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–+ servings
close up of cranberry sauce on marble plate with orange slices and two star anise pods

Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce

Sweet, simple, and SO. GOOD. Skip the canned because this Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce is everything you need this holiday season!
Course: Sides
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 14 servings
Calories: 53kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh cranberries
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • ½ teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

  • Combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and zest in a heavy saucepan.
  • Cook and stir over medium low heat until cranberries pop and sauce starts to thicken, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Let cool and serve.

Notes

  • Cranberry sauce thickens as it cools, so keep this in mind when cooking! The times stated in the recipe card is for our preferences, but definitely cook to your liking. Stop cooking when the sauce is slightly thinner than you want it to be because it will thicken to the consistency you like.  Just be careful not to burn it!
  • Taste the sauce! Everyone has their preferences. We like ours a touch tart and lots of orange to give the cranberries a bit more punch and freshness, but if you like it sweeter, feel free to adjust!
  • This sauce can easily be made in advance and freezes well.
  • Make sure to save your leftovers! It works as a wonderful addition to breakfast or sweet desserts.
  • Overcooked the jam? No problem! You can add a few Tablespoons of orange juice or water to loosen it.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg