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Holiday Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Holiday Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 9 reviews
  • Author: Ethan
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: About 2 cups (serves 8) 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Holiday Orange Cranberry Sauce is a vibrant and tangy accompaniment perfect for holiday meals. Made with fresh or frozen cranberries, real orange juice, zest, and warm spices like cinnamon and ginger, it offers a balanced sweet-tart flavor with a beautiful citrus twist. It’s easy to prepare and can be made ahead to enhance its flavors, making your festive table even more delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 (12 ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar

Optional Flavor Enhancers

  • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract (optional for deeper orange flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger or ginger paste (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and water. Stir these ingredients together and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Then add the orange zest, cinnamon sticks, and optional orange extract if using.
  2. Simmer and Cook: Reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have burst and the sauce begins to thicken.
  3. Cool and Finish: Remove the saucepan from the heat and discard the cinnamon sticks. Let the sauce cool completely at room temperature, which will help it thicken more. Once cooled, it’s ready to serve or refrigerate for later use.

Notes

  • Use fresh or frozen cranberries interchangeably; just thaw frozen ones before cooking if desired.
  • The sauce thickens as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a bit runny when hot.
  • Adjust sugar levels depending on your preference for sweetness or tartness.
  • Ginger adds a subtle spicy warmth but can be omitted for a milder sauce.
  • Make the sauce a day ahead to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Condiment/Sauce
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 50
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 1mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 13g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, orange cranberry, festive condiment, Thanksgiving, Christmas side dish

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Find it online: https://theethankitchen.com/holiday-orange-cranberry-sauce-recipe/