Cranberry sauce with orange juice makes a festive side dish for any holiday. Its sweet, tart taste is enhanced by fresh orange juice and zest.
This sweet-tart cranberry sauce with orange juice is easy to prepare and stores well for up to one week in the fridge – ideal for prepping ahead of time for holiday meals.
You can customize this cranberry sauce’s flavors by adding various ingredients and spices. Popular additions include raisins, pecans, and orange zest for extra zesty enjoyment.
How to Make Cranberry Sauce With Orange Juice
Ingredients
This festive sauce is composed of fresh cranberries and orange juice, giving it a natural sweetness and tart acidity that’s ideal for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal.
This easy cranberry sauce takes only minutes to prepare! Simply combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Once the craberries have popped, reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
Cranberries naturally release pectin, thickening the sauce without needing flour or starch. Plus, this sauce is an excellent way to use up leftover cranberries!
Make this delicious cranberry sauce up to 7 days ahead and store it in your refrigerator or freezer for later!
Preparation
Make this tart and refreshing cranberry sauce with orange juice to bring some holiday cheer to your holiday table. It only takes 15 minutes to make, and you’ll love its vibrant taste!
Preparation: Rinse the cranberries and discard any stems. Place in a medium saucepan over high heat with sugar and water; bring to a boil then reduce to simmer, stirring often to prevent sugar from burning.
Cook until most of the berries have burst and a thick sauce has formed, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in any zest you wish.
Let the cranberry sauce cool completely before storing in an airtight container in your refrigerator. This way, it can stay fresh up to one week or freeze well for months!
Cooking
Making your own cranberry sauce with orange juice is an ideal way to finish off turkey dinner. It has a delightful sweet and tart taste, made with ingredients easily found at any grocery store.
Begin by thoroughly rinsing your cranberries, taking care to remove any dirt or bruises before adding them to your sauce. Doing this helps prevent the berries from becoming mushy or soggy as they cook and thicken.
Place the cranberries in a medium saucepan with water, sugar and any additional desired ingredients. Bring to a boil on the stovetop before reducing to simmer for 15 minutes until berries burst and sauce thickens.
If you’d like to reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe, substitute part or all with brown sugar. Additionally, adding warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg will enhance the flavor even further.
Serving
No holiday would be complete without a bowl of this delectably easy homemade cranberry sauce! It’s naturally sweetened, uses fresh cranberries and orange juice, and you can adjust the sweetness according to your preference!
No matter if you serve it warm or room temperature, this cranberry sauce will be the star of your Thanksgiving meal. It pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, gravy and other side dishes for an irresistible touch.
If you don’t plan to serve the sauce right away, store it in a sterilised jar in your fridge for up to two days. Just bring it to room temperature before serving and scoop out as much as desired.
This cranberry sauce is the perfect way to use up any leftover berries from your turkey or roast. It can also be served as a healthy snack or added into desserts. Plus, it freezes well – up to one month in an airtight container!
What Is the Healthiest Way to Eat Cranberries?
The healthiest way to eat cranberries is to consume them fresh or frozen. Fresh cranberries are at their peak from October to December, but they can be frozen and consumed all year round.
Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C and fiber, but their real nutritional value comes from their powerful phytochemicals.
Some healthy ways to incorporate cranberries into your diet include adding them to smoothies, oatmeal, salsa, or granola. You can also try mixing raw cranberries with salt, olive oil, and spices in a microwave-safe bowl for a warm seasoned snack.
Other options include using frozen or dried cranberries in recipes such as casseroles, chutneys, muffins, and cookies.
A Few Things to Note
Cranberries are a beloved holiday treat, thanks to their tart yet sweet tartness. Plus, these nutritious little gems contain essential vitamins C and fiber as well as antioxidants which may help lower cholesterol levels, prevent certain cancers, and lower heart disease risks.
If you’re watching your sugar intake, it may be best to limit your consumption of cranberries. Most store-bought cranberry sauces contain added sugar, oil and other flavorings which mask the natural tartness of the berry.
If you can’t find fresh cranberries in your area, make your own with this recipe for boozy cranberry sauce:
Dried cranberries are an easy way to add tart flavor and texture to recipes. They go great with spicy sausage, hearty stew, grain salads or sweet treats like these delicious cranberry pecan muffins!
When purchasing dried cranberries, make sure they are unsweetened and free from added oil or other additives. Doing so can deprive the fruit of its tart flavor as well as making them less healthful than fresh cranberries.
Cranberries add color and crunch to recipes like Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies. They make for great holiday additions in recipes like Healthy Banana Cakes or Christmas Gingerbread Loaf as well.
When baking these treats, drizzle some maple syrup or honey over for an irresistible seasonal treat that’s fit for the season!
