Is it Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce? We have all had the canned Ocean Spray sauce with those pretty ridges that are sliced and styled on a decorative angle to channel our inner Martha Stewart. But making homemade cranberry sauce takes less than 15 minutes, can be made days in advance, and tastes so much better than any store-bought sauce. Serve it alongside old-fashioned Thanksgiving dressing, Southern green bean casserole, and dry-brined spatchcocked turkey for the perfect holiday spread. For a spicier twist, try our jalapeno cranberry sauce. So, say no to buying any more cans of the jellied cranberry sauce. And honestly, is that stuff even really sauce?
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Orange cranberry sauce requires just five ingredients to make and no special gadgets or equipment.
The complete ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.
- Cranberries: For this recipe, we used frozen cranberries, but you can use fresh ones, too. Dehydrated or dried cranberries won’t work, plus they are more expensive.
- Orange Juice and Zest: To add brightness and balance some cranberry tartness, we add freshly squeezed orange juice and a little orange zest. Using a carton of orange juice is tempting, but don’t since they are not all 100% pure orange juice.
- Sugar: Cranberries are extremely tart, so in addition to adding some sweetness to the cranberry sauce, the sugar helps to balance it out.
- Salt: Adding salt to cranberry sauce seems odd, but it enhances the sweet-tart flavor, so don’t leave it out.
How to Make Orange Cranberry Sauce
Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
Pro-tip: Zest the oranges before you juice them.
1. Bring to a Boil: In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine sugar, water, orange juice, and salt and bring to a boil.
2. Add the Cranberries: Add the cranberries and orange zest and leave it on a high setting. Once the pot has returned to a boil, reduce to medium heat and allow it to boil gently for 10 to 12 minutes until most of the cranberries have burst open.
3. Allow to Cool: Transfer the orange cranberry sauce to a serving bowl, cover, and chill to allow the sauce to thicken.
What to Serve with Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is a versatile condiment that can complement a variety of dishes. Its sweet-tart flavor can add a delightful contrast to a wide range of dishes, so feel free to get creative with your pairings. These are a few of our favorite dishes to serve with cranberry sauce.
- Turkey or Chicken: Cranberry sauce is a classic accompaniment to roasted or grilled turkey, chicken, or Cornish game hens, making it a staple for Thanksgiving and holiday meals.
- Meatballs: Use cranberry sauce as a glaze for meatballs, creating a sweet and savory combination.
- Sandwiches: Spread cranberry sauce on sandwiches or burgers. We love it in our version of the Friend’s Moist Maker sandwich or as a tangy topping our cranberry brie turkey burgers.
- Charcuterie Boards: Cranberry sauce can be an excellent addition to a Thanksgiving charcuterie board or cheese platter, pairing beautifully with cheeses like Brie or goat cheese.
- Grilled Cheese: Incorporate cranberry sauce into a grilled cheese sandwich for a sweet and savory treat.
- Desserts: Use cranberry sauce as a topping for desserts such as cheesecake, ice cream, or yogurt.
- Breakfast: Drizzle cranberry sauce over pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal for a delightful morning meal.
- Appetizers: Incorporate cranberry sauce into appetizers like meatballs, sliders, or cranberry brie bites.
- Sides: Serve cranberry sauce as a side with dishes like turkey pot pie, quiche, or frittatas.
- Crostini: Create cranberry and Brie crostini by spreading cranberry sauce over toasted baguette slices and topping them with Brie cheese.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Make the cranberry sauce in advance. While it only takes 15 minutes to make and it’s tempting to wait, don’t. Cranberries contain pectin, meaning the sauce takes time to thicken as it cools, so make it a few hours before serving or even a couple of days before.
- The cranberry sauce is too thick. If the cranberry sauce has gotten too thick, add a couple of orange juice or water splashes until it reaches the desired consistency.
- The cranberry sauce is too thin. If the cranberry sauce is thin, it probably hasn’t cooked long enough, and the pectin hasn’t had enough time to thicken the sauce.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: Cranberry sauce is best when made ahead and allowed to cool. Making cranberry sauce ahead of time also allows the flavors to meld and develop, enhancing its taste. This convenient method helps you save time when preparing for holiday meals or gatherings.
How to Store: Allow the cranberry sauce to cool completely, then store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days. To freeze cranberry sauce, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let the cranberry sauce thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can customize cranberry sauce with other fruits or peppers like apples and jalapenos or spices like cinnamon or cloves for added flavor.
If your cranberry sauce is too tart, you can add more sugar. To counter sweetness, add a splash of orange juice or orange zest.
More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this holiday recipe, we recommend checking out some of these other Thanksgiving recipes:
- Southern Cornbread Dressing – Made with cornbread, celery, onions, and sage, it’s a Thanksgiving favorite but also delicious with chicken or pork. This cornbread casserole is the classic comfort food side.
- Rosemary Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Made from a cream infused with fresh rosemary and garlic. Simple enough for weeknight dinners, yet elegant enough to impress at holiday gatherings.
- Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole – This easy make-ahead casserole recipe is a twist on a classic Thanksgiving side. Made with sweet potatoes, brown sugar, a couple of splashes of bourbon, and topped with candied pecans.
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Orange Cranberry Sauce
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Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh orange juice, from two medium oranges
- ½ cup water
- ¾ cup sugar
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine sugar, water, orange juice, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Add the cranberries and orange zest and return to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium and boil gently for 10 to 12 minutes until most of the cranberries have burst open.
- Transfer sauce to a serving bowl. Cover and chill until ready to serve.