Homemade Cranberry Sauce in my opinion is an essential part of the Thanksgiving plate. This fresh cranberry orange sauce recipe is classic with fresh, tart cranberries, orange zest and juice, and just a hint of brown sugar for sweetness. You'll wonder why you have never made it homemade before!
Whether you are team canned cranberry sauce or team fresh cranberry sauce, you are sure to love this homemade cranberry orange sauce recipe.
As far as Thanksgiving sides, it's one of my favorites!
A good cranberry sauce is one that is just the right amount sweet, while still being sour enough to cut through the heaviness of the rest of the classic Thanksgiving dishes. When made right, it can totally elevate your plate and take all the flavors to the next level!
Orange cranberry sauce is super simple to prepare, and only takes a few minutes. It's wonderful to watch and listen to as it cooks, the cranberries pop and burst creating a wonderful sauce. Next up, check out Homemade Unsweetened Applesauce.
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Ingredient Notes
- Fresh cranberries: Fresh cranberries are relatively easy to find at most grocery stores in the fall and early winter. If you can't find them, check the freezer section. Frozen cranberries work as well.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar helps sweeten up the tart cranberries in a richer way than regular white sugar. You can use less or more depending on your preference and how sweet and juicy the orange is. I suggest somewhere between 2-4 tablespoons. I prefer my cranberry sauce less sweet and do 2 tablespoons.
- Navel orange: This recipe uses both the fresh orange juice and the zest of a navel orange. Pick a ripe one that is free of blemishes. Valencia oranges also work very well.
For a full list of ingredients, see the recipe card below.
Variation and Substitutions
- If you don't have an orange, orange juice can work as a a substitute. You will be missing the zest, but you will still get some of that orange flavor.
- Add in a cinnamon stick while simmering to give a little extra holiday flavor to this cranberry orange relish. Just be sure to remove it before serving.
How to Make
Step 1. Zest and juice one orange, add to small saucepan along with the cranberries.
Step 2. Turn on low heat and cook until cranberries begin to burst and pop. You can leave chunky or mash it to be smoother.
Step 3. Stir in brown sugar to taste.
Step 4. Add additional water or juice in needed to thin out. Serve warm or chilled.
Recipe Tips
- Simmer the sauce on low to avoid burning and make sure to stir it often. This is not a dish you will be able to leave the kitchen for long.
- Add a bit of water, cranberry juice, or extra orange juice if the sauce is too thick.
- The cranberries should start to fall apart the longer you cook them. You can stir them to reach your desired consistency or use a fork or even an immersion blender for a smoother sauce.
What to serve with cranberry sauce
Cranberry sauce in best known as a condiment to jazz up a thanksgiving plate. Serve it alongside a few slices of herb buttered turkey, a scoop of instant pot mashed potatoes covered in turkey gravy, and garlic green beans.
Enjoy this leftover cranberry sauce on a delicious Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich.
For something a little different, try it alongside venison stroganoff.
Recipe FAQs
You can, but the texture and flavor won't be quite the same. If using dried cranberries in this recipe, add a cup of cranberry juice as well, to help reconstitute the dried fruit.
Yes it can! This is a sauce that can totally be made ahead and thawed in the fridge a day or two before you are ready to serve it.
More Sauce Recipes
If you tried this Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love to hear from you.
Cranberry Orange Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2-4 tbs. brown sugar
- 1 navel orange juice and zest
Instructions
- Zest and juice one orange, add to small saucepan along with the cranberries.
- Turn heat on low and cook until cranberries begin to burst and pop. You can leave chunky or mash it to be smoother.
- Stir in brown sugar to taste. Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
- Simmer the sauce on low to avoid burning and make sure to stir it often. This is not a dish you will be able to leave the kitchen for long.
- Add a bit of water, cranberry juice, or extra orange juice if the sauce is too thick.
- The cranberries should start to fall apart the longer you cook them. You can stir them to reach your desired consistency or use a fork or even an immersion blender for a smoother sauce.
Melissa Szymczak says
This recipe looks awesome! I’m definitely going to try making my own soon.