Best Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce
A bright and delicious homemade cranberry orange sauce made with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and warm cinnamon. Perfect for holiday dinners!
By RecipeLily Editorial Team · Published November 6, 2026 · Updated November 12, 2026
Nothing completes a holiday dinner quite like a bowl of homemade cranberry orange sauce. The combination of tart cranberries, fresh orange juice, and a touch of cinnamon creates a beautiful balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
This simple recipe comes together with just a few ingredients and can be prepared ahead of time. As the sauce cools, it naturally thickens into a rich, ruby-red condiment.
Serve it alongside roasted turkey, holiday ham, or your favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes.
RecipeLily.com
Best Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
- Dairy-Free
- Prep Time
- 5 mins
- Cook Time
- 15 mins
- Additional
- 1 hr
- Total Time
- 1 hr 20 mins
- Servings
- 8
- Yield
- About 2 1/2 cups
Ingredients
Servings: 8
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the cranberries thoroughly under cold running water. Discard any soft or damaged berries. If using frozen cranberries, there is no need to thaw them.
Step 2
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, orange juice, water, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3
Add the cranberries and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most cranberries burst and the sauce begins to thicken.
Step 4
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Taste carefully once slightly cooled and adjust the sweetness if desired.
Step 5
Let the cranberry sauce cool for approximately 1 hour. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
Step 6
Transfer to a serving bowl or airtight container. Serve chilled or at room temperature, keeping refrigerated until shortly before serving.
Cook’s Notes
For a sweeter sauce, add a little more sugar to taste. For a brighter citrus flavor, add extra orange zest.
The sauce naturally thickens as it cools. If it becomes too thick, stir in a small amount of orange juice or water.
Store in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and enjoy within 3–4 days. Freeze for longer storage.
Prepare the sauce a day ahead to make holiday meal planning easier.
