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.
