Description
A simple and refreshing homemade cranberry sauce enhanced with the natural sweetness and citrusy flavor of orange juice and zest. Perfect for holiday dinners or as a tangy condiment.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ teaspoon orange zest (optional)
Instructions
- Boil liquids and dissolve sugar: In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring the water and orange juice to a boil. Add in the sugar and stir until it is completely dissolved.
- Cook cranberries: Pour in the cranberries and stir until they begin to burst, then lower the heat to a simmer. Add the orange zest if using and allow the mixture to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cool and thicken: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. Then place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour to chill and thicken further before serving.
Notes
- Do not add the orange zest too early to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- For a smoother sauce, blend some or all of the cranberries using an immersion blender.
- Adjust the consistency by adding more or less liquid, or thicken with cornstarch if needed.
- Allow the sauce to cool completely for the best flavor and texture as it thickens while chilling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
