Orange Cranberry Sauce with Ginger and Cinnamon
Homemade orange cranberry sauce with brown sugar, ginger and cinnamon, ready in 25 minutes. Make it up to 5 days ahead to serve with turkey or ham.
This cranberry sauce is tart, bright and lightly spiced. It simmers in one pot in about 20 minutes and gets better after a night in the fridge.
Tips for Success
- Simmer the juice first so the spices infuse before the berries go in.
- Stir often once the berries burst, since the sugar can scorch.
- The sauce thickens as it cools, so stop cooking while it still looks slightly loose.
- Use a wide pan for faster reduction.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make it up to 5 days ahead and store in a covered jar in the fridge. Serve cold or at room temperature. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Variations
- Replace 2 tbsp of the orange juice with port.
- Add 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans at the end.
- Use maple syrup in place of half the brown sugar.
Recipe
Orange Cranberry Sauce with Ginger and Cinnamon
Prep5 minCook20 minTotal25 minServes8
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse the cranberries in a colander and pick out any soft or shriveled ones.
- Combine the orange juice, orange zest, ginger, cinnamon and allspice in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the juice has reduced by about half.
- Add the brown sugar and cranberries, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until most of the berries have burst.
- If the sauce still looks thin, simmer 5 minutes more. It thickens a lot as it cools, so don't overcook it.
- Taste and add a spoonful more sugar if the sauce is too tart. Cool to room temperature, then chill for at least 2 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cranberries for cranberry sauce?
Yes. Use them straight from the freezer. Add 2 to 3 extra minutes of simmering.
How long does homemade cranberry sauce last?
It keeps up to 5 days in a covered container in the fridge, and up to 2 months in the freezer.
Why is my cranberry sauce bitter?
Cranberries are very tart. Add more sugar a spoonful at a time, or a squeeze of extra orange juice, and cook a minute longer.
