Sweet and Tangy Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest Recipe
This classic cranberry sauce is a tangy and sweet accompaniment that perfectly complements savory dishes, especially during holiday meals. Made with fresh cranberries, sugar, and citrusy orange juice and zest, it offers a vibrant flavor and a luscious, thick texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the fresh cranberries, sugar, and orange juice, stirring gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Bring to Boil: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Simmer the Sauce: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the cranberries for about 10 minutes, or until most of the berries have burst and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Add Orange Zest: Stir in the teaspoon of orange zest to infuse bright citrus flavor into the sauce just before removing from heat.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cranberry sauce to cool completely at room temperature before transferring to a serving dish. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.
Notes
- The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- For a smoother texture, pulse the cooled cranberry sauce briefly in a blender or food processor.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup and adjust to taste.
- Fresh cranberries can be substituted with frozen cranberries if fresh are unavailable; do not thaw before cooking.
- Adding spices like cinnamon or cloves can provide a warm, festive flavor variation.
Keywords: cranberry sauce, holiday sauce, fresh cranberries, orange zest cranberry sauce, stovetop cranberry sauce, sweet tart sauce
