Description
A vibrant and tangy cranberry sauce made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and a touch of cinnamon. This easy recipe is perfect for holiday dinners and adds a fresh, zesty flavor to your meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from 2 oranges)
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (add ¼ cup more if you prefer it sweeter)
- â…› tsp kosher salt
Main Ingredient
- 12 oz. cranberries (fresh or frozen, no need to thaw if frozen)
Optional Ingredients
- 2 strips orange zest
- 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Heat the liquids and sugar: In a medium saucepan, bring the water, orange juice, and sugar to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Add cranberries and flavorings: Stir in the cranberries, orange zest, cinnamon stick, if using, and salt. Return the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook and thicken: Cook the mixture, stirring and gently mashing the berries occasionally to release their juices, until the sauce has thickened. This usually takes about 10 minutes. Keep in mind, the sauce will thicken further as it cools.
- Strain and chill: Remove and discard the cinnamon stick and orange zest strips. Transfer the cranberry sauce to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a lid, and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar according to your taste preference.
- Using fresh orange juice adds a bright citrus flavor, but bottled orange juice can be used in a pinch.
- Orange zest and cinnamon stick provide aromatic warmth but can be omitted for a simpler sauce.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature with turkey, chicken, or as a topping for desserts.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
