Description
This tangy and sweet Cranberry Orange Sauce is a perfect accompaniment for holiday meals or any occasion. Made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, honey, and a hint of cinnamon, this easy-to-make sauce balances vibrant citrus flavors with the tartness of cranberries. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a delicious and fresh alternative to canned cranberry sauce.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup honey (or adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from 1 large orange)
- 1 tsp lightly packed orange zest (from the same orange)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare the simmer base: In a medium saucepan, combine 2/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1 tsp orange zest, and 1 cinnamon stick. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently until the honey dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer.
- Add cranberries and cook: Stir in 12 oz of cranberries and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a low boil. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the cranberries burst and the sauce starts to thicken.
- Adjust sweetness and cool: About a minute before finishing, taste the sauce and add more honey if a sweeter flavor is desired, considering the sauce will thicken further as it cools. Remove the pan from heat, discard the cinnamon stick, and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup or sugar if preferred.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries both work equally well for this recipe.
- The sauce will thicken as it cools, so slightly thinner consistency when warm is expected.
- Use freshly squeezed orange juice and zest for the best vibrant flavor.
- This sauce can be prepared a day ahead and stored refrigerated in an airtight container.
