Naturally Sweetened Cranberry Orange Sauce

A bowl of cranberry orange sauce with a spoon in it. Around the bowl of sauce is a small bowl of cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and a gray napkin.

Naturally Sweetened Cranberry Orange Sauce

This cranberry orange sauce is the perfect addition to your holiday meal! It's made with fresh cranberries, orange zest & juice, and is naturally sweetened with maple syrup. The flavors are a perfect blend of tart and sweet, and it's SO easy to make.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword cranberry orange sauce, cranberry sauce with orange

Freezer Friendly Yes

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Cooling time 13

Total Time 38

Servings

Calories 79kcal

Ingredients

1 lb fresh cranberries
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 cinnamon stick or sub for 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 cup orange juice

Instructions

Rinse the cranberries: First, rinse the cranberries under cold water. Pick out any berries that are smashed or crushed.
Simmer the sauce: add the cranberries, maple syrup, orange juice, zest, and cinnamon stick to a medium-sized pot. Bring to a gentle simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will begin to pop open and break down on their own.
Lower heat: once most of the cranberries have popped open, place the heat on LOW and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will reduce, thicken, and the cranberries will form a sauce. If you like a chunkier sauce you can leave it as is, or you can use a spoon to smash down any cranberries that aren't smooth.
Cool the sauce: once the sauce is finished, taste, and adjust with more sweetness if preferred. Then shut off the heat and let the sauce cool completely before placing it in an airtight container and refrigerating, or serve warm!

Notes

Make it ahead: this sauce is perfect for making ahead of time for any meal - but especially holiday meals! You can make it days or even a week ahead of your dinner. Just be sure it's stored in an airtight container and refrigerated.

How to freeze: cranberry sauce actually freezes great! Place it in a freezer-friendly bag, remove the air, and seal it shut. Freeze for up to 2 months!

Nutrition