You’ll never buy cranberry sauce after making this simple, 4 ingredient recipe for Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce. Fifteen minutes to cook and you are done! Can be made the day before serving.
Freshly made Cranberry Sauce is always a favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table.
Not just because it has less than 5 ingredients or only takes 15 minutes but for the flavor.
Fresh, bright and sunny. It adds pizzaz to the favorite but less flavorful Thanksgiving companion dishes.
Cranberry sauce also is one of the most versatile holiday recipes for leftovers too.
This recipe was originally given to me while I was in college finding my way in the kitchen. It was about my speed: easy, fast and fool proof.
My friend’s mother who gave it to me would make it formed in a mold.
I loved it in a more free wheeling, rustic presentation as shared in the recipe today. If it’s possible, my version is even easier.
Even if you loved the ribbed cranberry jelly from a can, this recipe will make you a fresh cranberry sauce convert!
Cranberry Orange Sauce Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries
- Granulated White Sugar
- Freshly squeezed Orange Juice
- Orange Zest
Orange Juice
It’s easy to use purchased orange juice from concentrate but trust me a few minutes of time in juicing makes all the difference.
The recipe only requires 2/3 cup of orange juice so it will be fast to juice the orange.
I have a few tools I use for juicing that I love. A handheld juicer and a glass juicer. Of course squeezing the orange will work well too!
PRO TIP: To get more juice out of oranges (or any citrus fruit) place it in the microweave for 10 seconds before juicing.
Orange Zest
Using a zester or fine mesh grater works best for zesting.
The zest is the outermost layer of the orange. Do not grate the pith, the white under layer or it will add bitterness to the cranberry orange sauce.
My favorite zester: I never thought I could get excited about a zester but this zests everything like it’s zesting butter.
For more specifics check this post about Orange Zest.
Fresh Cranberries
Fresh cranberries are only available in stores in the United Stares in the fall. Buy extra bags of them to stick in the freezer.
Then you can have cranberries all year long for recipes.
Fresh cranberries can be frozen in their bag up to one year.
TIP: I place the bags of cranberries in freezer plastic bags for extra protection aginst freezer burn.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Sauce – Step by Step
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over high heat.
Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil. Boil until all cranberries have burst (about 5 minutes).
Remove from heat and allow to fully cool (the sauce thickens as it cools).
How to Store Cranberry Sauce
In the Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 14 days.
In the Freezer
Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to one year. Thaw in the refrigerator.
NOTE: the texture of the cranberry sauce may be smoother after freezing.
How to Use Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Serve with other Thanksgiving Recipes
- Turkey Cranberry-Chipotle Quesadillas
- Thanksgiving Leftovers Bacon Provolone Pita Pockets
- Serve over Baked Brie as an appetizer
- Serve over a block of room temperature Cream Cheese with crackers
More Cranberry Recipes to Try
- Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce
- Spicy Honey Cranberry Sauce
- Slow Cooker Cranberry-Pear Sauce with Ginger
- Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Appetizer Roll
- Cranberry Salsa
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Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce
This easy cranberry sauce is made with wholesome ingredients with bright flavors. Sure to be the hit of the dinner table.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh Cranberries , rinsed
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2/3 cup freshly squeezed Orange Juice
- Zest of 1 medium Orange
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan over medium high heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring to a boil. Boil, stirring periodically, until all the cranberries burst (about 5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and allow to fully cool. Note: the sauce will thicken as it cools.
Originally published: November 20, 2016
Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce is fast and easy to make. It will be the hit of any meal!
Tania says
Um, you’re right, I will never buy cranberry sauce again with this recipe! This will also go great on leftover turkey sandwiches post-Thanksgiving!
Amanda West says
I love this twist with the orange! I bet it’s delicious, can’t wait to try it
Elizabeth Lampman says
This will be a great addition to our holiday meal. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this week.
Lisa Bristol says
I am excited to make this for Thanksgiving. I think the orange will add a nice flavor to it.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I have never made my own cranberry sauce before. This recipe looks so delicious and easy to make.
Theresa says
Cranberry sauce is one of my favorite sides! I love the addition of the orange flavor you have here. It sounds like a tasty twist on a classic favorite!
Amy Desrosiers says
I love fresh cranberry sauce! This looks like it is very similar to my cranberry sauce staple.
Vera Sweeney says
I have never had a sauce like this before!!! I love cranberries this would be amazing with Turkey!
Alicia says
Looks delicious and something my husband would love! It’s the perfect addition to any holiday table.
Meagan says
This looks so amazing. I am sure my son would love it!
Pam says
This is pretty much the recipe we have always used for our Thanksgiving and Christmas cranberry sauce. It has always been a hit.
Toni Dash says
Great minds think alike!
Shell says
This cranberry sauce sounds delicious. I like the addition of orange.
Marcie W. says
Cranberry sauce is an absolute must with my turkey and nothing beats homemade! Love that touch of orange too.
Lisa Favre says
Can I just mention how lovely your photos are?! This cranberry sauce seems absolutely delightful!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Lisa! You absolutely can and I appreciate it!
Tara says
I love making my own cranberry sauce with its sweet-tart flavor. I look forward to trying your recipe.
Stacie says
The canned cranberry jelly doesn’t even compare to homemade. I’ll have to try your recipe the next time I make some.
Merry Kuchle says
This recipe sounds amazing. Making cranberry sauce from scratch is so worth it. The taste is so much better than canned!
Catherine Sargent says
This looks so yummy. I am going to make this for Thanksgiving, I am always looking for new recipes to try.
Melissa @ Married my sugar daddy says
I wasn’t sure what to make for my sister’s thanksgiving feast! And now that I’ve read your post I have my dish! Thank you!!
Reesa Lewandowski says
I love the combo of cranberry and orange together! I could just sit and eat it with a spoon!
Jeanette says
We have always done the canned cranberry sauce I’m definitely going to try to rest. It’s going to taste a whole lot better for sure.
Toni Dash says
This is a great alternative and it’s so easy!
Anne Fibersprængning says
That looks amazing! And it is even quite easy to make!
It is on my must try list for christmas:-)
Sabrina says
My family always cuts the can of cranberry sauce lengthwise with a turkey-shaped cookie cutter, then slices that into turkey-shaped slices. Give it a try! Me, I make sauce much like yours. Both are delicious!
Kim @ What's That Smell? says
I like my cranberry sauce to be can shaped LOL. Seriously though this looks and sounds delicious and will be a perfect addition to our Thanksgiving dinner!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds so good! I make homemade cranberry sauce every year, and I love this twist on it. I can’t wait to make this.