Cranberry Orange Sauce
This vibrant, homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s the easy, make ahead upgrade your holiday table needs!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- ½ cup granulated sugar or more to taste
- 1 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, orange juice, orange zest, and sugar over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved (3-4 minutes).
- Stir in the fresh cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Let cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened to a jam like consistency, about 12-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool completely. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Notes
- Fresh vs. Frozen: A 12 oz bag of frozen cranberries can be used without thawing; simmer for an extra 2-3 minutes.
- Sweetness: Taste after cooling and add an extra tablespoon of sugar if desired.
- Storage: Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.