Easy & Delicious Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe ·

My easy homemade orange cranberry sauce/relish is a vibrant blend of tangy cranberries and sweet, zesty oranges. It is perfect for adding a pop of flavor and color to your Thanksgiving table.

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My favorite recipe of cranberry orange sauce/relish was born when I ran out of a classic ingredient—maple syrup. Instead of my usual version with cinnamon and maple, I turned to orange juice and orange jam. The result was a delightful twist that’s now a family favorite! Credit goes to Mai Kakikish (@almondandfig) for inspiring me with her cranberry sauce enhanced with Seville orange jam.

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Recipe at a Glance

Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
Dietary Info: Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free
Key Flavor: Cranberry, Orange, Rosemary
Skill Level: Easy Beginner Level

Ingredients to Make Cranberry Orange Relish

Fresh or frozen cranberries: This recipe is forgiving and it works fine with either fresh or frozen cranberries.
Orange Juice: Preferably use freshly squeezed orange juice or a good quality store-bought one.
Water: Use water to dilute the sauce relish consistency if it is too thick.
Sugar: Use light brown sugar or white granulated sugar as a substitute.
Orange jam: A spoonful of store-bought orange jam adds a rich, concentrated sweetness, making it beautifully glossy and velvety.
Rosemary: Rosemary adds an earthy, aromatic note, giving to cranberry orange sauce a subtle pine-like fragrance that beautifully complements the sweetness and tartness.

How to Make Homemade Orange Cranberry Relish/Sauce

In a heavy bottom pan, add 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, apple juice, orange juice and 1 tablespoon of orange jam, 1/4 cup of light brown sugar and a sprig of rosemary.
Let sauce ingredients simmer for twenty minutes until all the cranberries popped up and the sauce became lusciously jammy.
Once it thickens, transfer it to a heat-resistant glass bowl and let it sit on the counter until it cools down. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. It’s then ready to be served or ready to be stored in the fridge until your feast. You can serve it cold, warm, or at room temperature.

Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Orange Sauce

Buy extra cranberries and freeze. This recipe is a great accompaniment for chicken, lamb or duck. Freeze some and use it all year long.
Avoid the white pith. Be sure to only get the orange peel and not the white pith, as that can add a bitter taste to your sauce.
Sweeten to taste. Start with less sugar and add more if desired, or use a natural sugar alternative for added flavor.
Serve it warm or cold. It’s just as delicious warm, served with turkey or chicken, as it is cold, on a turkey sandwich or salad.

Possible Substitutions & Additions

Add warm spices: Cinnamon complements cranberry sauce so well. If you don’t have fresh cinnamon sticks, you can substitute about 1/8-¼ teaspoon of cinnamon. Feel free to play around with other similar warm spices like cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger (freshly grated or crystallized ginger). They’ll give this sauce an extra depth of flavor.
Change up the sweetener: If you’re not a fan of brown or white sugar, you can make this with honey or agave syrup. You can get away with as little as ¼ cup of honey or agave syrup and still get the same level of sweetness as you would with regular sugar.
Sweeten with fruit: You can reduce the sugar to ¼ cup and instead add pureed or diced fruit to the cranberry sauce. Some fruits that work well include apples, pears, persimmons, and pineapple.
Make it spicy: Try adding some heat with jalapenos!
Go nuts: If you’d like a little crunch in your cranberry sauce, you should try adding walnuts or pecans. If you can find them candied, that sweet, nutty crunch would be so satisfying in this recipe!

What to Serve with Your Orange Cranberry Sauce

Frequently asked questions

Can I make cranberry orange sauce ahead of time, and how long will it last?

Yes, cranberry orange sauce can be made several days in advance. Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it will typically stay fresh for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to two months.

How can I thicken cranberry orange sauce if it’s too runny?

Cranberries naturally have pectin, which helps thicken the sauce as it cools. However, if it’s too thin, you can simmer it a bit longer, to reduce the liquid or add a spoonful of cornstarch mixed with water.

Can I reduce the sugar or make a sugar-free version of cranberry orange?

Absolutely! You can reduce the sugar to taste or substitute it with honey, maple syrup, or a sugar-free alternative like monk fruit. For a naturally sweeter sauce, add extra orange juice or mix in a few diced apples.

What to Do with the Leftover of Cranberry Sauce?

If you end up with leftover cranberry sauce, feel free to freeze it to use in recipes later on. You can also add it to the tip of a brie cheese and bake it. Watch this recipe of one pan of Brie, orange cranberry and croutons.

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