Cranberry Orange Sauce

This delicious Cranberry Orange Sauce recipe is a classic that is perfect for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. It is super easy to make with a few simple ingredients and can be made ahead of time!

Homemade cranberry sauce tastes SO much better than the canned stuff in my opinion. Great news – it is also one of the easiest holiday recipes to make! Simply toss a few ingredients in a pot and let them simmer for 15 minutes….that’s it! The best part is that you can also make cranberry sauce ahead of time which means one less thing to do on the day of a holiday dinner (they can be hectic enough!).

My version of cranberry sauce is elevated with the flavours of orange and cinnamon which add a festive touch. Serve this Cranberry Orange Sauce alongside your holiday turkey dinner or check out some of the other ideas below – no need for any of it to go to waste!

Cranberry Orange Sauce Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this Cranberry Orange Sauce recipe:

• Fresh Cranberries: Easily found at every grocery store around Thanksgiving/Christmas. You will need a 340g/12 oz bag.
• Orange: The juice and zest of one orange.
• Organic Cane Sugar: Some organic cane sugar is used to cut the tartness of the cranberries.
• Cinnamon Stick: This warming spice brings it all together.

Orange Zesting Tip

It is much easier to zest the orange before you juice it. I like to use a fine Microplane Grater when zesting. Make sure that you only grate off the orange part of the peel. Avoid grating the white part since it is bitter and will make your sauce bitter.

How To Make Cranberry Orange Sauce

It is super easy to make this Cranberry Orange Sauce. Simply…

1. Toss Ingredients Into Pot: Place all the ingredients in a medium-sized pot.
2. Simmer: Simmer while stirring occasionally until cranberries have burst and sauce has thickened.
3. Serve: Allow to cool, remove cinnamon stick and refrigerate until serving time. Perfect make ahead recipe!

Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.

Cranberry Sauce Questions

Can Cranberry Sauce Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely and highly recommended! This sauce can easily be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. One less thing to worry about on the day of your holiday meal!

Can Cranberry Sauce Be Frozen?

Yes – cranberry sauce freezes beautifully! Freeze cranberry sauce for 2-3 months in small mason jars or containers and defrost in the fridge overnight.

Is Cranberry Sauce Served Warm Or Cold?

This is a matter of personal preference. Cranberry sauce can be served warm, at room temperature or chilled.

What Do You Eat Cranberry Sauce With?

Serve this delicious Cranberry Orange Sauce with:

• Turkey: This is the obvious choice! Try my Dry Brine Spatchcock Turkey With Herb Butter recipe. I make this cranberry sauce to eat with our turkey dinner and then enjoy the leftover sauce in a number of other ways.
• Ham: Also tastes delicious with a holiday ham!
• Turkey Sandwiches: Amazing on turkey sandwiches!
• Oatmeal: Makes a great topping on oatmeal like my favourite steel cut oats recipe.
• Yogurt: Use it to make a parfait or just to top a bowl of greek yogurt.
• Pancakes, French Toast or Waffles: Add a festive touch to some of your breakfast favourites.

Possible Variations

This Cranberry Orange Sauce recipe can be customized in a number of ways. Feel free to make it your own!

• Add Other Spices: Ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, etc.
• Add Extra Fruit: Add a second fruit to the mix like some berries, pomegranate, diced apples or pears.
• Switch Up The Sweetener: Feel free to use honey or maple syrup instead.
• Make It “Adult”: Add a splash of brandy, Grand Marnier, bourbon, etc.

Looking for more holiday sauces? Check out these 15 Sauces To Elevate Your Holiday Meals.

Let me know in the comments if this Cranberry Orange Sauce makes it onto your holiday table!

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