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Quick Orange Cranberry Sauce

photo of a recipe for orange cranberry sauce

Happy week before Thanksgiving!  If you’re looking for a quick side dish for your holiday, this orange cranberry sauce is super easy and delicious.  It’s a nice balance of tart and sweet with just a hint of earthiness from cinnamon and cardamom.  These warming flavors make this the perfect recipe for blustery fall and winter days.    

cranberries, oranges, and cinnamon sticks for orange cranberry sauce
cranberries, oranges, vanilla, brown sugar, and spices for orange cranberry sauce

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a good canned cranberry sauce.  You know the one… You have to shimmy it out of the can and then slice it with a knife.  That cranberry sauce reminds me of my childhood, and I still love it to this day.  But sometimes it’s nice to elevate your cranberry sauce game and go with a wonderfully tart homemade version. 

This sauce is also so versatile.  It compliments Thanksgiving dinner so well but can also be used as a dessert topping, a spread for toast, or even a filling for tartlets.  I love topping a slice of toasted baguette with brie or mascarpone cheese and a dollop of this cranberry sauce.  So, so good!

orange cranberry sauce in a decorative bowl

To start, I mix a bunch of fresh cranberries with freshly grated ginger, orange zest and juice, cardamom pods, half a cinnamon stick, vanilla, and dark brown sugar. I add just enough water to get a nice consistency and bring to a boil.  Once the mixture starts to boil, I lower the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes or so.

Next, I mash a handful of cranberries with the back of a wooden spoon to help break them up and thicken the sauce a bit. Let the sauce cool and there you have it!  A super simple and delicious Thanksgiving side dish.    

Eat well and enjoy!

cranberries and oranges for orange cranberry sauce
Cooking Method
Courses , , ,
Difficulty Beginner
Time
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 20 mins
Servings 6
Best Season Fall
Description

This super easy, homemade orange cranberry sauce is the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and earthy. 

Ingredients
  • 4 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 to 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
  • 1 tsp fresh orange zest
  • Juice from 1 small to medium orange
  • 3 cardamom pods
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar (tightly packed)
Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a medium saucepan over high heat.  Bring to a boil.  Once the mixture begins to boil, lower the heat to low/medium and simmer until thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes.

  2. Mash some of the cranberries with the back of a wooden spoon to help thicken the mixture more, until you have your desired consistency.

  3. Remove from the heat and let cool completely before serving.

Keywords: cranberry sauce, cranberries, thanksgiving side dish, orange cranberry sauce, orange, cranberry, thanksgiving, holiday recipe, holiday sides, thanksgiving recipes, holidays, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, orange zest
Did you make this recipe?
Read it online: https://www.sweetrindandsalt.com/recipe/orange-cranberry-sauce/
Abby Mosler