Cranberry sauce with oranges is a simple thanksgiving sauce that you need to include in your dinner menu. It can be made from fresh or even frozen cranberries for a sauce that’s ready in 20 minutes or less. Try out for your next big Thanksgiving Turkey dinner!
If you enjoyed this recipe, I know you’ll also love these Brown butter garlic mashed sweet potatoes, Restaurant style Air Fried Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze, Easy Spiced Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup and also Fall Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe.
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, you need to have this Cranberry sauce on your dinner table. It is easy to make, comes together in 20 minutes, and can also be made ahead of time hassle-free.
Trust me when I tell you that this thanksgiving ditching the canned cranberry sauce for this one might be the best decision you’ll ever make! It pairs perfectly with every traditional Thanksgiving recipe
This is the best Cranberry sauce with orange
This cranberry sauce is especially amazing because you can make it ahead of time for your thanksgiving dinner and store it in the fridge or in the freezer.
That way once the big day comes you have one less thing to worry about.
Why you need to make this recipe!
- This cranberry sauce comes together in no time.
- Need a make ahead Thanksgiving sauce recipe? This is it!
- It has a nice little twist from the more traditional recipe.
- Great homemade cranberry sauce that will allow you to control how much sugar goes into it.
Ingredients for this homemade cranberry sauce
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this cranberry sauce recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- Cranberries – You can use either frozen or fresh cranberries for this recipe.
- Orange juice– This recipes uses orange juice to add extra depth of flavor and complimnt the cranberry flavor.
- Brown sugar– The brown sugar is the sweetner for our cranberry sauce.
- Granulated sugar- The addition of granulated sugar willl sweeten our sauce a little more to make it just perfect!
- Vanilla (optional)– To take our sauce up a notch, I like to add a little vanilla extract for added depth of flavor again.
- Orange zest- The orange zest adds the perfect bright finish to our cranberry sauce.
How to make cranberry orange sauce at home?
This is how you can make cranberry sauce. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
- In a large pot combine the cranberries, brown sugar, granulated sugar, orange juice, water, and vanilla over medium heat. Give it a good stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer, and cook.
- Remove from the heat, transfer to a bowl, top it with orange zest and let it cool down. The cranberry sauce might look thin but it will thicken as it cools down.
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
How long doesn this cranberry sauce with oranges last?
It will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge but can also be frozen in an air-tight container for up to 3 months.
Do you heat up cranberry sauce?
Cranberry sauce is usually served slightly cold or at room temperature so no need to reheat it.
Jazz up your cranberry sauce
Something you should know about cranberry sauce is that you can take it to all kinds of different places by changing a few things. Here are some of my favorite way to take it up a notch:
- Cinnamon- The traditional cranberry sauce usually
- Orange zest– Adding some extra orange zest on top of your cranberry sauce before serving wil add a beautiful pop of color as well as a super fun flavor too.
- Red wine– Adding ⅓-1/2 cup of red wine to the cranberry sauce will help bring out extra depth of flavor in your cranberry sauce.
- Candied pecans– You can use candied nuts or just toasted nuts mixed into the sauce right befroe serving for a fun textural element.
- Ginger– Adding some grated ginger,
How far in advance can you make cranberry sauce with oranges?
This cranberry sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Ever since we moved to the US we make it the week before Thanksgiving and store it in the fridge. Less worry comes on Thanksgiving day!
Ways to use cranberry sauce with oranges
When it comes to cranberry sauce the possibilities are endless, here are a few fun ways to have cranberry sauce:
- With a side of Thanksgiving turkey obviously!
- As a side to Restaurant style Air Fried Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
- On top of Brown butter garlic mashed sweet potatoes, or this The Best Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Spread on Almond Flour Pancakes, pumpkin biscuits, Small batch biscuits for two, or even on top of this Mini Cheesecake recipe for one/two.
Can I make sugar free cranberry sauce?
You can always use stevia or spend instead of the brown and granulated sugar for a keto cranberry sauce. 2
Cranberry sauce with Oranges
If you made orange cranberry sauce and enjoyed it, don’t forget to leave a 5-star review by clicking on the 5 stars under the title and description. It would help me a ton
Cranberry sauce with oranges
Ingredients
- 12 oz cranberries
- ⅔ cup brown sugar use ½ cup if you want it a little less sweet
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- ¼ teaspoon orange zest for topping
Instructions
- In a large pot combine the cranberries, brown sugar, granulated sugar, orange juice, water, and vanilla over medium heat. Give it a good stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer, and cook for another 15-20 minutes. with a wooden sptaata stir and crush the cranberries from time to time.
- Remove from the heat, transfer to a bowl, top it with orange zest and let it cool down. The cranberry sauce might look thin but it will thicken as it cools down.
Notes
Nutrition
Thank you for making it all the way down here 🙂
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Gigi
Can I use lemon juice instead of Oranges, and should I adjust the sugar….. possibly Meyer lemons would be less bitter?
Chahinez
Yes you’re exactly right. It will definitely need more sugar and add the lemon juice in increments since it’s stronger than oranges.
Natalie
I made this for Thanksgiving this year. It was a huge hit with all my guests! It’s was so easy to make and soooo good! Thank you so much for sharing, definitely going to be a regular additon to Thanksgiving from now on!
Chahinez
What an awesome comment! Thank you!
Mackenzie
I made this for 3 different Thanksgiving dinners this year. An absolute hit!! Everyone asked for the recipe ❤
Chahinez
I am so happy to hear that everyone loved this Cranberry sauce!
Chahinez