This delicious and fruity homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice is extremely easy to make with only 3 ingredients. It is the perfect condiment to serve with your Christmas lunch or Thanksgiving dinner. The leftovers are great for sandwiches or cheese boards, and it only takes 15 minutes to prepare. Once you've tried this amazingly easy recipe, you will never want to use shop-bought Cranberry Sauce again!
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Same as Cranberry Orange Muffins, this Thanksgiving and Christmas staple is made with plump cranberries and fresh oranges. You can use fresh or frozen cranberries, swap the oranges with clementines, or add extra flavorings such as cinnamon, port, or vanilla.
Why This Recipe Works?
- This Cranberry Sauce is made with freshly squeezed orange juice and tastes delicious with a balanced sweetness and tartness to it.
- You can make it for up to 2 weeks ahead.
- The leftovers are perfect for making sandwiches or serving on a cheese or charcuterie board.
- All you need is 3 ingredients and 15 minutes to make Cranberry Sauce with Oranges from scratch.
Ingredients and Substitutes
- Cranberries - I love fresh cranberries for their extra burst but you may use frozen. If using frozen, you might need to cook the sauce for another 5-7 minutes to achieve a jelly-like consistency. Dried cranberries don't work well with this recipe.
- Orange zest - Zest your orange with a Microplane zester before you juice it.
- Orange juice - Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor. Alternatively, you can use pomegranate or clementine juice, or even red wine or port.
- Sugar - I prefer brown sugar but you can use any type of sugar you have in hand. Adjust the amount to your taste.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice?
Making this Cranberry Sauce is very easy, and you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results:
Place the orange juice, orange zest, and sugar in a pan. Stir well, and bring the mixture to a boil on medium heat.
Add the cranberries and then gently simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, until the skins of the cranberries start bursting.
Remove the pan from the heat, and use the back of a spoon to crush the cranberries into a jam-like texture.
Alternatively, you can pass the mixture through a sieve or blitz it with a hand blender to achieve a smooth and jelly-like texture.
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full, printable recipe!
Top Tips From the Chef
- If you want to have a less strong orange flavor, replace half of the orange juice with water.
- When using frozen cranberries for Cranberry Sauce, you might need to cook the sauce for another 5-7 minutes to achieve a jelly-like consistency.
- Zest your orange before you juice it, not after!
What to Serve Cranberry Sauce With?
Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice is a traditional condiment/sauce that is usually paired with roast turkey, lamb, or chicken for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Why not try serving it with Slow Roasted Turkey Leg (With Gravy), Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder, or Rice Stuffed Chicken?
Also, the leftovers are perfect for making sandwiches, adding to Cranberry Cheesecake Brownies, or serving with cheese&charcuterie boards.
Recipe FAQs
This homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice will last for up to 2 weeks when refrigerated in an airtight container or a glass jar. It is perfect for making ahead for Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner.
Yes, you can freeze this sauce for up to 6 months in glass jars, zip-top freezer bags, or containers.
Yes, you can substitute sugar with sweeteners like Truvia or Splenda.
Related Recipes
For more delicious sauce and condiment recipes why not try:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making this festive Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!
Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 250 g cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 100 g brown sugar
- 100 ml orange juice
- 1 orange zest
Instructions
- Place the orange juice, orange zest, sugar, and cranberries in a pan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil on medium heat and then gently simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, until the skins of the cranberries start bursting.
- Remove the pan from the heat, and use the back of a spoon to crush the cranberries into a jam-like texture.
- Alternatively, you can pass the mixture through a sieve or blitz it with a hand blender to achieve a smooth and jelly-like texture.
Notes
- If you want to have a less strong orange flavor, replace half of the orange juice with water.
- When using frozen cranberries for Cranberry Sauce, you might need to cook the sauce for another 5-7 minutes to achieve a jelly-like consistency.
- Zest your orange before you juice it, not after!
- This homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice will last for up to 2 weeks when refrigerated in an airtight container or a glass jar.
- Alternatively, you can freeze this sauce for up to 6 months in glass jars, zip-top freezer bags, or containers.
- For a sugar-free version, substitute sugar with sweeteners like Truvia or Splenda.
Nutrition
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Emily
Love the fresh zingy taste and the visual appeal. This was such a big hit with family!
Ayla Clulee
Thank you, Emily, so glad to hear that.
Best wishes
Ayla