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A white fluted bowl filled with chunky, homemade cranberry sauce, with a gold spoon and fresh cranberries.
Layla

Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce

Elevate your holiday table with this vibrant Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce. It's perfectly balanced with sweet, tart, and warm spice notes, making it the ideal companion for turkey and more.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 83

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries rinsed and picked over
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar adjust to taste
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice from about 1 large orange
  • 1 tbsp orange zest finely grated
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur optional, stirred in at the end

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Zester or Microplane
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, water, fresh orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon stick, ground allspice, and salt.
  2. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.
  3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will hear the cranberries start to pop as they cook.
  4. The sauce is ready when most of the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. It will continue to thicken significantly as it cools.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully remove and discard the cinnamon stick. If using, stir in the optional Grand Marnier.
  6. Transfer the cranberry sauce to a bowl or jar and let it cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

Sauce will thicken considerably as it cools. Don't worry if it looks a bit thin on the stove.
For a smoother sauce, you can press it through a fine-mesh sieve after cooking.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Make-Ahead: This is a perfect make-ahead dish for the holidays. The flavors will meld and deepen overnight.