After making countless variations, this is the one I've happily settled on. No cinnamon or other spices; I like a straightforward cranberry flavor. It's sweet, tart, and easy to make ahead for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I like that the orange adds flavor without overpowering the cranberries, and there's no need for extra spices.
There's nothing quite like homemade cranberry orange sauce. Yes, you can buy it from the store and save yourself some food prep time, but when you make it yourself you get to experiment with the basic concept and modify it to be far more "you" than store-bought.
Food Network's Sunny Anderson knows this all too well--her own Food Network recipe is to purchase a store-bought cranberry sauce and add her own ingredients. Anderson whisks her store-bought, and adds fresh cranberries to jazz up the dish.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange
This recipe is so easy and fast to make, and it is perfect for your night-before food prep. You don't have to wait until Thanksgiving to make this--make it ahead of time and stash it in the fridge!
This cranberry sauce recipe has a subtle orange flavor and there is no "spin" on the fruit-forward approach here--no cinnamon or other spices. This is a good recipe for anyone who prefers a "straightforward" cranberry flavor with a subtle citrusy twist that will pair well with your juicy turkey!
If you prefer a homemade cranberry sauce without oranges try this recipe.
Orange Cranberry Sauce Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries: Tart cranberries are the featured ingredient providing a tangy element.
- Granulated sugar: Granulated white sugar gives this sauce just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the tartness.
- Orange juice & orange zest: The addition of orange juice and orange zest brings a lively, citrusy brightness to the sauce. I use strips of orange zest instead of finely grated zest because they're easy to remove after cooking. They give the sauce a subtle orange flavor without leaving bits of peel throughout.
- Salt: A little bit of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
If you wish to add your own touch to this recipe try adding cinnamon, honey, nuts, dried fruits, vanilla or even jalapeños for a touch of heat.
Find the complete ingredients list with amounts in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Place all ingredients into a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir gently and frequently until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium. Continue to stir frequently and cook until cranberries start to pop and split.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool. Remove orange zest and chill until ready to serve.
Can You Use Frozen Cranberries?
Yes! Frozen cranberries work just as well in this sauce, and there's no need to thaw them first. Add them directly to the saucepan and allow a little extra cooking time. They'll soften and release their juices as they heat.
Why Cranberry Sauce Thickens as It Cools
Cranberries contain natural pectin, which helps the sauce thicken as it cools. Don't worry if it looks a little loose when you take it off the stove. Give it time to cool and refrigerate before deciding whether it needs more cooking.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Cranberry orange sauce is a great make-ahead dish, because it thickens as it cools. Make a day or two before Thanksgiving and keep covered in the refrigerator. Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to one week, or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. Refrigerate overnight to thaw before serving.
I usually make cranberry sauce a day or two before Thanksgiving. It keeps well in the refrigerator, and having one side dish finished ahead of time makes holiday cooking a little easier.
Leftover Cranberry Orange Sauce Ideas
Leftover orange cranberry sauce works well with many dishes. Here are some ideas:
- Spread on toast or sandwiches
- Use the sauce as a marinade or glaze prior to roasting or grilling
- Make a smoothie with yogurt, ice cream, juice or fruits
- Use a salad dressing with olive oil, vinegar and other seasonings
- Stir into oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Add an orange cranberry layer in a parfait
- Make an orange cranberry cream cheese dip
- Use as a cold or warm waffle, pancake or ice cream topping
Cranberry Orange Sauce with Fresh Orange Zest
This easy cranberry orange sauce has a bright, subtle citrus flavor from fresh orange zest and a little orange juice. A simple make-ahead side for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed and sorted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 large strips fresh orange zest, avoiding the white pith
- 1 large pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir gently and frequently until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries begin releasing their juices.
- Increase the heat to medium. Continue cooking for about 8–12 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the cranberries pop and split and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Discard the orange zest strips, transfer to a serving bowl, and refrigerate until ready to serve. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Notes
Cooking tip: There's very little liquid in this recipe at first, so keep the heat low and stir frequently until the cranberries begin releasing their juices. Increase the heat once there's enough liquid to simmer gently.
Texture: Leave a few cranberries whole for a little texture. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 123Total Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 73mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 2gSugar: 27gProtein: 0g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
Try these Delicious Cranberry Recipes:
- 3-Ingredient Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Roasted Cranberry Chicken
- Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls
- Baked Camembert with Cranberry & Walnuts
- Sugared Cranberries
- Horseradish Sauce For Prime Rib - September 29, 2026
- Whole Oven Roasted Onions (+ 33 Ways to Use Them!) - January 6, 2026
- Easy Tater Tot Casserole - December 19, 2025
Leave a Reply