Cranberry sauce is easily one of the simplest things on earth to make, and somehow, it seems to be often the one thing that people decide to pick up pre-made for their holiday gatherings. Why is that?

Well, no more: today we’re going to fight back against can-shaped cranberry and learn how to make this delicious homemade cranberry sauce recipe ourselves. Get yourself some real, fresh cranberries, say goodbye to the canned stuff, and let’s get started! Today’s the day you learn how to make classic cranberry sauce with a couple of small adjustments: a little less sugar, and a twist of orange flavor.

A traditional holiday favourite

I grew up in a family that always made everything from scratch, and homemade cranberry sauce was a traditional part of our holiday meals. One year, however, I remember that my mom found a recipe in a magazine for cranberry sauce with orange and apple chunks. We decided to try it that year, and I remember thinking, “I have to make this again!” The tart flavors with orange were incredible, and find myself wanting to relive that experience every year.

It’s because of that experience that I like to make my cranberry sauce extra special by adding the magic of orange or other fruit to it. It’s fun to keep old traditions alive with a little something extra thrown in, am I right? 

How to make this easy orange cranberry sauce recipe:

This delicious homemade cranberry orange sauce is so quick to make. Here’s a breakdown of how to make fresh cranberry sauce, at home, with simple ingredients and very little effort. For detailed amounts and instructions, scroll down to the recipe card, and then go a little further for step-by-step photos!

1 – Prep the fruit

Since this recipe is made with fresh orange juice and zest, you will need to zest and juice the orange ahead of time. This recipe calls for 1 cup orange juice, which you should get from a large orange; however, if you don’t get enough juice from the orange, you can dilute it with a bit of water (or add some pre-made orange juice) to get the correct amount. The orange zest in this sauce gives it extra orange flavor, which is why I add fresh orange zest; but, if you find that too strong, you can also omit that ingredient.

Once the orange has been zested and juiced, rinse of the cranberries, and set them aside. One bag of cranberries is typically 3 cups, which is exactly what you need for this recipe.

2 – Measure the ingredients

When you’re ready to make the sauce, measure the cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, and fresh zest into a medium saucepan. If you like, you can also add a bit of grated fresh ginger, a dash of ground cinnamon, or cinnamon sticks at this point. I recommend one 6-inch cinnamon stick, or two smaller pieces, for this recipe.

3 – Cook the cranberry sauce

Cook the cranberry sauce over medium heat until the berries have burst and broken down slightly. Since this recipe is made with tart cranberries and less sugar, I recommend tasting it at this stage. Is it sweet enough for your taste? If you like sweet cranberry sauce better, add another 1/4 cup of brown sugar or maple syrup to sweeten it slightly, and cook a minute or two longer for the sugars to dissolve and cook down.

4 – Refrigerate until serving

Pour the finished cranberry sauce into a bowl, and let the sauce cool. Refrigerate, covered, until serving. Serve on your holiday table as the perfect cranberry sauce to complement your roasted turkey!

How to serve cranberry sauce

Cranberry sauce is traditionally served with turkey for a classic American or Canadian holiday (usually Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner). This thick jam-like sauce is supposed to be eaten with the meat, but it’s really up to the individual how you eat it. Personally, I just like to eat it by itself as a necessary part of the traditional holiday meal!

Other great ways to use cranberry sauce

Cranberry sauce can be used in place of jam in most cases, and it makes a delicious, tart filling to various jam-filled pastries, cookies, and bars. It also makes a delicious addition to holiday jellos and dessert moulds!

Can I make this recipe without orange?

Absolutely! Just substitute the orange juice for water, omit the zest, and follow the directions as provided. Other great substitutes would be to use apple juice instead of the orange, and lemon zest in place of the orange zest.

Can I substitute honey or maple syrup for the sugar?

Yes! Just bear in mind that the consistency might be a little thinner, and the sauce will have a slightly different flavour to it. You could also use other sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit, but beware: since those options are much sweeter, you may want to start with a *very* small amount, taste it, and then add more to taste as desired.

How long does homemade cranberry sauce last?

Homemade orange cranberry sauce will easily last in an airtight container in the fridge for several weeks. I often save my leftover sauce and use it as jam for weeks following our holiday feast. You’re wanting to make this Thanksgiving staple ahead of time, go for it – this recipe is one that I love to make as one of the first things to get ready and put out of my mind ahead of my holiday dinners.

Can you preserve cranberry sauce?

Yes! This cranberry orange sauce recipe is so simple to can using my basic canning method. You can also make it ahead and freeze it, if you should want to do that; just make sure to re-warm it thoroughly on the stove before serving it, to make sure that the sauce keeps its texture.

You will need:

• Ingredients (see recipe card)
• A small, heave bottomed saucepan
• A zester
  A juicer (if using real orange juice)
• Measuring cups and spoons

Here are a few more ways to use cranberries this holiday season:

• Christmas Cranberry Nut Roll
• Cranberry Apple Butter
• Dairy Free Cranberry Bran Muffins 
• Cranberry Apple Butter Danishes

So pretty, and so delicious! Cranberries have got to be one of my favourite holiday things. They are so easy to use, so pretty, and so yummy.

Happy cooking!

Back soon,

Naomi

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