Introduction
Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest is a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet condiment that transforms any holiday meal. The tart cranberries are perfectly balanced by sugar and elevated with the citrusy freshness of orange zest and juice. This sauce is not just a side—it’s the perfect finishing touch that ties together a Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas roast, or even a simple weeknight chicken dinner.
The addition of orange zest makes it special: it adds an aromatic citrus note that cuts through the tartness, making the sauce vibrant, refreshing, and more complex in flavor than classic cranberry sauce.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Festive Flavor: The cranberries are tart, the sugar balances them, and the orange zest adds a refreshing brightness.
- Quick and Easy: Just a handful of ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking.
- Homemade Goodness: So much fresher and tastier than store-bought versions.
- Versatile: Works beautifully with savory roasts, sandwiches, cheese platters, and even desserts.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared in advance and stored for days or frozen for months.
Why It’s a Must-Try Dish
This sauce is a must-try because it proves how simple ingredients can elevate a meal. The tangy cranberries and zesty orange create a perfect balance that enhances everything it’s paired with. Once you make this at home, you’ll never go back to canned cranberry sauce—the freshness, texture, and flavor are unmatched.
Recipe Details
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 8 (about 2 cups of sauce)
- Calories (per serving, ~2 tbsp): ~60 kcal
Cuisine & Course
- Cuisine: American (Traditional Holiday)
- Course: Condiment / Side Dish
Ingredients
- 12 oz (about 3 cups) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 1 tsp orange zest (freshly grated)
- ½ cup water
- Pinch of salt (optional, to balance flavors)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional, for warmth)
Simple Cooking Directions
- Combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and zest in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.
- Stir, cool, and serve.
Step-by-Step Preparation
- Combine Ingredients
- In a medium saucepan, add cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and a pinch of salt.
- Cook
- Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most cranberries burst.
- Add Flavor
- Stir in freshly grated orange zest and cinnamon (if using).
- Cook for another 1–2 minutes.
- Cool
- Remove from heat and let sauce cool to room temperature.
- The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Serve or Store
- Transfer to a serving bowl or airtight container.
How to Serve
- Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside turkey, chicken, ham, or roast beef.
- Spread on sandwiches with leftover turkey or roasted veggies.
- Use as a topping for cheesecakes, yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes.
- Add to cheese boards as a tangy-sweet dip.
Additional Tips
- Use fresh cranberries if available, but frozen ones work just as well.
- Adjust sugar to taste—add more if you prefer sweeter sauce.
- Don’t overcook; sauce should be slightly chunky with whole cranberries for texture.
- Prepare a day ahead to let flavors meld.
Variations
- Spiced Cranberry Sauce: Add cloves, star anise, or nutmeg for a festive touch.
- Apple-Cranberry Sauce: Stir in diced apples while cooking for extra sweetness.
- Port Wine Cranberry Sauce: Replace some water with red wine or port for depth.
- Ginger-Cranberry Sauce: Add fresh grated ginger for a zingy kick.
Freezing & Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Make-Ahead: Can be made several days before your holiday meal.
Special Equipment Needed
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Microplane or fine grater (for orange zest)
- Airtight container for storage
Conclusion
Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest is a quick, easy, and flavorful side dish that brings a pop of color and brightness to any meal. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a simple weeknight dinner, this sauce adds the perfect sweet-tart balance that complements savory dishes. With just a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes, you can create a homemade sauce that’s far superior to anything canned. Once you try this, it’s sure to become a holiday tradition in your kitchen.
Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest
Description
Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest is a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet condiment that transforms any holiday meal. The tart cranberries are perfectly balanced by sugar and elevated with the citrusy freshness of orange zest and juice.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Combine Ingredients : In a medium saucepan, add cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and a pinch of salt.
-
Cook : Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most cranberries burst.
-
Add Flavor : Stir in freshly grated orange zest and cinnamon (if using). Cook for another 1–2 minutes.
-
Cool : Remove from heat and let sauce cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
-
Serve or Store : Transfer to a serving bowl or airtight container.
