Orange Cranberry Sauce

Echo Blickenstaff

5 from 28 votes
38 Comments

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This Orange Cranberry Sauce is a must-have for your Thanksgiving table. Made with fresh cranberries and a hint of orange, this vibrant, zesty sauce pairs well with turkey, rolls, sandwiches, and more.

Fresh orange cranberry in a dish served with rolls on the side.
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What Makes This Orange Cranberry Sauce Special

Every Thanksgiving dinner has that one dish you can’t do without. This fresh Orange Cranberry Sauce might must become that dish for you. For me, it’s a miracle the cranberry sauce makes it to the table. I can hardly resist eating it right out of the pan – it tastes and smells so good!

  • The bright, tangy flavor pairs perfectly with turkey, rolls, and especially on leftover turkey sandwiches.
  • The orange juice and zest gives the cranberries a delicious hint of citrus and calms the tartness of the cranberries.
  • It can be served warm or cold. If serving cold, you can prepare it ahead. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Ingredients in Orange Cranberry Sauce

  • Fresh cranberries
  • Orange juice
  • Sugar
  • Orange zest
Ingredients to make homemade orange, cranberry sauce, including fresh cranberries, orange zest, orange juice and sugar. Rosemary on the side for garnish.


cranberries coated with simple syrup on a baking sheet

Can I freeze fresh cranberries?

YES! I watch for fresh cranberries to go on sale and freeze them right in the bag. You can freeze cranberries for up to a year, and they retain their taste and texture just as well when thawed and used in cranberry sauce.

Have the kids help!

If you’re looking for a recipe that the kids can help prep on Thanksgiving morning, this Orange Cranberry Sauce is a great one to try. When the cranberries heat up in the pan they make a hissing noise just before they pop. It’s kind of exciting to watch. The anticipation is addicting. When all of the cranberries “pop” or burst and the sauce starts to thicken.

Cranberries heated and popping in a saucepan to make homemade orange cranberry sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to make cranberry sauce?

Cranberry sauce is best when made with fresh cranberries. Add liquid and sugar to the cranberries and bring it to a boil. The cranberries will soften and “pop.” As the cranberries cook down, they thicken into a jam-like sauce.

Can I make cranberry sauce ahead of time?

Fresh cranberry sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

How long does it take to make homemade cranberry sauce?

Cranberry sauce can be made at home in 15-20 minutes.

Orange cranberry sauce in a bowl on a board with fresh cranberries, and orange slices on the side.

Read more: Thanksgiving Sides Ideas

More Cranberry Recipes to Try

Love cranberries? Here are some more of our favorite cranberry recipes:

Don’t forget the turkey!

While this Orange Cranberry Sauce is a star, the turkey is the main event. Check out our step-by-step turkey guide with photos and video to ensure your bird is juicy and perfectly cooked. Pair it with this sauce for a meal that will impress your guests and have them asking for seconds.

How to Make Orange Cranberry Sauce

Large glass bowl of orange cranberry sauce with a spoon.

Orange Cranberry Sauce

5 from 28 votes
This Orange Cranberry Sauce tastes SO much better than anything you can buy in a can. It's really easy to make your own and it has so much more flavor!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Video

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries about 3 cups
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
    Ingredients for Low Sugar Cranberry Sauce are sitting inside a sauce pan including chopped apples, chopped oranges, cranberries, raspberries, truvia, lemon juice, and maple syrup.
  • Bring to a boil at medium heat, stirring occasionally. You will see the cranberries soften and hear them begin to pop. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
    Cranberries cooking in a sauce pan with a wooden spoon.
  • Serve warm or cold. It's delicious both ways.
    Orange cranberry sauce on a roll.

Notes

If serving chilled, pour sauce into a dish or jar and cool at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 87kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 14.4mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.1mg

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Spanish Fork, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising. She has four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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5 from 28 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love the cranberry orange jelly recipe my ex made for Thanksgiving. He used a whole orange in the culinary along with the cranberry. Since I love the flavor your recipe sounds like what I would enjoy plus cooking the sauce is so different. Thank you.

    Reply

  2. 5 stars
    I’m disabled but I am going to make this! It sounds good and sounds quick and easy to make. I think cranberry sauce is good anytime of the year! Thank you for the recipe and have a wonderful holiday season.

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    This sounds very easy and delicious
    I love crsnberry-orange flavor. Definitely an great dish for Thanksgiving.

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    This is an excellent cranberry sauce recipe. No need to do the gelatin stuff out of the can. This is so simple and takes 15 minutes, literally, to make. We spread it over smoked turkey. It was sooo delicious. Great combination of tart and sweet. Try it. I cannot believe you will not love it after trying it.

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    This is a must-have every year! I made it for the first time 4 years ago, and ever since then it has been on the “what you are bringing ” list to Thanksgiving. Not sure why haven’t raved about it before.

    Reply

    1. Thank you! I just made it last night, and I could eat it by the spoonful. I’m so happy you like it too!

      Reply