Orange Cranberry Sauce

5 from 24 votes
34 Comments

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This Orange Cranberry Sauce tastes so much better than anything you can buy in a can. It is easier than you think to make homemade cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries.

Cranberry orange sauce in a dish with fresh cranberries sprinkled on the side
Featured with this recipe
  1. Have the kids help!
  2. Can you freeze cranberries?
  3. Ingredients in Orange Cranberry Sauce
  4. Give the gift of homemade cranberry sauce
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Cranberry recipes
  7. Don’t forget the turkey
  8. How to Make Orange Cranberry Sauce
  9. Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe

When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner — or any great turkey dinner — there is always that one part of the meal that you just can’t live without. Once you try this Orange Cranberry Sauce, it may become that one thing for your family, one of those perfect thanksgiving side dishes that everyone loves. This fresh cranberry sauce with a hint of orange is delicious on turkey and rolls, and even better on leftover turkey sandwiches! It tastes so good and smells so good that I have to stop myself from eating it right out of the pan. It has a zesty, tangy flavor from the orange peel. The fresh oranges in this give it a zing that makes this very traditional piece of thanksgiving refreshed and fun. I love it served warm, but cranberry sauce is traditionally served chilled. This recipe is one that can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for at least a week before a holiday dinner.

Have the kids help!

If you’re looking for a recipe that the kids can help prep, this Orange Cranberry Sauce is a great one to try. When the cranberries heat up in the pan they make a hissing noise just before they pop. It’s kind of exciting to watch. The anticipation is addicting. When all of the cranberries “pop” or burst and the sauce starts to thicken.

Fresh cranberries cooking in a saucepan to make cranberry orange sauce


Can you freeze cranberries?

YES! I watch for fresh cranberries to go on sale, buy a bunch, and freeze them right away. Cranberries can be frozen in the bag they come in. Cranberries can be frozen for up to a year. I have used frozen cranberries from a previous year many times. The taste and texture is every bit as good when I want to make cranberry sauce.

A bowl of homemade cranberry orange sauce on a gingham napkin

Ingredients in Orange Cranberry Sauce

  • Fresh cranberries
  • Orange juice
  • Sugar
  • Orange zest

Give the gift of homemade cranberry sauce

With only a few ingredients, this sauce is inexpensive to make. This cranberry orange sauce recipe is a great gift for neighbors and friends during the holidays. Pour the sauce into decorative jars, keep chilled, and add a bow. You will be the favorite neighbor on the block!

Cranberry sauce in a bowl and on a homemade roll

Frequently Asked Questions

What to pair with cranberry sauce?

The classic meats like turkey, chicken, ham, and pork, make a turkey sandwich, mix it up with different cheeses and crackers, both hard and soft cheese, spoon over yogurt, dollop on top of warm pancakes, bake into a casserole, the limit is only your imagination.

How long will Cranberry Orange Sauce last in the refrigerator?

When stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, leftover cranberry sauce can last 10 days.

Can you freeze orange cranberry sauce?

Yes, and it will last and stay fresh tasting in the freezer in an airtight bag for up to a month.

Read more:Thanksgiving Sides Ideas

Cranberry recipes

If you are looking for another tasty, easy cranberry sauce recipe to make at home, try our Raspberry Cranberry Sauce recipe. If you have leftovers, this sauce can also be used as the base for our Cranberry Vinaigrette Dressing. Some other cranberry recipes that we always are making over the Holidays are our Cranberry Almond Bread with Cream Cheese Swirl for breakfast, our Cranberry Salsa for a yummy appetizer, and our Cranberry Chicken  and Cranberry-Sausage Stuffing are perfect for Holiday dinners.

Can’t get enough of cranberries? We also think think that they are berry delicious! Try some of these cran-tastic recipes:

Don’t forget the turkey

As amazing as our Orange Cranberry Sauce tastes, don’t forget about the main event of the meal: The turkey! If you are looking for the best way to cook a turkey, you’ve come to the right place. We have step by step instructions with photos, as well as a video. Don’t be intimidated by cooking a turkey. We’ve got you covered! You’ll be so pleased with the turkey and the Orange Cranberry Sauce, you just might decide to make it more than once a year at Thanksgiving.

How to Make Orange Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry orange sauce in a dish with fresh cranberries sprinkled on the side

Orange Cranberry Sauce

5 from 24 votes
This Orange Cranberry Sauce tastes SO much better than anything you can buy in a can. It's really easy to make your own and it has so much more flavor!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Video

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries about 3 cups
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
    Cranberries, orange juice, sugar, and orange zest in a saucepan
  • Bring to a boil at medium heat, stirring occasionally. You will see the cranberries soften and hear them begin to pop. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
    Fresh cranberries cooking in a saucepan to make cranberry orange sauce
  • Serve warm with turkey and rolls.
    Cranberry orange sauce in a dish with fresh cranberries sprinkled on the side

Notes

If serving chilled, pour sauce into a dish or jar and cool at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 87kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 14.4mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.1mg

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising, and her four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is an excellent cranberry sauce recipe. No need to do the gelatin stuff out of the can. This is so simple and takes 15 minutes, literally, to make. We spread it over smoked turkey. It was sooo delicious. Great combination of tart and sweet. Try it. I cannot believe you will not love it after trying it.

  2. 5 stars
    This is a must-have every year! I made it for the first time 4 years ago, and ever since then it has been on the “what you are bringing ” list to Thanksgiving. Not sure why haven’t raved about it before.

    1. Thank you! I just made it last night, and I could eat it by the spoonful. I’m so happy you like it too!

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