Cranberry Sauce Orange Zest (Printable)

Vibrant blend of cranberries and orange zest creates a tangy-sweet sauce ideal for holiday dishes or condiments.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

02 - 1 medium orange, zested and juiced (about 1/2 cup juice)

03 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar

04 - 1/4 cup water

05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

06 - Pinch of salt

01 - Rinse cranberries thoroughly and remove any soft or damaged berries.

02 - In a medium saucepan, mix cranberries, orange juice and zest, sugar, water, cinnamon if using, and salt.

03 - Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

04 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently until cranberries burst and sauce thickens.

05 - Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature; sauce will thicken further.

06 - Transfer to a serving dish or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.

01 -

This sauce balances tart cranberries with fragrant orange zest in a way that feels like a warm surprise every time.
It's quick and easy but tastes like you've spent hours perfecting it—your secret holiday weapon.

02 -

Choosing ripe, firm cranberries makes all the difference; avoid any that feel mushy to keep the sauce fresh and vibrant.
Letting the sauce rest after cooking thickens it perfectly—it won't be as runny as when hot, so no need to cook it down longer.

03 -

Taste as you go, adjusting sugar slowly; not all cranberries are created equally tart.
Adding the zest early helps infuse more of its bright oils for a deeper orange flavor.