free counter with statistics Print

The Best Easy Homemade Cranberry-Orange Sauce

A bowl of homemade Cranberry-Orange Sauce being served as part of a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner.

A simple, from-scratch recipe for a classic cranberry-orange sauce. This condiment is made by simmering fresh or frozen cranberries in a saucepan with the zest and juice of an orange, sugar, and a whole cinnamon stick. The mixture is cooked until the cranberries burst and the sauce naturally thickens. It can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, making it a perfect make-ahead side dish for holiday meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Two 8-ounce packages cranberries, fresh or frozen (16 ounces total)
  • 1 orange, zest cut into strips and juiced
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

  1. Combine the cranberries, orange zest strips, orange juice, sugar, and the cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  3. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 to 20 minutes.
  4. The sauce is done when most of the cranberries have burst and the liquid has thickened.
  5. Remove the sauce from the heat.
  6. Before serving, remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Serve the sauce at room temperature or chilled.

Notes

  • This is a very simple, one-pot recipe with minimal ingredients.
  • The natural pectin in the cranberries will cause the sauce to thicken significantly as it cools.
  • This sauce can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition