Bright & Zingy Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe for Holidays

Thanksgiving dinner sparkles with homemade cranberry orange sauce that bursts with vibrant, zesty flavors.

This classic side dish combines tart cranberries with bright citrus notes that dance across your palate.

Fresh cranberries simmer gently, releasing their natural sweetness and creating a gorgeous crimson condiment.

Orange zest and a hint of cinnamon add depth and warmth to the traditional recipe.

The sauce comes together quickly, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Each spoonful promises a burst of festive flavor that complements roasted turkey perfectly.

You’ll love how this sauce transforms your holiday meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 70 kcal

Servings: 9

Cranberry Orange Sauce Ingredient Rundown

• Cranberries: Tart berries that create the sauce's vibrant color and zesty flavor, choose plump and firm fresh or frozen berries without soft spots.
• Orange Juice: Provides natural sweetness and citrusy depth, fresh-squeezed juice offers the most intense flavor profile.

• Sugar: Balances the cranberries' tartness and helps create a smooth, glossy sauce texture, granulated white sugar works best for consistent results.

• Orange Zest: Adds bright, concentrated citrus essence that elevates the entire sauce's complexity, use fresh zest for maximum fragrant impact.
• Cinnamon: Optional warm spice that introduces subtle warmth and depth, ground cinnamon blends seamlessly into the sauce's texture.

• Water: Helps create the right sauce consistency and prevents burning, use filtered water for pure flavor.

Tools for Making Tangy and Sweet Cranberry Orange Sauce

• Medium saucepan: Essential for cooking down cranberries and creating the sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Zester or grater: Helps extract orange zest for added citrus flavor.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting board: Useful for zesting orange and preparing ingredients.

How to Cook a Smooth Cranberry Orange Sauce

• Toss Berries Into Saucepan

Grab your cranberries and drop them into a medium saucepan, creating a vibrant red foundation for your delicious sauce.

• Create Flavor Magic

Pour in orange juice and sprinkle some sugar, adding a splash of water and a hint of zesty orange peel. If you’re feeling adventurous, drop in a touch of cinnamon for extra warmth.

• Bring to Boiling Dance

Crank up the heat and watch your mixture transform, stirring occasionally as the cranberries start to pop and bubble. Let the berries simmer and break down for about 10 minutes until the sauce looks glossy and thick.

• Let Sauce Rest and Chill

Take the pan off the heat and let your sauce cool naturally. It’ll continue to thicken as it rests. For maximum flavor, chill in the refrigerator before serving. The sauce will become a gorgeous, deep crimson spread perfect for any holiday table.

Flavor Ideas and Texture Tips to Try

• Simmer slowly to prevent burning and ensure even cooking of cranberries.
• Prepare sauce up to 5 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for stress-free holiday prep.
• Add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of ground ginger for extra warmth and depth of flavor.
• Replace sugar with honey or maple syrup for a refined sugar-free version, or use a sugar substitute for a lower-carb option that's diabetic-friendly.
• For a smoother sauce, press cooked mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove cranberry skins and create a silky consistency.

Pair This Sauce with Mains or Toast

• Festive Holiday Centerpiece: Arrange the cranberry orange sauce in a beautiful crystal bowl surrounded by fresh rosemary sprigs and whole cranberries for an elegant thanksgiving or christmas table display.
• Versatile Meal Companion: Pair this vibrant sauce with roasted turkey, glazed ham, grilled chicken, or spread on warm rolls for an instant flavor boost during holiday meals or weekend dinners.
• Gourmet Gift Idea: Transfer the cooled sauce into decorative mason jars, tie with a festive ribbon, and create homemade edible gifts perfect for neighbors, friends, or family during the winter season.
• Dessert Enhancement: Drizzle over vanilla cheesecake, pound cake, or swirl into yogurt for a tangy-sweet complement that transforms simple desserts into gourmet treats with minimal effort.

Keep the Sauce Bright with Smart Storage

• Store the cranberry orange sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, maintaining its vibrant flavor and smooth texture.
• Transfer the cooled sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some expansion space. Freeze for up to 3 months for extended enjoyment.
• Prepare the sauce 2-3 days before your event to allow flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more complex and delicious condiment.
• Serve the sauce slightly chilled or at room temperature to enhance its bright citrus notes and tangy cranberry essence, perfect for holiday meals or everyday enjoyment.

Tangy Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cranberry orange sauce brings festive cheer to holiday tables with its tangy-sweet profile. Homemade goodness blends zesty citrus and tart berries, creating a perfect companion for roasted meats and warm bread that you’ll savor with delight.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 bag (12 oz/ 340 g) fresh cranberries
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) orange juice (freshly squeezed, if possible)
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prep Base: Merge cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, and optional cinnamon into a medium saucepan, thoroughly mixing ingredients to ensure even distribution.
2. Active Cooking: Elevate heat to medium-high, allowing mixture to reach a rolling boil. Immediately transition to gentle simmer, continuously monitoring and occasionally stirring until cranberries rupture and sauce develops a rich, luxurious consistency, approximately 10-12 minutes.
3. Finishing Process: Extract saucepan from heat source, permitting natural cooling to room temperature. Sauce will progressively thicken during resting period. Optional: Refrigerate for enhanced flavor development and serving presentation, allowing sauce to achieve optimal texture and taste profile.

Notes

• Maintain a gentle simmer to prevent burning and ensure even cooking of cranberries without scorching the bottom of the pan.
• Gently press some cranberries with a wooden spoon during cooking to create a more complex sauce consistency with both whole and burst berries.
• Taste and add more sugar incrementally if the sauce is too tart, understanding that cranberries naturally have intense acidity.
• Consider adding a splash of Grand Marnier or vanilla extract in the final moments of cooking to elevate the orange-cranberry profile with subtle complexity.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 70
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg