Description
This vibrant Cranberry Orange Sauce combines the tangy freshness of cranberries with the sweet citrus notes of orange and maple syrup, creating a perfectly balanced condiment. Ideal for holiday feasts or as a zesty complement to roasted meats, this sauce is easy to prepare on the stovetop and can be served warm or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh cranberries, rinsed with cold water
Garnish
- Orange zest for garnish
Instructions
- Combine Liquids: In a medium saucepan, pour in the freshly squeezed orange juice, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to combine the flavors thoroughly.
- Add Cranberries and Zest: Once boiling, stir in the rinsed fresh cranberries and orange zest. Mix all the ingredients well to ensure the cranberries are evenly coated with the liquid mixture.
- Simmer to Thicken: Cover the saucepan with a lid, then reduce the heat to low. Allow the sauce to cook gently for 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, you’ll hear popping sounds as the cranberries burst, which is normal and signals the sauce is thickening.
- Cool the Sauce: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool down at room temperature for about 5 minutes to slightly thicken further and cool.
- Refrigerate and Serve: Transfer the cooled sauce into a bowl or airtight container and place it in the refrigerator to chill. When ready to serve, garnish with additional fresh orange zest for an extra pop of flavor and color.
Notes
- Zest Tip: Always zest the orange before juicing. Use a grater or microplane to zest only the orange outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith. If those tools aren’t available, a vegetable peeler can carefully remove thin strips of orange peel.
- Storage: Store cooled cranberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: This sauce freezes well. Place cooled sauce in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen. Warm gently on the stovetop or microwave. Alternatively, serve it chilled after stirring well.
