocery store.

    It's a classic cranberry sauce recipe- No shame in your game if you love canned cranberry sauce (I actually love it too). But if you're after something easy and homemade, you should give this orange cranberry sauce recipe a try.

    Ingredients

    • Fresh cranberries (frozen cranberries also work great)
    • Orange, including orange zest
    • Fresh orange juice - substitute with water, cranberry juice, or apple juice
    • Sugar - you can use a mix of white sugar and brown sugar
    • Ground cloves
    • Cinnamon stick
    fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, ground cloves, cinnamon stick, orange

    Instructions

    Zest orange (do this first) then cut orange in half and squeeze out the juice.

    Zested and juiced orange on a cutting board.

    Add orange juice (and reserved juice) along with sugar to a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir as sugar dissolves. When sugar has melted, add cranberries, zest, cinnamon stick, and zest. Stir to combine.

    Orange juice and sugar in a sauce pan. Cranberries, cinnamon stick and orange zest in a saucepan.

    Bring mixture to a boil over medium to medium high heat. Cook until cranberries burst and sauce thickens slightly-about 10 minutes. I usually start on medium high heat then turn down to medium. Let cool in pan then store covered in refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Cooking cranberries in orange juice. Cranberries sauce in a sauce pan.

    Recipe notes and kitchen tips

    • A good saucepan is key to making a good sauce. I love my All Clad cookware because it's lasted more than 10 years and is great at even heating.
    • Allow several hours for your orange cranberry sauce to cool completely. Serve cold or at room temperature.
    • The cranberries will pop and splatter a little as they cook. Don't stand over the pot until most of them have burst.
    • This orange cranberry sauce is quite versatile. Add chopped pecans for a southern twist. Add chopped apple, dried cranberries, or dried cherries for variety.

    Quick facts

    How do I make my cranberry sauce thicker?

    Reduce to amount of liquid you add and let the sauce simmer longer to help the liquid evaporate. You can also add a cornstarch or tapioca flour and water mixture (1:1 ratio) to the sauce while it's simmering.

    What's the difference between cranberry relish and cranberry sauce?

    Cranberry relish is made from raw ingredients that have been blended together. Cranberry sauce is cooked.

    How far in advance can you make cranberry sauce?

    Cranberry sauce can be made in advance 10 days to two weeks and kept in the refrigerator. You can make it two months ahead if you freeze it.

    Can you freeze cranberry sauce?

    Yes, in fact that's a great way to make it ahead. Pack it in an airtight container and freeze for up to two months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

    What to eat with orange cranberry sauce?

    • Easy Roast Turkey
    • Air Fryer Whole Chicken
    • Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
    • Corn Casserole
    • Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
    • Pumpkin Brownies
    • Pumpkin Apple Soup

    Thank you for reading this recipe! If you make it, I’d love for you to give it a ★ rating  below.

    Let’s connect on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I appreciate your support.

    cranberry sauce with orange zest on top.

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    bowl of cranberry sauce on a table

    Fresh Cranberry Sauce

    Recipe by Nikole Berg
    Easy homemade cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries! You'll love this simple recipe that combines orange and cinnamon for the perfect thanksgiving and holiday side dish.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Sides
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 Servings
    Calories 69 kcal

    Equipment

    3 quart pan

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 orange zested and squeezed, juice reserved
    • ¾  cup orange juice plus reserved fresh orange juice
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 - 12 ounce package fresh cranberries
    • 1 stick cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse and drain cranberries; set aside.
    • Zest whole orange then cut in half and squeeze out juice.
    • In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add orange juices and sugar. Stir as sugar dissolves.
    • Add cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and cloves to sugar mixture. Bring to a gentle boil then cook until cranberries burst, and sauce begins to thicken-about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cranberries will pop and may splatter so beware!
    • Let cool in pan. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Notes

    • Allow several hours to cool completely. Serve cold or at room temperature. I like to make it a couple days ahead, then bring it out about on hour before serving.
    • Cranberry sauce is quite versatile. Add chopped pecans for a southern twist. Add dried cranberries or dried cherries. 
    • Keep in mind that the using more or less liquid will determine how saucy the final product is.
    • Make up to two weeks ahead-store tightly covered in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 69kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 58mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 55IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, orange cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving recipes
    Tried this recipe?Click here to leave a helpful tip!

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    About Nikole

    Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Denise

      November 25, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      My husband loves this recipe ... it'll be our go to!

      Reply
      • Nikole

        November 25, 2020 at 8:56 pm

        Woohoo!! I made mine today and it's in the fridge ready to go! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

        Reply
    2. Alice

      April 27, 2019 at 1:13 pm

      My family really loved it!

      Reply
    3. Amanda Wright

      November 14, 2018 at 11:59 am

      This looks amazing!

      Reply

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    Welcome, I'm Nikole! I'm the blogger, photographer, and recipe developer dedicated to bringing you recipes that are simple to make, affordable and taste incredible.

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