Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce
A vibrant, tangy cranberry-orange sauce combining fresh cranberries and bright orange juice, perfect as a tart accompaniment for turkey, pork, ham, or chicken dishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash and pick over the cranberries.
- Place the cranberries in a saucepan with the sugar, orange juice, and a dash of salt.
- Cover and bring to a boiling point.
- Cook until the skins pop, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Chill the sauce and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a less sweet sauce, reduce the sugar to 1.5 cups or substitute with honey or maple syrup. If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the sauce after cooking. Adding a hint of cinnamon or ginger can give a warm spice note. Fresh cranberries can be substituted with frozen cranberries, just ensure they're thawed and drained well before use.
Serving Suggestions
This cranberry orange sauce pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or chicken, making it a perfect addition to holiday meals. It can also be served as a condiment alongside a cheese platter or as a topping for desserts like Baked Apple Delight. For a refreshing twist, try it over vanilla ice cream or yogurt.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover cranberry orange sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It can also be frozen for up to three months. To reheat, simply warm it gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce contains roughly 490 calories, with 3g protein, 129g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (69% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (41% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 503mg per serving (22% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, this cranberry orange sauce can be made a few days in advance. In fact, the flavors tend to meld and improve after resting in the refrigerator. Just store it in an airtight container until you're ready to serve.
Is this cranberry sauce vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan-friendly as it contains only plant-based ingredients. The sugar can be replaced with agave syrup or coconut sugar if you're looking for alternatives, but make sure to check that your sugar is vegan-friendly.
What can I do with leftover cranberry sauce?
Leftover cranberry sauce can be spread on toast, mixed into oatmeal, or used as a filling for pastries. You can also incorporate it into smoothies for a fruity boost or use it as a topping for pancakes or waffles.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).