By 
Skip the canned version! This Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce is incredibly easy to make. With bright citrus flavor and whole cranberries, it's the perfect blend of sweet and tart for your Thanksgiving feast.
I know some people aren't fans of cranberry sauce, but it's one of my favorite parts of the holiday season! The taste of homemade cranberry sauce is the perfect balance of fresh and tart, pairing perfectly with roast turkey, chicken, or duck!
Trust me, it's way better than the canned stuff and takes almost no time at all. Plus, it's made from fresh ingredients, and there are no extras.
This easy homemade version is made with just a few simple ingredients. It's perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with mashed potatoes, acorn squash, or cornbread pudding.
Jump to:
Ingredients You Will Need
- Cranberries - Whole fresh cranberries can be found in the produce section of the grocery store during the Fall and Winter months. They are tart, crisp, and will soften and slightly sweeten as they are cooked down. Frozen cranberries may also be used.
- Apple Cider - Apple cider adds a nice spice and flavor that pairs well with the cranberry. Apple juice or fresh orange juice can also be used as substitutes.
- Brown Sugar - I prefer using brown sugar in this recipe because of its deep, caramel flavor. Granulated white sugar can also be used.
- Nutmeg - Nutmeg has a rich, woody flavor with a hint of sweetness that tastes great. Use ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, or ground allspice as alternatives.
Variations You Can Try
- Spicy - Dice up a jalapeno and cook it with the cranberries to make this a spicy orange cranberry sauce.
- Nuts - Sprinkle the finished and cooled cranberry sauce with chopped pecans or walnuts for some extra crunch.
How to Make Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce
Mix the Ingredients - First, mix all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and then bring to a boil over medium heat on the stovetop.
Simmer the Sauce - Reduce the heat and allow it to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries pop, then soften.
Chill and Serve - Chill the finished sauce for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator and top with extra orange peel for garnish, if desired!
Amanda's Expert Tips
- Make sure to stir the sauce occasionally as it's cooking to prevent burning. It also helps to mash the cranberries a bit to help them cook down.
- Don't skimp on the chilling time in the refrigerator. The sauce will thicken as it cools, and it also gives time for the flavors to infuse together.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Thanksgiving dinner, plan for at least ¼ cup of cranberry sauce per person. If your guests like cranberry sauce or you want to have leftovers, plan for ½ cup per person.
Cranberry sauce can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Glossary
If you don't recognize a tool or skill I mentioned, you can look it up in my Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information!
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
This Orange Cranberry Sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container for 3-5 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months. Frozen cranberry sauce can be thawed in the refrigerator.
Thanksgiving Recipes
If you loved this recipe for orange cranberry sauce recipe, try these other Thanksgiving recipes that I know you will love too!
Recipe
Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh whole cranberries
- 1 cup apple cider
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon orange zest, approximately 1 medium orange
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients into a medium sized pot and stir to combine.
- Heat the pot on the stovetop over medium high heat until it begins to boil and the cranberries start to pop.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes. The cranberries should be softened and the sauce should be slightly thickened.
- Chill the cooked cranberry sauce in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight for best results.
Notes
- Plan for ¼ - ½ cup of cranberry sauce per person.
- Make sure to stir the sauce and mash down the cranberries as it's cooking.
- Chill overnight for best results. The sauce will thicken as it cools and it will give time for the flavors to combine.
- Serve the cranberry sauce chilled or at room temperature.
Substitutions and Variations
- Apple Cider - Apple juice or even orange juice can also be used as substitutes.
- Brown Sugar - White granulated sugar may be used instead.
- Nutmeg - Ground cinnamon or allspice can be used instead or in addition.
- Spicy - Dice up a jalapeno and cook it with the cranberries.
- Nuts - Sprinkle cooled cranberry sauce with chopped pecans or walnuts.
Comments
No Comments