Homemade cranberry orange sauce is a Thanksgiving favorite for many, including for my husband Dave. This cranberry sauce recipe is easy, fresh, tart, and darn delicious.
This cranberry orange sauce recipe delivers fresh, tart, and incredibly flavorful homemade cranberry sauce that’s ready in just 20 minutes! What makes this version special is the bright citrus notes from fresh orange juice and zest, plus a deeper spice profile with cinnamon and vanilla that creates layers of flavor you simply can’t get from the canned stuff.
Did you know that Wisconsin is the leading producer of cranberries worldwide?! Living here in Wisconsin, we have access to amazing local cranberries during harvest season (and can generally find them in our store’s freezer sections year-round too). This recipe is truly a celebration of those beautiful, tart berries and all the delicious possibilities they offer.
My husband Dave absolutely loves cranberry sauce (it’s honestly one of his favorite foods!), and this recipe is based on one his mom made when he was growing up. We’ve enhanced it with additional flavors that make it even more irresistible, complementing the cranberry’s natural tartness with sweet brown sugar, fresh orange juice and zest, warm cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Whether you’re serving it alongside turkey and all the traditional sides or looking for a bright, acidic element to cut through rich holiday dishes, this cranberry sauce adds that fresh, homemade touch that makes the meal feel extra special.
Jump to:
- Why this is the Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe (with orange)
- Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce Ingredients
- How to Make Cranberry Orange Sauce
- How to Make Cranberry Orange relish ahead of time
- Expert Tips
- What Pairs Well with Cranberry Sauce?
- How to Store Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
- Dave’s Cranberry Sauce with Orange Recipe
Why this is the Best Cranberry Sauce Recipe (with orange)
Level of difficulty: Easy. Put ingredients in a pan, boil, simmer, and enjoy!
Flavor: Tart cranberries, sweet orange juice, and all your favorite holiday flavors like brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla combine into one celebration of the season.
Time: You’ll need about 20 minutes to make this homemade cranberry sauce recipe.
Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries
- Oranges (juice and zest)
- Salt
- Vanilla
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Add all ingredients into a large saucepan
- Stir to combine
- Bring mixture to a soft boil over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, then simmer on medium low for 10 minutes
- Allow to cool, and enjoy!
How to Make Cranberry Orange relish ahead of time
This cranberry orange sauce is actually even better when made ahead of time! The flavors have a chance to meld together, creating an even more delicious result. You can make orange cranberry sauce up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Please note that the sauce will thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a bit loose when it’s warm, that’s completely normal. If you’d like to serve it warm, simply reheat it gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
Expert Tips
- Want to change it up a bit? Add bourbon! Cranberry sauce is a great dish to experiment with, and bourbon adds a fun depth of flavor to this Thanksgiving side dish. Start by removing 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice from the recipe as noted and replacing it with your favorite bourbon. Add more to taste. Enjoy your bourbon cranberry sauce as you normally would.
- Looking to cut carbs? There are a few ways to do this. You can replace half the orange juice with water, or cut the brown sugar in half. When doing this, you may want to taste it and add a little stevia into your cranberry sauce to balance out tartness of the berries.
What Pairs Well with Cranberry Sauce?
Cranberry sauce is a classic Thanksgiving side dish. The sweet and tangy berries make a perfect companion to savory turkey. But cranberry sauce works well with a lot of meats too. Try pairing it with chicken, pork, and sausage! This cranberry sauce is also great in this fun cranberry crostini appetizer recipe and can also be used in our cranberry and cheese puff pastry bites appetizer too!
How to Store Cranberry Orange Sauce
Allow the cranberry sauce to cool completely before storing, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 1 week. The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools (this is normal!).
Can you freeze cranberry orange relish?
Yes, for longer storage, cranberry sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. Transfer fully cooled cranberry sauce to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving a little room at the top for expansion. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the cranberry sauce overnight in the refrigerator. You may notice some separation after thawing. Simply give it a good stir to help it reincorporate.
Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
Dave’s Cranberry Sauce with Orange Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed
- 1 C fresh squeezed orange juice (from approx. 3 large oranges)
- zest of 1 large orange
- ½ C brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a large saucepan
- Stir to combine
- Bring mixture to a soft boil over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, then simmer on medium low for 10 minutes
- Allow to cool, and enjoy!
Greg R says
Wonderful sauce with any kind of meat (a great side for turkey, but I like mine with pork tenderloin). I prefer my cranberry sauce tart, so this sauce is perfect for me. If you like yours sweet, maybe add just a bit more sugar. Not too much, though.
ourlovelanguageisfood says
Great tip on adding this to pork tenderloin and note on adding a little more sugar if preferred – thanks Greg!