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Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce with Zest: Easy 15-Minute Recipe

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This fresh cranberry orange sauce with zest is a quick and easy 15-minute recipe that uses simple ingredients to deliver a bright, tangy, and perfectly balanced sauce. It’s the ideal companion for holiday gatherings or a simple weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 medium navel orange (juice and zest)
  • Pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the orange thoroughly. Zest the entire orange using a microplane, being careful to avoid the white pith. Set zest aside. Cut the orange in half and juice it to get about 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, and fresh orange juice. Stir to combine.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir occasionally. This takes about 5 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the berries have popped and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Test for doneness by dipping a spoon into the sauce and dragging your finger across the back. If the line holds for a second, it’s done.
  6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the fresh orange zest.
  7. Let the sauce cool in the saucepan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a serving bowl or jar. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Notes

Add the orange zest at the very end off the heat to preserve the bright citrus oils. For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender for a few pulses after adding the zest. The sauce thickens as it cools. Make ahead for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry sauce, orange cranberry sauce, homemade cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving cranberry sauce, easy cranberry sauce, 15-minute recipe, holiday side dish

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/fresh-cranberry-orange-sauce-with-zest-easy-15-minute-recipe/