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Best Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce: Easy Holiday Side

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A bright, tangy, and glossy fresh cranberry orange sauce that serves as the perfect palate-cleansing side dish for holiday meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is quick to make, uses simple pantry staples, and offers a superior flavor compared to canned alternatives.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 2 large navel oranges (one zested, one juiced)
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 pinch salt
  • Optional: Honey or maple syrup for substitution

Instructions

  1. Wash the oranges thoroughly. Zest one orange to get about 2 tablespoons of zest, avoiding the bitter white pith. Juice the zested orange and the second orange to yield approximately 1 cup of fresh juice.
  2. In a medium saucepan (2-3 quarts), combine the fresh cranberries, sugar, water, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to ensure the sugar is fully dispersed.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the liquid bubbles vigorously (5-7 minutes).
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer gently. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Continue simmering for 10-12 minutes until most cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature (30-45 minutes). The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools due to natural pectin.
  6. Transfer to a serving bowl or storage container. Serve immediately or refrigerate. The flavor improves after sitting for a few hours.

Notes

Do not overcook the sauce, as it can become slimy. The sauce will thicken significantly as it cools, so remove from heat while it still looks slightly loose. For a spiced variation, add a cinnamon stick or cloves during simmering. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or frozen for up to three months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, orange sauce, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving recipe, Christmas dinner, fresh cranberry sauce, easy holiday recipes, gluten-free side

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/best-fresh-cranberry-orange-sauce-easy-holiday-side/