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Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Brown Sugar

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Brown Sugar
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This Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Brown Sugar combines fresh cranberries, bright orange zest and juice, and rich brown sugar to create a vibrant, flavorful sauce perfect for holiday meals. Easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients, it offers a balance of tartness and sweetness with a beautiful ruby-red color. Ideal for serving alongside turkey, ham, cheese boards, or desserts, this versatile sauce will become a festive favorite year after year.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries (whole and plump)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest (from 1 orange)
  • ½ cup water
  • Pinch of salt

Optional

  • 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse the fresh cranberries, discarding any that are soft or blemished. Carefully zest one orange to capture the bright outer peel without the bitter white pith, then juice the orange to measure about ½ cup of fresh juice.
  2. Combine in a Saucepan: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, brown sugar, fresh orange juice, orange zest, water, and a pinch of salt. If using, add the cinnamon stick now to infuse a warm spicy undertone.
  3. Cook Until Bubbly and Thickened: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Once it starts bubbling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10–12 minutes until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
  4. Final Touches and Cooling: Remove the saucepan from heat, take out the cinnamon stick if used, and give it a final stir. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature; it will continue to thicken as it cools and the flavors will deepen.

Notes

  • Use fresh cranberries and real orange juice for the best flavor.
  • Simmer just until the cranberries pop to keep a balance of tartness and texture.
  • Adjust sweetness by adding more brown sugar if preferred.
  • Let the sauce rest and cool to enhance flavor melding.
  • Make ahead by preparing one or two days before to save time and improve taste.
  • Frozen cranberries can be used but add 2–3 extra minutes of cooking time.
  • For a vegan version, this recipe is naturally suitable as is.
  • Freeze leftovers for up to three months in freezer-safe containers.
  • Reheat gently without boiling to preserve texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, orange cranberry sauce, brown sugar cranberry sauce, vegan cranberry sauce, festive side dish

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/homemade-cranberry-sauce-with-orange-and-brown-sugar/