Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe (2024)

This homemade Cinnamon Cranberry Orange Sauce is bursting with fresh juicy cranberries and is perfect served with Roast Turkey. You will be surprised how easy this is (with just 4 ingredients) and it’s way better than canned or storebought sauce.

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe (1)

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Orange Cranberry Sauce is iconic for the holiday table along with classic sides like Mashed Potatoes, easy Turkey Gravy, creamy Sweet Potato Casserole, and of course soft Dinner Rolls. This Cranberry Orange Sauce proves that homemade is best.

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe

You’ll love this spin on Classic Cranberry Sauce infused with cinnamon and orange flavors. You can’t beat homemade because it has a real cranberry texture. The cranberries burst and release their juices as they heat, which turns into a jelly-like sauce as it cools. This one is bursting with bites of sweet, tangy cranberries.

This is one of the easiest side dishes you’ll make but Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without it. Make this once and you’ll quickly realize canned cranberry sauce is no match for the real thing.

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe (2)

How Long Does Cranberry Sauce Last?

You can make cranberry-orange sauce ahead and take a little pressure off the biggest cooking day of the year! Homemade orange-cranberry sauce will keep well covered and refrigerated for 10-14 days.

Can I Freeze Cranberry Sauce?

Cranberry Sauce freezes really well. Transfer it to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag, remove excess air and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Ingredients for Orange Cranberry Sauce

The sauce is infused with orange and cinnamon and sweetened with honey. The honey gives this sauce a boost of flavor and makes it healthier than using sugar. This recipe has all-natural, unprocessed ingredients.

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe (3)

Can I use Frozen Cranberries?

Yes! We love keeping a bag of fresh-frozen cranberries in the freezer for when the cranberry sauce craving strikes. Did you know fresh cranberries can be frozen in their original bag or a freezer-safe bag for 10 to 12 months?

You can use fresh or frozen cranberries to make orange cranberry sauce. Frozen will take slightly longer to reach a simmer but the flavor and consistency will be the same in the finished sauce.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Sauce

This recipe is EASY and comes together quickly. It takes just 10 minutes for the sauce to form.

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine honey, water, orange juice, zest, and 1 cinnamon stick. Bring it to a simmer.
  2. Add fresh (or frozen) cranberries then simmer at a low boil 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until cranberries start to burst.
  3. Add more honey to taste then remove from heat and discard cinnamon stick.
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Pro Zesting Tip: Zest the orange before juicing it (it’s much easier!). When zesting, be sure you only remove the orange peel and not the white portion underneath which can make your sauce taste bitter. Don’t go crazy with the zest. Using more than a teaspoon can overwhelm the sauce. If you only have store-bought orange juice, you can omit the zest and it will still work well.

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How to Serve Orange Cranberry Sauce

If you have never tried homemade, you are in for a deliciously easy treat! As the sauce cools, it thickens and becomes spreadable – perfect for the Thanksgiving Turkey, with Pork Tenderloin, chicken, ham, and on Dinner Rolls. That combination of sweet and savory is irresistible. You could even use it as a topping for Cheesecake. The possibilities are endless!

Cranberry Sauce Can be served hot or cold right out of the refrigerator. We usually serve it cold or at room temperature.

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe (6)

More Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Try these top-rated holiday sides to make this your best holiday menu yet! If you’re looking for more Thanksgiving menu ideas, check out all of our Thanksgiving recipes here.

  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes – with bacon and garlic
  • Scalloped Sweet Potatoes – a twist on the classic
  • Mashed Potato Casserole – loaded and so cheesy
  • Green Bean Casserole – completely from scratch
  • Quiche Lorraine – delicious hot or cold

Q: Do YOU have a special cranberry sauce you make every year? I’d love to hear about it. If you haven’t started that tradition, I invite you to try this recipe and hope it becomes a new favorite for you and your loved ones. Have a beautiful and memorable Thanksgiving!

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe

5 from 196 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe (8)

This Orange Cranberry cranberry sauce is infused with orange zest and juice and cinnamon, and sweetened with honey. Store-bought is no match for homemade orange cranberry sauce!

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Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 10 people (makes 2 1/2 cups cranberry sauce)

  • 2/3 cup honey, or add to taste
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed from 1 large orange
  • 1 tsp orange zest, lightly packed, from the same orange*
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 12 oz cranberries, fresh or frozen

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, combine 2/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 tsp orange zest and 1 cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve honey.

  • Add 12 oz cranberries and bring to a boil. Once boiling, adjust heat to keep at a low boil and cook 10 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally. Cranberries will burst and sauce will begin to thicken. A minute or so before turning off the heat, taste for sweetness and add more honey to taste for a sweeter sauce. Keep in mind the sauce will thicken when it cools.

  • Remove from heat, discard cinnamon stick and cool cranberry sauce to room temperature then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

*Zest the orange before juicing it (it’s much easier!). Be sure you only zest the orange peel and not the white portion which can make the sauce bitter. Don’t use more than 1 tsp or it overwhelms the sauce.

Nutrition Per Serving

88kcal Calories23g Carbs1mg Sodium53mg Potassium1g Fiber20g Sugar35IU Vitamin A8mg Vitamin C8mg Calcium0.2mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

88

% Daily Value*

Sodium

1

mg

%

Potassium

53

mg

2

%

Carbohydrates

8

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

20

g

22

%

Vitamin A

35

IU

1

%

Vitamin C

8

mg

10

%

Calcium

8

mg

1

%

Iron

0.2

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Condiments, Sauce

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cinnamon orange cranberry sauce, orange cranberry sauce

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 88

P.S. I am truly thankful for you, my readers, whether you just stumbled upon my blog today or have been following along since 2009 when this blog was born, I truly appreciate you. Because of you, my husband and I can do what we love to wake up to daily. We have especially been blessed to hear how our recipes have blessed your families, nourished your children and impressed your parents! This Thanksgiving, we are thanking God for you.

Natasha Kravchuk

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does orange cranberry sauce last? ›

If you need to store cranberry sauce from a can that's been opened, you really just have one option: the refrigerator. Start by transferring your cranberry sauce from the can to an airtight container, and then you can safely leave it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

What makes cranberry sauce thicken? ›

If your cranberry sauce is too thick, it's most likely overcooked. When you cook cranberries (or any berries), they burst, releasing pectin—a natural thickener. The key to a perfect consistency is to allow some but not all of the cranberries to split open—something you'll achieve with less time on the stove.

What is the difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish? ›

Typically, "cranberry sauce" refers to a cooked product while "cranberry relish" is uncooked (the cranberries instead are broken down in a food processor or other manner)—however, some recipes use these phrases interchangeably.

Does orange juice and cranberry juice taste good together? ›

Cranberries and orange juice combine with agave to create a festive drink that's a beautiful holiday red, has all the sweet and tangy flavors of the season, and just makes the holiday feel so much more merry and bright. It's a great drink to serve to family and friends around the fire on a cold Christmas day.

Can you freeze cranberry orange sauce? ›

Yes, when stored properly, you can freeze leftover homemade cranberry sauce. Before freezing, keep three important principles in mind: cool it, wrap it and label it (the same rules apply when freezing homemade meals). First, it's important that any cooked food has cooled down before it goes into the freezer.

How do you know if cranberry sauce has gone bad? ›

Most varieties should last a full year if the can remains dent-free, but keep an eye on that "best before" date to be safe. If you open the can and the sauce appears discolored, or the smell or taste seems off, go ahead and toss it.

Why does my homemade cranberry sauce taste bitter? ›

Dear Evelyn: I had the same problem when I first started making my own cranberry sauce. I found out that you should cook them just until they pop. Further cooking will make them bitter, and once that happens, you need to start again.

Why is cranberry sauce so expensive? ›

Costs are up

That includes cranberry sauce, whose price is up about 18% compared to last year because cranberry crops are smaller this year, sparking a supply squeeze.

How do you take the bitterness out of homemade cranberry sauce? ›

"Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness)."

What is the difference between cranberry sauce and jellied cranberry sauce? ›

Cranberry sauce can be served either as a gooey liquid or as a solid jelly. The jellied version is solid enough to retain the shape of the container in which it's placed whereas the sauce version is much more fluid.

How do you spruce up cranberry sauce? ›

Spike cranberry sauce with citrus

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

Should cranberry sauce be served cold or room temperature? ›

Should cranberry sauce be served warm or cold? You could, of course, serve it straight out of the pot, but I think it's best after it's chilled in the fridge. Chilling it helps it firm up some more in the fridge, plus, serving it this way means you can make it days ahead of a holiday.

What not to mix with cranberry? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Warfarin (Coumadin): Cranberry may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take medications to thin the blood such as warfarin. ...
  • Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. ...
  • Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

Does cranberry juice make your 🐱 taste better? ›

While one study list diets as one of several factors that influence the vagin*'s microbiome, no scientific evidence supports the claim that cranberry juice can improve vagin*l taste ( 1 ). Thus, drinking cranberry juice is unlikely to boost your sex life.

What is a vodka and cranberry juice drink called? ›

The Cape Cod or Cape Codder is a type of co*cktail consisting of vodka and cranberry juice. Some recipes also call for squeezing a lime wedge over the glass and dropping it into the drink.

How long does orange sauce last in the fridge? ›

Store-bought orange sauce, unopened, can last in your pantry for up to 12 months if stored at constant room temperature, but once opened needs to be refrigerated and typically lasts for 1-2 weeks after the printed date on the package. However, if you freeze it, the sauce can extend its life for up to 6 months.

How long does cranberry sauce last in refrigerator? ›

We do suggest making sauce ahead of time and storing it in an air-tight container in your refrigerator. It will keep for up to one week.

How long is canned cranberry sauce good for once opened? ›

Once open, it can be stored in a container with a tightly fitting lid for up to two weeks. Just make sure to remove it from the can before storing, and don't freeze it as it could become watery upon thawing.

How long does Ocean Spray cranberry sauce last in the fridge? ›

Prior to opening, cranberry sauce can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator if you prefer it chilled. After opening, remove from the can and store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

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