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.
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!”
Since then, every so often I like to make my cranberry sauce extra special by adding the magic of orange or other fruit to it. Sometimes it’s fun to keep old traditions alive with a little something extra thrown in… and this is one of those opportunities!
How to serve cranberry sauce
Cranberry sauce is traditionally served with turkey for a classic American or Canadian holiday (usually Thanksgiving 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.
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
And that’s it! Super simple, and I’m pretty sure you already have all of that. Here’s the recipe!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange
This recipe is a slight twist on regular cranberry sauce, with reduced sugar and added orange juice and zest.
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries washed (about 340g)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 cup orange juice
Instructions
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In a small, heavy bottomed saucepan, combine all of the ingredients.
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Cook over medium heat until them mixture comes to a boil. Cook, uncovered, until the cranberries have burst and the sauce thickens (about 15-20 minutes). Remove from heat.
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Pour into a heat-proof bowl or container and refrigerate until use. Serve cold.
Recipe Notes
Tip: Don't cover your pot with a lid for this whole process. Cranberries tend to bubble up a lot while they are cooking, and it's a pretty common problem to have the sauce boil over! Prevent this by keeping the lid off until the sauce is done.
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.
Here are a few more ways to use cranberries this holiday season:
- Christmas Cranberry Nut Roll
- Cranberry Apple Butter
- Dairy Free Cranberry Bran MuffinsÂ
- Cranberry Apple Butter Danishes
Happy cooking!
Back soon,
Naomi
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