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Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe – Easy Homemade with Citrus and Cinnamon

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This vibrant cranberry orange sauce combines fresh cranberries, zesty orange, and warm cinnamon for a festive, glossy side dish. Quick to make and naturally gluten-free and vegan, it’s perfect for holidays or everyday breakfasts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large orange (zest and juice, about 1/2 cup juice)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • Optional: 1/4 cup dried cherries or golden raisins

Instructions

  1. Rinse cranberries in cool water, removing any stems or shriveled berries. If using frozen, use straight from the bag.
  2. Zest the orange using a microplane or fine grater, avoiding the bitter white pith. Juice the orange to yield about 1/2 cup.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, sugar, water, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
  4. Set saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to bubble (about 3–4 minutes).
  5. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until cranberries burst and sauce thickens. For chunkier sauce, stop early; for smoother, mash gently.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in optional vanilla extract, nuts, or dried fruit if using.
  7. Let sauce cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
  8. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with extra orange zest or cinnamon if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Taste as you go—adjust sugar for sweeter or tarter oranges. Sauce thickens as it cools. Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to 2 months. For chunkier texture, simmer less; for smoother, mash berries. Skip nuts for allergies. Add spices like ginger or clove for extra holiday flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, orange, Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday, vegan, gluten-free, easy, cinnamon, citrus, homemade

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/cranberry-orange-sauce-recipe-easy-homemade-with-citrus-and-cinnamon/