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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Favorite Cranberry Orange Sauce

    Favorite Cranberry Orange Sauce

    Published Nov 12, 2020 · Modified May 13, 2021 · by Alexis Joseph · 37 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    The most delicious and easy Cranberry Orange Sauce sweetened with pure maple syrup! A healthier version jazzed up with vanilla, cinnamon, and bourbon if desired. It comes together in no time and is great on top of oatmeal or yogurt!

    gray bowl of cranberry sauce with silver spoon

    My love for cranberry sauce runs DEEP.

    Not the gelatinous kind from a can. Heavens no, that's just frightening.

    Making homemade cranberry sauce is so dang quick and easy that it's truly bamboozling why anyone would go the canned route. It takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish and lasts for over a week in the fridge. Fabulous much?!

    You know I love me some acid balanced with sweet, so my favorite cranberry sauce is packed with bright orange juice and plenty of zest. Fresh is totally best here! And go ahead and get the biggest orange you can find. The more the merrier.

    I love a pinch of cinnamon, a splash of vanilla, and even a little bit of bourbon in my cranberry sauce to really take this classic recipe to the next level. It tastes SO good, and not just as a Thanksgiving side dish! Jeff and I devour this stuff on yogurt, oatmeal, toast, sandwiches, and by the spoon! It's weirdly good with peanut butter, too.

    OMG how good does a grilled cheese with cranberry sauce, Granny Smith apple, sharp cheddar, and Dijon sound? Ok I'm dying.

    white pot of cranberries and orangeKey ingredients and substitutions

    • Cranberries: We're using a 12oz bag of fresh cranberries here. They freeze well so if you have a bag in the freezer like I did, that works great too. Give them a good rinse and pick out any mushy ones so they don't sneak into the sauce.
    • Orange juice: Fresh is best! Grab the biggest navel orange you can find and get every last drop of juice left. You should have about half a cup. If you can't make it to the store, bottled orange juice will work in a pinch but you'll miss the flavor of the zest.
    • Pure maple syrup: The one and only, for deep maple flavor! So much more fun than granulated sugar, if you ask me. Honey would also work, but it may have a more noticeable flavor.
    • Cinnamon: There's something so lovely about orange and cinnamon. It goes so well with the cranberries and adds extra flavor intrigue. I love Saigon cinnamon from Costco.
    • Bourbon: Another interesting flavor boost that really sets this sauce apart. It heightens the flavor without tasting like whiskey, but you can totally omit it if you're not feeling that or don't drink alcohol.
    • Vanilla extract: Because when is vanilla not a grand idea? It rounds out the flavor nicely at the end.

    cranberry sauce in gray bowlIs cranberry sauce healthy?

    Indeed, cranberries are super good for you. In addition to offering antibacterial properties, they're also packed with inflammation-fighting antioxidants and 4 grams of fiber per cup. A newer study suggests that a carbohydrate found in cranberries may have prebiotic benefits for gut bacteria.

    Oftentimes the health benefits of cranberries are drowned out by mounds of sugar. I love using maple syrup here for an option lower in refined sugar. We're also using less added sugar overall than recipes typically call for thanks to naturally sweetened orange juice. That means a welcome boost of vitamin C, too!

    I tried out a version last week with half the amount of maple syrup (¼ cup) and while it was more tart, it was still delish if you want an even lower sugar option.

    Serving ideas

    If you think this healthy cranberry sauce is solely a Thanksgiving staple, think again! Cranberries freeze really well, so you stock up now while they're in season and whip up a batch any time of year. Try these other fun ways to enjoy it!

    • as a yogurt topping with crunchy granola
    • on toasty baguette slices with goat cheese, pecans, and fresh rosemary
    • on steel cut oatmeal with a spoonful of almond or peanut butter
    • on a grilled cheese or turkey sandwich with crisp apples, sharp cheddar or gouda, and Dijon mustard
    • as a smoothie add-in or topping

    plate with sweet potatoes and cranberry sauceStorage and freezing tips

    This recipe doubles and triples easily if you're feeding a crowd.

    To store: Keep cooled cranberry sauce in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

    To freeze: Place cooled cranberry sauce in a freezer-safe container or baggie and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy.

    More Thanksgiving recipes to love

    Oh man, do I have plenty of delish ideas for your turkey table!

    • Healthy Green Bean Casserole
    • Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Portobello Boats with Rosemary Lentil Crumble
    • Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Squash and Pomegranate
    • Skillet Cornbread
    • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    • Pumpkin Pie Bars

    Let's get saucy!

    Print
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    gray bowl of cranberry sauce with silver spoon

    Favorite Cranberry Orange Sauce

    ★★★★★ 5 from 19 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph | Hummusapien
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 2 ¼ cups 1x
    • Category: Side Dishes
    • Method: Stove
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    The most delicious and easy Cranberry Orange Sauce sweetened with pure maple syrup! It's made extra special with a splash of vanilla extract, cinnamon, and bourbon if desired.This comes together in no time and is delicious on top of oatmeal or yogurt!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries (not dried)
    • 1 large orange, zested and juiced (about ½ cup orange juice)
    • ½ cup pure maple syrup*
    • 2 tbsp bourbon (optional)
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

    Instructions

    1. Rinse cranberries, sorting through and removing any mushy ones. Place all ingredients except vanilla in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. If you like thinner cranberry sauce, you can add ⅓ cup or more of water.
    2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for about 12 minutes or until thickened. Stir in vanilla.
    3. Transfer sauce to a bowl to cool. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

    Notes

    TO STORE/MAKE AHEAD: This lasts for 10 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

    TO FREEZE: Place cooled cranberry sauce in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

    *LOWER SUGAR: I've made this recipe successfully using ¼ cup maple syrup. It's more tart of course, but still delicious! You may want to add ¼ cup water or extra orange juice as well so it's not too thick.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Caitlin says

      December 26, 2020 at 2:03 pm

      Amazing cranberry sauce! I made this for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and will definitely be keeping it in the rotation for non-holidays. It's incredibly easy to make, but the orange and bourbon make it taste dynamic and fresh. A favorite!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 27, 2020 at 5:06 pm

        Yay!! I love the orange and bourbon combo 🙂 Thanks, Caitlin.

        Reply
    2. Kelsey says

      December 15, 2020 at 3:37 pm

      Made this to top my oats and it came together so quickly. Way better than store-bought! Thank you for another delicious recipe, Alexis!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 15, 2020 at 7:01 pm

        Love it, thanks a ton Kelsey! So delish on oats.

        Reply
    3. Jessica says

      December 08, 2020 at 7:02 pm

      Loved this cranberry sauce! Made it for the holidays without the bourbon and it was still delish. Had the perfect amount of sweetness.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 09, 2020 at 12:25 pm

        Amazing, thrilled to hear it Jessica!

        Reply
    4. Colleen says

      December 06, 2020 at 1:45 am

      This cranberry sauce was SO good and SO easy. I don’t really love cranberry sauce with turkey but I made this to put in yogurt and on toast with goat cheese and rosemary (per your suggestion). I probably ate half of it with a spoon straight from the container. Will be making all year long. Thanks for a great recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 06, 2020 at 12:32 pm

        Yesss love that! It's SO good with a spoon, I agree. Enjoy!!

        Reply
    5. Erin says

      December 02, 2020 at 5:02 pm

      best cranberry sauce I've ever made! Do not leave out the bourbon--takes it to the next level. I used vanilla pasta which really helped bring out the sweetness. I ate the whole recipe myself 😀

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 02, 2020 at 7:51 pm

        I so agree! And YUM to vanilla bean paste. Thanks, Erin!

        Reply
      • Valerie says

        December 03, 2020 at 5:19 am

        Made this on Thanksgiving and love, love, loved it so much!!!! This will 100% be my new go-to cranberry sauce and makes me want to make it not just for holidays but honestly, will keep coming back to this over fall/winter bc it’s that good!! Have put it on oatmeal and also put about a cup into a baked oatmeal that I made. INSANE flavor w the orange, vanilla, and cinnamon. Made it with 1/4 cup maple syrup and found it to be the perfect amount of sweet! Left out the bourbon the first time but will definitely try the next version with. Can really only get better right!? 🤣

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    6. Erin says

      December 01, 2020 at 11:43 pm

      Loved this simple recipe so much! I made it on Thanksgiving and it was sooo good. I have been having the leftovers in my oatmeal all week ever since - something else I wouldn't have thought of without your blog. I will be making this recipe again this winter. Thanks for your constant inspiration!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 02, 2020 at 12:29 am

        Love it on oatmeal, thanks so much Erin! It's great in these bars, too 🙂

        Reply
    7. Anna says

      November 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm

      Wow wow wow. This stuff is AMAZING! Made it with 1/4 cup maple syrup. It was a tad tangy for me so I added 5 drops of liquid stevia and it's perfect. Thank you for another delicious recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 01, 2020 at 6:26 pm

        Love that you made it your own, thank you Anna!!

        Reply
    8. Abed says

      November 25, 2020 at 7:53 pm

      Wow.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        November 25, 2020 at 10:16 pm

        FIRST LIKE

        Reply
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