Move over, canned jelly! This homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce is about to become the star of your holiday table. Bursting with bright, tart cranberries and sweet, sunny orange flavor, this sauce is so much more than a side dish; it’s a vibrant, tangy sweet condiment that elevates everything it touches. And the best part? It comes together in one pot with just 5 simple ingredients in about 20 minutes. This is the easy, from scratch recipe that will make your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even weeknight roast chicken feel extra special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably Easy: 5 ingredients, one pot, and 20 minutes from start to finish.
- Fresh, Bright Flavor: The combination of fresh orange juice and zest gives it a sunshine-y flavor you just can’t get from a can.
- Perfect Make Ahead: It can be made days in advance, freeing up precious stove space on the big day.
- Endlessly Versatile: It’s perfect for turkey, but also amazing on pancakes, yogurt, or even paired with cheese.
Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Sauce
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 large orange)
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest (from about 2 oranges)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (or more, to taste)
- 1 (12 oz) bag fresh or frozen cranberries
Instructions for Making Cranberry Orange Sauce
1Create the Sweet Citrus Base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and sugar.
Stir occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is warm. This creates a simple, fragrant syrup.
2Simmer the Cranberries: Stir in the entire bag of cranberries. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes. You’ll hear the cranberries pop as they burst open!
3Watch the Magic Happen: As the cranberries cook, they will release their natural pectin and the sauce will begin to thicken beautifully. It’s ready when it has reduced to a jam like consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
4Cool and Thicken: Remove the saucepan from the heat. The sauce will continue to thicken significantly as it cools.
For the best texture and flavor, let it cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to a serving bowl. It will thicken into the perfect, spoonable sauce.
5Serve or Store: Taste and add a little more sugar if you prefer a sweeter sauce. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
The BEST Cranberry Orange Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 12 oz bag fresh cranberries
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, orange juice, orange zest, and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Stir in cranberries. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have burst and sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely. Sauce will thicken further as it cools.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
