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Zesty Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe Easy Homemade Holiday Sauce

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A bright, fresh, and zesty homemade cranberry orange sauce that balances tart cranberries with citrusy orange zest and juice. Perfect for holiday meals and quick to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice (from about 1 large orange)
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (from the same orange)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cranberries under cold water and pick out any soft or damaged berries.
  2. Grate 1 tablespoon of orange zest from a large orange, avoiding the white pith, and juice the orange to get about 1/2 cup of fresh juice. Set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup water, and the orange juice until the sugar dissolves completely.
  4. Add the rinsed cranberries to the saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries mostly burst but retain some texture.
  5. Stir in the orange zest, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (if using), and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Simmer for another 2 minutes to blend flavors.
  6. Check the consistency; if too thick, add a splash of water, if too thin, simmer longer. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
  7. Transfer the sauce to a clean jar or bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Notes

Use fresh cranberries for best flavor; frozen cranberries can be used if rinsed and drained. Freshly squeezed orange juice and zest are key for the bright flavor. Stir occasionally during simmering to avoid burning. For a smoother sauce, blend briefly after cooking. Adjust sugar to taste or substitute with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile. Sauce thickens as it cools. Store in airtight container refrigerated up to 2 weeks or frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, cranberry orange sauce, holiday sauce, Thanksgiving sauce, Christmas sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, zesty sauce, easy cranberry sauce

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/zesty-cranberry-orange-sauce-recipe-easy-homemade-holiday-sauce/