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Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe: Easy Homemade Holiday Flavor Booster

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This vibrant cranberry orange sauce is a quick, festive side dish that brings sweet-tart flavor and beautiful color to any holiday table. Made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and zest, it’s perfect for turkey, ham, desserts, or breakfast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries (about 3 cups)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup orange juice (fresh-squeezed preferred)
  • Zest from 1 large orange
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Optional: pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
  • Optional: 1-2 tbsp brandy or Grand Marnier
  • Optional: dash of vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Rinse cranberries in a colander under cool water, removing any soft or shriveled berries. (No need to thaw if using frozen.)
  2. Zest one large orange using a microplane or fine grater, avoiding the bitter white pith. Squeeze the orange to get 1/2 cup juice.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and water.
  4. Place saucepan over medium-high heat and stir occasionally. Bring to a boil (about 5 minutes), listening for cranberries to pop.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring every minute, until most cranberries burst and sauce thickens (about 10 minutes). For chunkier sauce, cook less; for smoother, cook longer and mash with spoon.
  6. Stir in optional add-ins (cinnamon, brandy, vanilla) if desired. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  7. Check consistency: sauce will thicken as it cools. If too thick, add a splash of water; if too thin, simmer a few more minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 30 minutes. Transfer to a bowl or jar and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
  9. Serve chilled or at room temperature with turkey, ham, desserts, or breakfast dishes.

Notes

For best flavor, chill sauce overnight before serving. Adjust sugar to taste based on tartness of cranberries and sweetness of oranges. Sauce thickens as it cools; add a splash of juice or water if needed before serving. Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 10 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, orange, holiday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, easy, homemade, gluten-free, vegan, festive, fruit sauce

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/cranberry-orange-sauce-recipe-easy-homemade-holiday-flavor-booster/