This Cranberry Orange 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
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 Cranberry Orange Sauce, it may become that one thing for your family. This fresh cranberry sauce with a hint of orange is delicious on turkey and rolls. It tastes so good and smells so good that I have to discipline myself to not eat it right out of the pan. It has a zesty, tangy flavor. I love it served warm, but cranberry sauce is traditionally served chilled. This recipe 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 Cranberry Orange 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 split open the sauce starts to thicken.
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.
Give the gift of homemade cranberry sauce
With only a few ingredients, this sauce is inexpensive to make. Cranberry sauce 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 recipes
If you are looking for another tasty cranberry sauce recipe to make at home, click here for 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.
Don’t forget the turkey
As amazing as our Cranberry Orange 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 Cranberry Orange Sauce, you just might decide to make it more than once a year at Thanksgiving.
How to make Cranberry Orange Sauce
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 sauce pan.
- Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. You will see the cranberries soften and hear them begin to pop. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve warm with turkey and rolls.
Steffani says
We made this yesterday for Thanksgiving and it was delicious!!! I made the raspberry cranberry sauce last year, which is also fantastic but I like not dealing with The Raspberry seeds. I did add an extra cup of sugar bc I like it more sweet.
Carolyn says
My mom also added some chopped walnuts…that’s how I like it!
Echo says
Oooh – yum! What a great idea!
Lisa says
Can this be reheated?
Echo says
Absolutely! It is good cold or warm. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Courtnet says
Do you mean orange juice bought or fresh squeezed oranges?
Echo says
Store bought or fresh squeezed will both work fine in the recipe. Use what is most convenient for you. Thanks for asking!
Marisa says
This is so good! I made it for Thanksgiving and for a Christmas work thing, and it was recieved with great fanfare! Great recipe!
Echo says
I’m so glad you like the recipe, Marisa! It is my absolute favorite cranberry sauce. I make it every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love it on turkey and rolls.
Tracy says
I absolutely love this recipe. it is so very easy and delicious. I like to make it 2-3 days ahead of time. I think it tastes better the longer you let the flavors meld. Thank you for sharing.
Melissa says
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I’m always worried about trying new recipes on Thanksgiving! I’m so glad you can make ahead! I read one of the reviews where she said its better when left in the fridge for a couple days! Perfect!
Patricia says
My recipe is similar; just adds one cinnamon stick which is discarded after cooling…yummy
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yum, I’ll have to try that!
Matthew says
Great recipe. Made it for thanksgiving. Unfortunatly only two of the 5 people there likes cranberries. I was left with half left over which I did end up using most of. My question is how long will this sauce hold for in the fridge? Thank you
Favorite Family Recipes says
It should stay good for a couple weeks. You can also freeze it if you needed to!
Debbie says
An online friend said she adds two Gala apples to this, as well as cinnamon and nutmeg.
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yum! That sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Shawna McKim says
I want to make this sauce for Thanksgiving this year, and I am also making another recipe that calls for cranberry sauce to be used in it. I want to use this homemade sauce rather than store bought. I know the recipe says this makes 12 servings, but how large is a serving for this recipe? What would you say the total amount made is? 2 cups? 3 cups? Thanks so much!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Its about 4 cups. I hope you like the recipe! It is one of my all-time favorites!
Sylvia says
I made it last Thanksgiving and cant wait to put it on my table again. All of the kids including my picky nephew were devouring it . They did not touch the can ones . Cant wait ! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yay! We are glad you like it as much as we do! Thanks for the 5-star rating and Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Jessica Formicola says
You just can’t beat homemade cranberry sauce! I can’t wait to try this for Thanksgiving!
Kelli says
You’re so right in that this homemade sauce is better than anything you can get at the store! Love the use of orange juice and actually cut back on the sugar a bit just due to how sweet my juice was.
Chris Collins says
This is a staple in my house around this time of year! Love the addition of orange, it looks delicious!
Patty at Spoonabilities says
I love making homemade cranberry sauce. I am definitely trying your recipe! The orange flavor is perfection!
Noelle Simpson says
I know what I am making for thanksgiving! I love the orange twist on it! Thanks for sharing