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–+ servings
tan bowl filled with cranberry sauce topped with orange zest next to orange slices and fresh cranberries

Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Amanda
This easy orange cranberry sauce recipe is made in just 15 minutes! It's flavored with apple cider and orange zest and slightly sweetened with brown sugar. The BEST homemade cranberry sauce for your Thanksgiving holiday meal.
5 from 10 votes
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 113 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces fresh whole cranberries
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon orange zest approximately 1 medium orange
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Combine all of the ingredients into a medium sized pot and stir to combine.
  • Heat the pot on the stovetop over medium high heat until it begins to boil and the cranberries start to pop.
  • Reduce the heat to medium low and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes. The cranberries should be softened and the sauce should be slightly thickened. 
  • Chill the cooked cranberry sauce in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight for best results.

Notes

Recipe yields approximately 2 cups of cranberry sauce.
  • Plan for ¼ - ½ cup of cranberry sauce per person.
  • Make sure to stir the sauce and mash down the cranberries as it's cooking. 
  • Chill overnight for best results. The sauce will thicken as it cools and it will give time for the flavors to combine.
  • Serve the cranberry sauce chilled or at room temperature.

 

Substitutions and Variations

  • Apple Cider - Apple juice or even orange juice can also be used as substitutes.
  • Brown Sugar - White granulated sugar may be used instead.
  • Nutmeg -  Ground cinnamon or allspice can be used instead or in addition.
  • Spicy - Dice up a jalapeno and cook it with the cranberries.
  • Nuts - Sprinkle cooled cranberry sauce with chopped pecans or walnuts.
 

Make Ahead and Storage Suggestions

Cranberry sauce is best when made ahead. Make it up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until serving time.
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months. Frozen cranberry sauce can be thawed in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 2gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
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