Description
Bright, bold, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor, this Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce is the ultimate holiday side dish. Made with juicy oranges and tart cranberries, it delivers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy in every spoonful. Whether you’re planning a Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas feast, or looking for easy dinner ideas to elevate roasted meats, this easy recipe comes together in minutes and tastes far better than anything from a can. It’s a simple homemade sauce that works beautifully for holiday meals, quick dinner upgrades, and festive food ideas all season long.
Ingredients
12 ounces fresh cranberries
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/2 cup water
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and water. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Once the cranberries begin to burst, reduce the heat to medium-low.
4. Stir in the orange zest and add the cinnamon stick if using.
5. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
6. Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick.
7. Allow the sauce to cool completely. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
8. Serve chilled, at room temperature, or slightly warm.
Notes
Avoid overcooking the sauce. Cranberries thicken naturally as they cool, so remove the saucepan from heat once it reaches a slightly loose consistency to prevent it from becoming too thick or sticky.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: homemade cranberry sauce, cranberry orange sauce, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving recipe, easy dinner ideas, festive food ideas