Name: Easy Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 12 oz. fresh cranberries (rinsed); 1 cup white sugar; 1/2 cup water; zest of 1 orange (finely grated); 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice; 1 tbls. fresh ginger root (peeled and finely minced)

This homemade cranberry sauce recipe with a refreshing twist of orange and a hint of ginger is sure to become a staple at your Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

November 13, 2024

At our home, Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without a bowl of cranberry sauce.

But why settle for the canned stuff when you can make your own homemade version in just a few minutes?

Easy cranberry sauce recipe with orange and ginger in a white bowl.

The combination of tart cranberries, zesty citrus, and ginger creates a flavor-packed sauce that’s both sweet and tangy.

Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.

Get ready to wow your guests with this fresh and delicious addition to your holiday table!

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Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Sauce Recipe?

Quick and Easy: Only 15 minutes to prepare.
Simple Ingredients: It requires only a handful of ingredients.
Fresh and Flavorful: Made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and ginger for a bright and zesty taste.
Versatile: Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other special occasion.
Better Than Canned: Homemade cranberry sauce is fresher, tastier, healthier and more customizable than store-bought options.
Make Ahead: Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 10-14 days.
A Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe is a hit with both kids and adults.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients to make homemade cranberry sauce recipe: fresh cranberries, white sugar, ginger root, orange zest, fresh squeezed orange juice.

Here’s what you need to make my fresh orange ginger cranberry sauce recipe

fresh or frozen cranberries, do not use dried
water
fresh orange juice and zest adds a bright, citrusy flavor
fresh ginger gives a subtle warmth and spice.
sugar balances the tartness of the cranberries.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

First you’ll want to rinse and sort your cranberries, discard any soft cranberries and stems.

Step 2

Rinse orange and remove the zest from one orange with a fine grater or zester.

I love this fine grater, it’s not only perfect for citrus fruits, but I also love it for hard cheeses.

Peel and finely mince 1 tablespoon of ginger root.

I find it easier to use the fine grater for this too.

Depending on how juicy your orange is you may need 1 or 2 oranges.

Tip: To get more juice out of your orange, warm it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds first.

Squeeze enough oranges to get 1/2 c. fresh squeezed juice.

Step 3

Place cranberries, water, orange juice and zest, sugar and ginger in a sauce pan.

Stir to combine.

Fresh cranberries in a stainless steel pan with a wooden spoon.

Place sauce pan over medium heat, bring to a boil and cook until the cranberries pop and open.

This should take no more than 10 minutes.

Let cool and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Fresh cranberry sauce can last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days.

To store cranberry sauce:

Let it cool completely
Store in a resealable container
Refrigerate

You can also freeze cranberry sauce for up to 6 months.

To freeze cranberry sauce:

Let it cool completely
Store in an airtight container in the freezer
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving

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Do you have favorite ingredients you like to add to your cranberry sauce recipe?

We’d love to know your tips for preparing and serving cranberries.

One of my all time favorite fall salads is my Cranberry Salad with Apples, Pecans, Pears and Oranges.

It’s too bad cranberry season is so short.

If you love cranberries like we do, buy a couple extra bags of cranberries and freeze them to use later.

Take a look at few more recipes you’ll love this fall:

How to Use Leftover Cranberries

Here are some creative ways to use leftover cranberry sauce:

Try our Cranberry Meatball Appetizer.
Add a a tablespoon or 2 to a turkey sandwich.
Drizzle over a baked ham for a sweet and tangy glaze.
Use as a sauce for pork chops or other roasted meats.
Mix with barbecue sauce for a tangy flavor.
Layer with yogurt and granola for a healthy and delicious breakfast.
Swirl into vanilla ice cream for a tart and sweet dessert.
Swirl into your favorite cheesecake recipe.
Stir into a bowl of hot oatmeal, or make overnight oats.
Top an english muffin or bagel with cream cheese and a spoonful of cranberry sauce.

FAQs

Can I substitute orange juice for water when making cranberry sauce?

Yes, you can substitute orange juice for 1/2 of water when making cranberry sauce. Using orange juice instead of water enhances the flavor of the sauce by adding a natural sweetness and a citrusy zing that pairs beautifully with the tartness of the cranberries. It also gives the sauce a more vibrant, complex taste compared to using water alone.

What thickens cranberry sauce?

Cranberry sauce naturally thickens as it cooks due to pectin, a natural thickening agent found in cranberries. When cranberries are heated, pectin is released, helping the sauce set and become gel-like as it cools. Wait until most of the cranberries have burst, as this releases pectin and helps the sauce thicken.

How to know when cranberry sauce is done?

You’ll know your cranberry sauce is done when it has reached the right texture and most of the cranberries have burst, creating a thick, jam-like consistency. Here are some key indicators to look for: As the sauce simmers, it will start to bubble and thicken. You’ll notice it go from a watery consistency to a thicker, glossy texture. A good test is to dip a spoon into the sauce. If the sauce coats the back of the spoon without being too runny, it’s ready.

Can I freeze my homemade cranberry sauce?

Yes, you can definitely freeze your homemade cranberry sauce! Freezing is a great way to preserve it if you have leftovers or want to make it ahead of time for the holidays. Cranberry sauce freezes well because of its high acidity and sugar content, which helps maintain its texture and flavor. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

What’s healthier homemade or store bought cranberry sauce?

Homemade cranberry sauce is generally healthier than store-bought versions. Store-bought cranberry sauce often contains high amounts of added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup. When you make it at home, you can control the amount and type of sweetener used (e.g., honey, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute). Many commercial cranberry sauces include preservatives and artificial flavorings to extend shelf life. Homemade versions rely on fresh ingredients, making them a cleaner option. Fresh cranberries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Making sauce at home means you retain more of these nutrients, especially if you use fresh or minimally processed ingredients. Fresh cranberries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Making sauce at home means you retain more of these nutrients, especially if you use fresh or minimally processed ingredients. Plus homemade cranberry sauce has 50-80 calories per serving, while store bought has 100-120 calories and the homemade sauce is higher in fiber.

Easy Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce

Stephanie Hofer

A bright and tangy cranberry sauce with a hint of orange and ginger, perfect for the holidays. Quick and simple, ready in less than 15 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 2 cups

Calories 72 kcal

Ingredients

12 oz. fresh cranberries rinsed
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup water
zest of 1 orange finely grated
1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1 tbls. fresh ginger root peeled and finely minced

Instructions

Rinse and sort fresh cranberries. Discard any soft cranberries and stems.
Place cranberries in a pan, add sugar, water, orange zest, fresh orange juice and minced ginger root. Stir to combine.
Cook over medium heat until cranberries pop and open, about 10 minutes.
Let cool, refrigerate.

Notes

Fresh cranberry sauce can last in the fridge for 10 to 14 days.

To store cranberry sauce:

Let it cool completely
Store in a resealable container
Refrigerate

You can also freeze cranberry sauce for up to 6 months.

To freeze cranberry sauce:

Let it cool completely
Store in an airtight container in the freezer
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving

Here are some creative ways to use leftover cranberry sauce:

Try our Cranberry Meatball Appetizer.

Drizzle over a baked ham for a sweet and tangy glaze.

Use as a sauce for pork chops or other roasted meats.

Mix with barbecue sauce for a tangy flavor.

Layer with yogurt and granola for a healthy and delicious breakfast.

Swirl into vanilla ice cream for a tart and sweet dessert.

Swirl into your favorite cheesecake recipe.

Stir into a bowl of hot oatmeal, or make overnight oats.

Top an english muffin or bagel with cream cheese and a spoonful of cranberry sauce.

Keyword holidays, orange ginger, quick and easy, simple, stove top, sweet and tart, thanksgiving, under 15 minutes, zesty

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